BLOCKED
People are just realising Wi-Fi signals are blocked by six common materials – move your router now for faster internet
IF your Wi-Fi is lagging there's a strong chance it's because of these common household materials.
Your router transmits radio waves to communicate with your iPhone, laptop and everything else that relies on these days.
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But some materials can disrupt or entirely block the connection.
Building materials have the most impact.
But physical objects and radio waves from other devices aren't ideal either, according to experts from .
Here are the ones to watch out for in your home.
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Metal
Metal is the material that radio waves will have the toughest time passing through.
This is because metal is a conductor of electricity and radio waves are electromagnetic.
So metal, including that from metal furniture, doors, blinds and walls, can undermine the connectivity.
Concrete walls
Concrete is a notoriously thick building material, so it's no surprise that Wi-Fi signals also struggle to pass through it.
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This, paired with metal laths for an even more impenetrable wall.
Ceramic tiles
Commonly used on walls and floors, mastic - the material used to install ceramic tiles on plaster or drywall - is also a Wi-Fi killer.
And unsurprisingly, a mix of all these materials increases the amount of Wi-Fi interference you might be wrestling with.
Window and glass
Similarly to metal, glass also reflects the radio waves.
Low-E windows or ones covered in metallic film will interfere with your internet connection.
Mirror
Perhaps the most shocking material in your home that's secretly messing with your internet speeds are mirrors.
Mirrors consist of a thin coat of metal on a piece of glass which causes electromagnetic interference.
So remember: the bigger the mirror, the greater the interference.
So, what do I do about it?
Like we said before, no one's asking you to knock your house down and rebuild.
Thankfully, there is a cheaper and more stress free option.
If you're struggling with Wi-Fi dark spots in your home, where there is little to no internet connection, then you should consider upgrading your to a mesh broadband system.
A mesh network is a group of smaller Wi-Fi routers that act as a single network.
Mini hubs plugged in around the house talk to the main router but also bounce signals out to quieter corners of the home.
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With a mesh system, there are multiple sources of connectivity around your house instead of just a single router.
Your internet service provider is likely to already offer this, so simply check their website for an upgrade.
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