Which one?

A stick-on towel rail or a screwed one?

Updated 5 Nov 2026

A stick-on rail goes only on a surface its maker names, with the maker's own adhesive. A screwed rail needs a fixing that suits the wall behind the tiles or plaster.

A stick-on towel rail

Where it goes: Only on a surface its maker names. For its Smooz towel rod, tesa says: Works on tiles, metal, natural stone, marble, concrete, wood, glass and many types of plastic. Not for: Does not work on wallpaper, stucco and other surfaces with non-stick coating.
What it needs: The maker's own adhesive kit, a cleaned tile and time. tesa describes the rod as Towel rod, with tesa® Power.Kit technology (all-in-one adhesive mounting solution), and its product sheet gives Curing time 12 hour(s).
How it comes down: By the maker's steps. tesa says the rod is Removable without a trace and reusable with adapter BK20-2.
Which maker's figure applies: The rail maker's own figure, for the rail as it is sold and on the surfaces it names. Our towel rail guide gives tesa's, and Will it hold? compares your own item with it.

Source: tesa, tesa Smooz towel rod, Product Information BNR 40320, en-GB, as of 25/02/25. Checked 13 Oct 2026.

A screwed towel rail

Where it goes: On the wall, screwed into plugs or fixings. On a tiled wall, the fixing is chosen for the wall behind the tiles.
What it needs: A drill, a tile bit to start on a tile, and a check for cables and pipes first. Bosch says: Choose the right drill bit. Use glass and tile drill bits for soft and medium tiles and diamond drill bits for drilling porcelain and natural stone tiles.
How it comes down: Unscrewed, and the holes stay in the tile or the wall. Shelter lists holes in walls or doors among the things a deposit can be charged for in England.
Which maker's figure applies: The rail maker's own rating, and the wall fixing's recommended load for one fixing; the lower of the two applies. What's my wall? gives the fixing, drill bit and screw: choose Tiles over a wall, then the wall behind them.

Sources: Bosch DIY, How to drill into tiles: Tips for damage-free holes in tiles. Checked 13 Oct 2026; Shelter England, Damage and missing items (deposit deductions, last updated 6 May 2024). Checked 12 Oct 2026.