As more and more garden structures are utilized as home Garden Offices or as an alternative for teenagers and the internet becoming more important frequently, we get asked how to bring internet connectivity to a backyard office, or even a shed. Wi-Fi remains among the most affordable and cost-effective methods to connect with the Internet outside your main house, so you might be wondering if you can connect WiFi to garden office.
Most times the signal from your broadband router within your home will not be sufficient to get to your area, or when it does the area, it’s weak, making efficient working difficult. However, if this is the case , there are numerous cost-effective options to you.
Wi-Fi Extender
An extender for Wi-Fi is a basic piece of equipment that performs exactly what it claims – it connects to your Wi-Fi network, and extends the signal by creating a hotspot, or bridge between your main router and your home’s garden.
Simply plug the extender into the mains of your home (in the same location as the main router relative to the building in your garden) and it “bounces” your signal and then creates a second Wi-Fi network you can connect from your garden office.
How far away from the House Can a Wi-Fi Extension reach?
Wi-Fi extenders work only in a limited range (around 30 meters) and may require several repeaters (e.g. one in your gardening workplace) for bouncing the signals from one place to another in the event that your location is further than 30m away. The most important thing to consider is that the quality of the signal gets weaker the farther it must extend. If your garden structure is far distance from your residence It is possible to think about a different method.
The pros: They’re inexpensive and simple to install. The more sophisticated models will connect automatically, without the need for a manual switching.
Pros: They come with smaller ranges, which means they’re better suited to Garden Sheds or garden buildings closer to the home.
The price range is PS20 – PS50
Powerline Networking
The powerline network utilizes the energy cable (between the garden and home building) to transfer internet’s information between two (or more) different devices (powerline adapters). It can be used in conjunction with a WiFi network, and is virtually wireless. It’s easy to install and should not require the help of an IT expert.
You can purchase a kit, which typically consists of two adaptors at a minimum each with a shorter cable called an ethernet (network) cable. The first adaptor is connected to the mains power supply and then straight connected to router using the Ethernet cable. The second adaptor is connected into the location that is remote (the gardens building) and your device (PC or laptop) is directly connected to the second adaptor using an Ethernet cable or another Wi-Fi router is connected which allows wireless connectivity to devices outside.
Pros: They’re relatively inexpensive and simple to install.
Cons The electricity must be accessible in the garden structure and connected through the exact distribution box. (Older homes may contain more than one meters).
The price range is PS20 – PS50
Ethernet Cable
Connecting an ethernet cable to your residence is safest and secure method to establish an internet connection in your garden office. This could be the most efficient alternative for a garden workplace which requires a stable and speedy internet connection.
How do I connect the Ethernet Cable to my Garden Building?
If you’re planning to supply electric power to your garden building it is recommended to make arrangements to have the Ethernet cable that is laid alongside your power cables once they are put in place. It is possible to install it later however it will require more effort.
There isn’t much technical knowledge required , and it does not require the help of an IT professional . Once you have the Ethernet cable inside the building in your garden you just need to connect it to any Wi-Fi router, or directly into a device with an Ethernet port (i.e. laptops or computers).
Pros: It guarantees an increased level of security and reliability connection.
Cons: It’s the trailing cable, which needs protection from elements or the installation of a specialist e.g. underground.
Cost range: PS20 (ethernet cable only) plus PS100 to PS200 Professional installation.
Wi-Fi PtP (Point-to-Point)
A Wi-Fi PtP can be compared to a WiFi extender however, it is much more sophisticated and usually more stable. Installation is more difficult and will require 2 units that must be set up one on the exterior of your home, and the other in the garden structure. Both require power for operation and some sort of configuration could be needed to allow the units to work to each other, and having some IT expertise is recommended.
The unit that is connected to your home is connected to your home network that transmits its signal directly to the other device on the building in the garden. This method is most effective and is most effective when there is a clear line of sight between two units. Plants, trees or outbuildings could hinder the signal.
The major benefit of the use of PtP is that its distance is significantly more than that of an ordinary Wi-Fi repeater. This is the ideal alternative if your garden is far away from your home and ethernet cabling isn’t practical for you.
Pros: They perform well across longer distances, and they’re ideal for bigger gardens.
Cons The installation is more complicated than other types of installations and require the presence of a clear line of vision.
The price range is PS150 – PS200
There’s always a way to install a secure Internet connection that is secure and safe for your garden office or room, so working from home and staying up-to-date is feasible.
