I hear you on the wiring issues—older houses can be a real mixed bag. I’ve seen mesh wifi systems work surprisingly well in some tricky layouts, though. Has anyone tried running outdoor-rated ethernet to a shed? Wondering if that’s overkill or just the most reliable route.
Title: No more dead zones: how I got wifi in my backyard shed
Has anyone tried running outdoor-rated ethernet to a shed? Wondering if that’s overkill or just the most reliable route.
I get why you’d think it might be overkill, but honestly, I wouldn’t dismiss it so fast. Mesh wifi is great in theory and it *can* work wonders in odd layouts, but in my experience, even the best mesh setups struggle once you get outside the main structure—especially with those old plaster walls or original brick. My place was built in the 50s, and I found that signal just nosedives as soon as you step out the back door.
I actually went the ethernet route last year. Dug a shallow trench and ran outdoor-rated Cat6 out to my shed... and yeah, it was a weekend project, but now I’ve got rock-solid speeds out there. Zero dropouts, even during storms. If you’re planning to use the space for anything bandwidth-heavy—streaming, Zoom calls, remote work—I’d argue it’s way more reliable long-term than relying on wifi repeaters or extenders.
That said, if you’re only using the shed for light browsing or smart home stuff, maybe mesh is enough. But I’ve found that even a good mesh system can be hit or miss once you add distance and a few walls. Ever try watching a movie out there and get that endless buffering? Not fun.
Curious what others have experienced—has mesh really been enough for backyard sheds for some folks? Or am I just unlucky with my old house’s wiring and thick walls? For me, hardwiring felt like peace of mind... but maybe tech’s caught up since then.
Running outdoor-rated ethernet isn’t overkill at all, especially if you’re thinking long-term. I totally get the appeal of mesh—less digging, less hassle—but honestly, I’ve seen mesh setups get weird once you throw in thick walls or even just a few trees. My neighbor tried mesh for his little backyard art studio and it was fine for checking email, but video calls? Forget it. He ended up stringing a cable anyway.
If you’re already putting in the effort to make your shed a real workspace or hangout, hardwiring just makes sense. Plus, it’s a lot more sustainable than constantly upgrading wifi gear or dealing with extra power draw from repeaters. I love the idea of future-proofing spaces, especially if you ever want to add solar panels or smart controls out there. One trench, one cable, and you’re set for years.
That said, if you’re only streaming music or checking weather, mesh might be enough. But if you’re dreaming bigger, ethernet is just... solid. No regrets here.
Yeah, I’ve seen mesh networks get tripped up by the weirdest stuff—old brick, metal siding, even a big lilac bush. I’m with you on ethernet being the safer bet if you’re planning to do anything more than basic browsing. I’ve had folks ask about running power and data together in one trench and honestly, it’s just easier to do it all at once rather than dig twice. Sure, it’s more work up front, but you don’t want to be out there with a shovel again in two years when you realize you need more bandwidth or want to add cameras or whatever. Mesh is fine for casual use, but if you’re investing in the space, hardwiring just saves headaches down the line.
I’ve had folks ask about running power and data together in one trench and honestly, it’s just easier to do it all at once rather than dig twice.
Man, I learned that the hard way. Dug a trench for power to my little studio, then six months later, I’m out there again sweating bullets because streaming music kept dropping. Now I tell everyone—plan for more than you think you’ll need. My neighbor said I looked like a gopher with all the holes in my yard...
