Why outbuildings are hard to cover
- Distance. A shed at the bottom of the section can be well beyond a router's reach.
- Walls in the way. The signal has to pass through your house walls first, then the walls of the outbuilding.
- Metal. Steel cladding, metal roofing and foil-backed insulation block WiFi very effectively.
- Outdoor conditions. Gear used outside needs to cope with rain, dust and temperature swings.
Your main options
1. A cable to the outbuilding (most reliable)
A network cable run to the sleepout or shed lets us fit an access point inside it. This gives the steadiest connection because it does not depend on the signal passing through walls. The cable route has to be practical and protected, for example in conduit.
2. An outdoor access point on the house
For decks, patios and garden areas, a weather-rated access point mounted on an outside wall can cover the space directly.
3. A wireless link between buildings
Where a cable is not practical, a pair of devices can link the two buildings wirelessly across a clear line of sight. It suits some properties but needs checking on site.
4. A plug-in extender (last resort)
An extender can work for a sleepout close to the house with few walls in between. Over distance, or through metal, it often disappoints.
What we check before recommending one
- how far the building is from the house, and what is in between
- what the walls, roof and insulation are made of
- whether the outbuilding has power for the equipment
- where a cable could run, if one is an option
- how the space is used: streaming, video calls, a home office or a guest room
Any mains electrical work, such as adding a power point to a shed, must be done by a licensed electrician. We plan the WiFi around what is there or what your electrician installs.
Covering the rest of the house too
Outbuildings are easiest to get right when they are planned together with the main house. Our guide to fixing WiFi dead spots covers indoor causes. We work across Queenstown and Glenorchy.