Retrofitting a home with structured cabling

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jonb

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#175609 6-Jul-2015 08:52

Planning on putting down underfloor insulation soon, and thinking it would be a good idea to put in some cat6 cabling beforehand. I like the idea but having difficulty explaining the benefits to get project sign-off.

Have one run existing double run from ONT in garage to lounge, and would be putting in about 5-6 more double runs around the house with a switch/patch panel also in garage.

Currently use wifi for everything and it is fine even with 30/10 UFB. Is it significantly harder to retrofit after underfloor insulation is in-place? Is it worth even doing at all now 802.11ac wifi is an option? With good underfloor access is it a do-able DIY project?

kingjj

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#1337597 6-Jul-2015 09:26

It's easy enough to do as a DIY and my personal opinion is you should do it, especially if you have good underfloor access. Cat6 is pretty darn cheap these days (305 metres is around $200) and the extra's don't equate to much. All up its probably cheaper to do a half a dozen double runs than it'd be to buy a good quality AC router and once's it in it's far more future proof than relying on Wifi. When I was looking for permission from SWMBO to put in some runs I explained that it would be more stable for Netflix on the fixed devices (this was a big selling point). I'm thankful I got permission now as looking at the TV cabinet alone there are already 4 devices that require a network connection which I'm hoping to raise to 6 shortly, Wifi just wouldn't cut it.

wasabi2k

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#1337645 6-Jul-2015 09:53

Wifi is great - but it isn't the be all and end all.

For devices that don't move having wired is great - one less device contending for wifi, guaranteed speed.

If you wifi is spotty just plug another AP in at the other end of the house.

Want to plug in a NAS or server somewhere out of the way - easy.

Disrespective

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#1337726 6-Jul-2015 11:28

Yeah, having hardwired points around the house is great. Decongesting the wifi is never a bad thing either, nor is the ability to extend it if the reception isn't great. If you use Cat6 I believe you can also send video signal down it if you want...

Oncop53

273 posts

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#1337729 6-Jul-2015 11:41

Yes easy to do, and I have retrofitted my house.
But think if you want to do this before or after insulation. Who will be doing the insulation? Will they be careful of your cables? Will you put them in ducting?

JWR

821 posts

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#1337743 6-Jul-2015 12:08

jonb: Planning on putting down underfloor insulation soon, and thinking it would be a good idea to put in some cat6 cabling beforehand. I like the idea but having difficulty explaining the benefits to get project sign-off.

Have one run existing double run from ONT in garage to lounge, and would be putting in about 5-6 more double runs around the house with a switch/patch panel also in garage.

Currently use wifi for everything and it is fine even with 30/10 UFB. Is it significantly harder to retrofit after underfloor insulation is in-place? Is it worth even doing at all now 802.11ac wifi is an option? With good underfloor access is it a do-able DIY project?

Just put all your wiring in plastic conduit.

Its a good idea to protect your wiring.

Then it is up to any insulation installers to work around it:)

BTR

1527 posts

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#1337839 6-Jul-2015 13:20

If your going to use Expol for your insulation you will need to install the cabling in conduit or something as the expo will react with the sheath (insulation) on the cable.

I would do the insulation first and then install the cables using catenary wire.

Goosey

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#1337846 6-Jul-2015 13:27

Assuming your floor has joists, wouldnt it be better / eaiser to run the cabling after the insulation is installed? This way you wont have run the cable over the joists etc and instead just run it flat / straight across ?

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jonb

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#1337855 6-Jul-2015 13:50

The insulation guys were looking at laying the polyester blankets as a single layer under the joists to create an air gap in addition to the insulation material. All the network points will be up against exterior walls (cedar) if that makes any difference.

elpenguino

3427 posts

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#1338955 7-Jul-2015 23:04

I would be a bit wary of the idea of laying your insulation as a big blanket. Are the going to follow every contour of the joists and bearers?

The idea of insulation is to trap air, how can this be done if there is a body of air between the floor and the blanket?

In any case, i'm all in favour of wiring up the house. It should be a standard bit of infrastructure in your house, like power in each room.

You can use it for more than Ethernet too - phone lines, video etc etc.
If you are having sockets on exterior walls you can probably follow around the bottom plate of your house - might be better to do it after the installers have done their thing. The don't usually employ rocket scientists for that job :-)

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

bfginger

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#1338958 7-Jul-2015 23:19

jonb: The insulation guys were looking at laying the polyester blankets as a single layer under the joists to create an air gap in addition to the insulation material.

With ceilings the air gap between the joists is sealed. With underfloors there is likely to be gaps above the joists. Heat rises. I'd put the polyester between the joists. The joists should be around R1.4 so they aren't big heat losers under floors unless you're in a very cold place.

Most under floor insulation doesn't have good R values so that's more important.