An outdoor workspace is a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
With many of us still working from home or hybrid working, garden rooms have increased in popularity.
However, one of the main difficulties when working from a garden space is having access to the internet and ensuring a good wifi signal.
An outdoor garden office needs a reliable and fast internet connection to ensure you can get your job done efficiently.
To bring internet access to your garden room, there are several different options available depending on where you live and what infrastructure already exists.
In this article we will look at the options available including:
- Ethernet Cables
- Extend Wi fi
- Wireless connection
- Wi fi Repeater
- Starlink
- Internet data devices
Getting Power to your Garden building
The first step to installing internet in your garden office is to make sure you have a reliable power source. If there’s already a socket available, then great but if not, you will need to ensure an electrical power cable reaches your garden building.
Shielded Wire Armour (SWA) cable can be used to deliver power from an outdoor consumer unit to your garden office.
These power cables will need to be professionally installed by a qualified electrician and you may also need planning permission depending on your local laws.
Ethernet Port
A Point to point Ethernet cable is the most reliable way of getting a strong and stable connection to your garden office.
This will involve running a CAT5 or CAT6 cable from your wi fi router located in the home, through the wall and into the outdoor workspace.
The main benefit of this option is that it’s cost-effective and offers fast download speeds.
Additionally, ethernet cable connections are reliable and not subject to any external interference like wireless internet signals can be.
If you’re not technically inclined, we’d recommend contacting one of our approved home networking installers who can help from planning to completing a full network installation.
Wireless Network
If you’re unable to get an Ethernet cable connection, then wireless internet is another option.
The advantage of this is that there are no wires running from your home to the garden office and it offers a good connection from up to 50 meters away.
The downside however is that wireless connections can be more unreliable than an Ethernet cable connection, as the signal is subject to external interference.
You will need a good quality wifi router with strong antennae and a wi fi extender in order to make sure the signal can reach your garden office.
Wi Fi Extender
To extend wifi coverage to your outdoor workspace, you will need to invest in a range extender.
This device amplifies the wi fi signal from your router and helps to reduce any dropouts in connection or speed issues.
It is important to ensure that you purchase the correct wireless extender for your home network as different models are suitable for various routers.
Once you have installed a range extender, you should enjoy a strong and reliable connection in your outdoor workspace.
Wi Fi Repeaters
Wi Fi repeaters will extend your network coverage to multiple garden offices and outside spaces.
These work well for larger properties and businesses with multiple users.
However, there is a downside in that Wi Fi repeaters can slow down the speed of the connection as each user on the network will be competing for bandwidth.
Wireless access point
If you have a lot of devices working from your garden building, then a wireless access point might be a better option than using an extender.
This device connects to your existing wi fi router and creates an additional wi fi signal which is especially useful if you are working in an area with many walls or obstacles.
The main advantage of a wireless access point is a more consistent connection and more reliable coverage than an extender.
Separate 4G/LTE internet
If there is no internet connection available at your garden office, then you may need to invest in a separate 4G/LTE service.
Many mobile network providers now offer unlimited data plans which are suitable for business use.
You will need either an external aerial or an internal router depending on your location and the signal strength in your area.
These can be relatively expensive to install but might be worth it if you’re working from your garden office on a regular basis.
Use a Portable Hotspot
A portable hotspot is a small device that creates an internet connection via cellular networks. This makes it easy to get online in areas where there’s no traditional broadband service.
Many hotspots are powered by USB, so you can bring one with you anywhere.
You will need to pay for a data plan, but it can be a cost-effective way to get reliable internet wherever you go.
Starlink Wifi Connection
Starlink is a satellite internet service which provides high-speed connection to a remote location and rural areas.
If you are located in an area with limited access to traditional broadband services, then Starlink can offer speeds up to 1Gbps and a reliable connection.
The downside however is that it involves a significant upfront cost for the installation and the hardware.
But if you are in need of a reliable internet connection then Starlink can provide an excellent solution.
You will need a professional to install the hardware, such as the satellite dish and the wi fi router, you will also need a clear line of sight from your garden office to the sky.
Secure internet connection
It is important to ensure that any internet connection you use in your garden office is secure.
This means setting up a password-protected wi fi network and making sure all communication between devices is encrypted.
You should also install antivirus software on any devices connected to the network to protect against malicious attacks.
If you are using a mobile hotspot or 4G/LTE connection, then make sure that you only use websites with secure connections (HTTPS).
This will help to keep your data safe while you’re working from home.
Keeping the wi fi signal secure is also important for any guests who may be using your network in your garden office.
Connecting to the Internet to your Garden Office
Getting Internet to your garden building does not need to be a difficult process.
The options available are dependent on your price range, location and the type of internet connection you require.
Ethernet cables provide the most reliable connection with minimal interference.
If an ethernet cable is not possible then wireless connections can be a good solution, although it is important to invest in a good quality router and extender.
You may also need to consider using a 4G/LTE service, portable hotspot, or Starlink if traditional broadband is not available.
No matter what option you choose, having the right internet connection will make your work from home experience much more enjoyable.
