5 Renovation Mistakes ThatSlow Down Your WiFi

For most of us, deciding on the right design for our home often revolves around theusuals; what theme should your new home be, or what is the best way to squeeze inmore storage space?

But, what we don’t think about is how our home’s layout can actually affect how wellour internet works! Considering how everything’s smart these days and we can’tspend a day without surfing the net, it’s pretty important in our books. So, don’t justcreate a gorgeous home – here are 5 blunders to avoid for smoother, faster WiFi.

Mistake #1: Skipping Out on LAN Access Points

Interior designer: A-rk Interior

Just like electrical sockets, determining the number of LAN access points isessential when doing up your wiring. Sure, you can connect multiple devices viayour router’s WiFi signal, but overloading it could significantly reduce its efficiency,leading to patchy, slow speeds.

Sometimes, the traditional LAN access point is the best way to ensure stable,speedy internet coverage, especially for devices like smart TVs or computers. Planahead and determine how many data-heavy gadgets you will use in each room.

Mistake #2: Thinking of Carpentry First Before YourWiring

Interior designer: DB Studio

It’s one thing to know how many LAN access points you need – but another to placeit. We’ve heard of renovation slip-ups where homeowners are unable to install theirLAN points, thanks to built-ins getting in the way.

That’s why it’s important to discuss with your interior designer and mark out areaswhere you’d like to install your routers and access cables first in your floor plan. Afterwhich, you can work a design around them. Don’t forget to include additional powerpoints in the same areas as well – considering how you’d be plugging in electricaldevices there too.

Mistake #3: Concealing Your Router with Carpentry

Interior designer: The Interior.Look

We get it – routers aren’t exactly pieces of art to frame up. But placing them in ahidden, partitioned corner or inside your TV console are a bad idea, as walls andother surfaces serve as obstructions which weaken your WiFi’s signal.

So, what are some ways to counter it? As WiFi signals spread downwards, it may bebetter to construct an open-shelf higher up on your wall for placing the router. Also,avoid installing reflective surfaces, electrical devices or water features near it - whichwill interfere with broadcasts.

Mistake #4: Ignoring Your Home’s Layout

Interior designer: The Local Inn.terior

Your router is not an end-all, be-all solution that can cut through every object; WiFisignals are often reflected, diverted or even absorbed into various parts of yourhome, thus affecting your internet connection. While it may seem reasonable toplace your router near an entertainment hub, the best place to set up your router isin fact the center of your home!

Mark out areas in your floor plan that are relatively centralised and free from walls orother partitions. Otherwise, an open-concept layout helps too - less walls means lessobstacles for it to reach your device. Nevertheless, those solutions can be prettycostly in renovation (all that hacking and re-wiring). So, if you’re looking for lessextensive work, consider WiFi Mesh Systems from ISPs like Singtel that help extendyour WiFi coverage.

Mistake #5: Missing Out on WiFi Dead Zones

Interior designer: 82

One of the toughest parts of setting up a WiFi network at home? There will alwaysbe some areas that will suffer from weak signal strength. This could be a result of along distance or multiple walls between the location and the wireless router orinterference from appliances and cordless phones.

One quick solution to beat these WiFi dead zones is to set up additional routers inthese areas. But then the question becomes, "How do I connect these wirelessrouters together?" That’s where a WiFi Mesh router system – which features multipleconnecting routers spread around your house - comes in handy. These WiFi mesheswirelessly connect to blanket your home in consistently fast, reliable WiFi with itssimple plug-and-play installation. Even better, you can do away with ugly trunking orlaying cables and your family will be streaming, surfing, and gaming simultaneouslywithout lag anywhere in the home.

Get the Best of Both Worlds

Interior designer: Happe Interior Design

If trunking or laying cables is not ideal for your home layout and design, you canconsider AirTies WiFi Mesh System @ $10/month to eliminate WiFi dead zones inyour home! AirTies WiFi Mesh is easy to install - simply plug and play and it will casta mesh network that blankets your home with WiFi coverage. What’s more, itensures consistent speed throughout your home WiFi network, giving you aseamless surfing experience from any corner of your home. Find out more aboutWiFi Mesh at www.singtel.com/wifimesh.

Exclusively for Qanvast readers, enjoy the first 7 months FREE* when yousubscribe now to Singtel’s 1 Gbps Fibre Broadband Plan. Plus, leave the installationin Singtel’s good hands; Singtel’s friendly installers will provide end-to-endinstallation, advise on handy tips and tricks to optimize your WiFi coverage, provide24/7 support hotline, remote troubleshooting and more! Click here for moreinformation. Surf, stream, upload and download - future proofing your home forgrowing multimedia needs (and your smart home device obsession) has never beeneasier.

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This article is brought to you by Singtel.