EXTENDING your Wi-Fi out in the garden is perfect for an impromptu office set up on a warm day or a makeshift cinema in the evenings.
Here are four ways to do it.
Wi-Fi booster
The easiest way to extend your internet connection is by getting your hands on a Wi-Fi extender.
Wi-Fi boosters essentially pick up the internet emitting from your main box and spit it out further.
They can be used to eliminate Wi-Fi dark spots at home, or to push your broadband into the garden.
You can sometimes get Wi-Fi extenders free from your network provider.
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Getting the gadget from the same company that provided your router can actually boost your internet more than a pricier alternative from elsewhere.
Although it's important to note these only work at a short range of roughly 30metres.
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Powerline Networking
A powerline network uses an electrical power cable between the home and a garden building, like a shed, to deliver internet.
It works alongside your home Wi-Fi network, and does not need an IT professional to install.
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However, the garden building will need to have a working plug socket inside.
With a Powerline Networking kit, you essentially get at least two adaptors each with their own ethernet cable.
One adaptor is plugged into the mains and connected to your main Wi-Fi router with the ethernet cable.
The second adaptor is plugged into the garden building, and is either plugged straight into a device, like your laptop, or another Wi-Fi router.
Ethernet Cable
Running an ethernet cable is arguably the best option for a garden office that requires a reliable and fast internet connection.
That being said, it does require a cable trailing across the garden.
The ethernet cable is either plugged straight into your device, or another Wi-Fi router that you can keep in the shed or garage - depending on your set up.
If the cable runs through the garden for extended periods, it will require shielding from elements or professional installation underground.
Wi-Fi Point-to-Point
A Wi-Fi Point-to-Point, or WiFi PtP, is similar to a Wi-Fi extender but the installation is more complex - so it may be better suited for someone for tech-savvy.
Although it's trickier to install, you'll get a more reliable and further-reaching connection as the payoff.
It requires two units to be installed: one on the outside of your house and another on a garden building.
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The unit attached to your house is connected to the home Wi-Fi router, which transmits a signal to the second device mounted on the garden building.
This works best when there is clear line of sight between the two units - trees or shrubbery will interfere with the signal.
What appliances interfere with your WiFi?
Avoid placing your router near these...
- Speakers
- TV
- Microwave
- Oven
- Christmas lights
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Washing machine
- Cordless phone
- Kettle
- Toaster
- Water pipes
- Other people’s WiFi routers