As more and more garden structures are utilized as home Garden Offices or as an escape route for teens with internet access becoming more important frequently, we get asked how to connect an internet access to your outdoor office space or shed. Wi-Fi is one of the most convenient and affordable methods of connecting with the Internet outside your main house, so you might be wondering if you can connect Wi-Fi to your office in the garden.
Most of the time the signal from your broadband router within your home isn’t enough strong to reach your location , or even when it does it, it’s very weak, making efficient working difficult. If you’re in this situation, there are a variety of cost-effective options available to you.
Wi-Fi Extender
A Wi-Fi extender is small device that does exactly what it claims – it connects to your Wi-Fi network and then extends the signal to create a hotspot or bridge between your main router and the garden.
The extender is simply plugged into the mains of your home (in the same location as the main router relative to the building in your garden) This “bounces” your signal, and also creates an additional Wi-Fi network you can connect to from the garden office.
How far from the house can a wifi to garden office connection reach?
The Wi-Fi extenders can only be effective for a short distance (around 30 meters) and it is possible that you will require several repeaters (e.g. one in your gardening or office) 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 the fact that signal gets weaker the more distance it needs to be able to reach. If your garden is located a far distance from your residence It is possible to look at a different approach.
Pros: They’re cheap and easy to set up. The more sophisticated models will connect automatically, without the need for a manual switching.
Pros: They come with less space, so they are better suited for Garden Sheds or garden buildings close to your home.
Prices: PS20 – PS50
Powerline Networking
A powerline network makes use of the energy cable (between the garden and home building) to transmit internet’s data to two (or more) different devices (powerline adapters). It can be used in conjunction with a WiFi network, and is virtually wireless. It’s simple to set up and should not need the help of an IT expert.
It is possible to purchase a basic kit that usually includes at minimum two adaptors that come with their own shorter Ethernet (network) cable. The first adaptor is connected to the mains, and is direct connected to the router via the Ethernet cable. The second adaptor is connected into the location that is remote (the gardening building) and your device (PC or laptop) is directly connected to the second adaptor via 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 A: Electricity must be present within your garden and connected into the distribution unit. (Older properties might contain more than one meters).
The price range is PS20 – PS50
Ethernet Cable
An ethernet cable running from your house is the safest and reliable way to get an internet connection in your garden office. This could be the most efficient alternative for a garden workplace that needs a stable and speedy internet connection.
How do I Connect the Ethernet Cable to my Garden Building?
If you’re planning to provide electric power to your garden building it is recommended to make arrangements the installation of the Ethernet cable laid alongside your power cables once they are put in place. It is possible to install it later but it will require extra effort.
A minimum of technical know-how is needed, so it doesn’t require the help of an IT professional . Once you have an 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 an installation by a professional e.g. underground.
Prices: 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 Wi-Fi extender however, it is more advanced and generally more stable. Installation is more difficult and will require 2 units that must be set up on the outside of your home, and the other on the building that is in your garden. Both require power in order to function and some sort of configuration could be needed to allow the two units to be able to communicate with one another, therefore an understanding of IT expertise is recommended.
The device that is attached to your home is connected to your home network that transmits its signal directly to the second device that is mounted on the building in the garden. This is the best solution and the signal is most effective when there is a clear line of sight between two units. Plants, trees or outbuildings may cause interference to the signal.
The major benefit of the use of PtP is that its coverage is much higher than an ordinary Wi-Fi repeater. It is definitely the best option for a garden that is far away from your home and ethernet cabling isn’t practical for you.
Pros: They perform well for longer distances, which is why they’re better suited to large gardens.
Cons The installation is more complicated than other types of installations and require an open line of sight.
Prices: PS150 – PS200
There’s always a way to get a reliable Internet connection that is secure and safe for your garden office room, which means working from home while keeping current is still an option.
