Building or Renovating? Plan Your Wi-Fi, CCTV & Smart Home Before Plaster
Power points aren’t the only thing worth planning before the walls close.
Modern homes increasingly rely on network infrastructure for Wi-Fi, security cameras, televisions, intercoms and smart home technology.
Unfortunately, these systems are often considered after construction is nearly finished.
That’s when installation becomes harder.
Start With the Network
A good connected home starts with a good network.
During construction, consider Ethernet cabling for:
- TVs
- Home offices
- Gaming areas
- Wi-Fi access points
- CCTV cameras
- Video intercoms
- Network equipment
- Smart home devices
Even if you don’t install every device immediately, having appropriate cabling available can make future upgrades considerably easier.
Plan Wi-Fi Before Buying the Router
Don’t assume one router will cover the entire property.
Large and double-storey homes may benefit from multiple wireless access points.
Planning ceiling access point locations during construction allows Ethernet to be installed before plaster, giving you much more flexibility when the network is commissioned.
Pre-Wire Your CCTV
CCTV is another system worth thinking about early.
Consider where cameras may eventually be required:
- Front entrance
- Driveway
- Garage
- Side access
- Rear entrance
- Backyard
Pre-cabling suitable locations can produce a cleaner finished installation and reduce the need for difficult retrofitting later.
Think About the TV
If you’re wall mounting televisions, consider what’s going behind them.
Depending on the setup, you may need:
- Power
- Ethernet
- HDMI
- Antenna
- Audio cabling
- Conduit for future cables
A beautifully wall-mounted television doesn’t look quite as good with cables hanging underneath it.
What About Smart Home Automation?
Smart homes don’t necessarily mean having an app for every light bulb.
A properly considered system can bring compatible lighting, climate, sensors, security and other devices together.
Platforms such as Home Assistant, Apple Home, Google Home and Matter can form part of that conversation depending on what the property requires.
The important part is planning interoperability rather than buying disconnected smart devices one at a time.
Create a Central Network Location
For larger installations, consider a dedicated location for networking equipment.
This may contain equipment such as:
- Router/gateway
- Network switches
- Patch panels
- CCTV recorder
- Smart home equipment
Having infrastructure organised centrally can make maintenance and future expansion much easier.
New Build & Smart Home Installation Melbourne
Aussie Vision helps Melbourne homeowners plan data cabling, Wi-Fi, CCTV, smart home and media infrastructure for new builds and renovations.
Instead of treating security, networking and smart technology as completely separate systems, we can consider how they’ll work together.
The best time to install hidden technology is while you can still see inside the walls.
Done Once. Done Right.
