It is no secret that smart home technology has gained popularity in recent years. It provides homeowners a connected living experience where technology makes their homes more secure, user-friendly, and entertaining. Home builders are positioned to help their clients get the technology systems they desire, but it is crucial to understand the significance of the “digital foundation” of the home.
In this article, we explore both the importance of a reliable and robust digital network — which includes Wi-Fi — as well a well-designed wiring backbone.
Why Reliable Home Networks Are Essential
The demand for dependable, high-speed network connectivity is a must-have for today’s homeowners. They often have multiple family members simultaneously accessing the internet, streaming high-resolution video content, and utilizing smart home features. Consider this common scenario for a family of four: Both children are streaming TikTok while FaceTiming with their friends, dad is in his office on a Zoom call, and mom is listening to streaming music while the TV is on mute in the background. Then, Alexa announces a package was just delivered at the front door via the doorbell camera. These activities consume a lot of bandwidth, making a reliable network even more essential.
Types of Home Networks: Consumer, SMB/Professional, and Enterprise-Grade
There are three basic grades of network products available: consumer-grade, SMB/professional-grade and enterprise-grade.
Consumer-grade components are built to be as inexpensive as possible, typically leading to performance and security limitations. This is what you will find at big box stores and can be a DIY install.
SMB-grade (small and medium-sized business) is a big step up in performance, reliability, and security. They offer enhanced reliability and performance compared to consumer-grade, supporting higher data traffic volumes without compromising speed or stability. They provide better security features, safeguard sensitive information against cyber threats, and are designed to accommodate the growing technological needs of the increasingly connected smart home, making them a smart investment for scalability and efficiency.
Enterprise-grade networks offer unparalleled performance, scalability, and cybersecurity. They are designed to meet the rigorous demands of larger homes and homes with many connected devices. They feature advanced security protocols and network management tools to protect against sophisticated cyber threats and ensure seamless operation. Furthermore, enterprise-grade networks offer extensive scalability and customization options, enabling network technicians to tailor the network infrastructure to specific needs, supporting multiple users and devices easily with high reliability.
As you can see, unlike networking equipment available from a local internet provider or retail establishment, a professionally installed SMB or enterprise-grade network supports bandwidth-intensive applications of numerous devices throughout an entire home.
Installing an SMB or enterprise-grade network is typically beyond most DIYers' skillset—especially when configuring a highly secure network. A qualified home technology integrator can install these systems and remotely monitor the health of the network, and update the software running it to help protect the home against cyber attacks.
How can you determine which digital network option is right for your client? It depends. Contact a qualified local home technology integrator for recommendations based on your client’s specific network performance, reliability and security requirements. Larger luxury homes demand the use of SMB or preferably enterprise-grade networks, though clients with smaller homes may opt for this same network due to the quality of performance and security.
The Importance of a Strong Wiring Backbone in Home Networks
One might assume that pre-wiring a new home has become obsolete due to the popularity of having a Wi-Fi connection. This is not true. In fact, having a robust wiring infrastructure is the backbone of a reliable and secure smart home.
If the home is larger than 1,800 square feet, the rule of thumb is that you need more than one wireless access point to ensure a strong Wi-Fi signal. While not mandatory, most Wi-Fi device manufacturers will tell you that, optimally, each wireless access point is connected with a wire. So, yes, you’ll need wires to go wireless properly. There is technology available that allows for wireless access points that do not require hardwiring, such as a mesh network, but this isn’t ideal.
Generally, a home needs one wireless access point for every 1,350 square feet. Devices that need wireless access should be no more than 25 feet away from an access point. Construction materials and the possible request for outdoor Wi-Fi access can complicate the issue. Therefore, getting advice from a qualified home technology integrator is best.
According to the Home Technology Association (HTA), which created a certification program for well-qualified home technology integration companies, a strong cabling backbone ensures high-performance connectivity throughout the entire home. It allows for the seamless integration and interoperability of various technologies including security systems, climate control, audio/video systems, lighting, motorized shades and other smart-home technologies. Keep in mind that an inadequate wiring infrastructure can lead to slow internet speeds, network congestion, flaky smart-home performance, and, ultimately, frustration for the homeowner.
Consult an Expert for Home Wiring Installation Needs
Builders should be aware that there is a defined standard for pre-wiring homes called “ANSI/TIA 570-D.” Be mindful that there are wiring options. However, where to locate Wi-Fi wireless access points is not addressed in the article. That is why it’s best to consult with a qualified home technology integrator so they can help with all the home’s wiring needs. This might include outdoor entertainment systems and conduits to outbuildings. By not consulting with an integrator and only following the ANSI/TIA 570D guidelines, you are more likely to "overwire" some locations and underwire others, which will eventually lead to complications.
Recommending that your clients invest in a well-designed cabling infrastructure during their home’s construction phase helps ensure the house is optimized for performance and security. Read the HTA’s article "Why a Smart Home Needs a Strong Wiring Backbone" for more information.
Why You Should Always Run Wire
The modern home requires a cabling infrastructure for optimal network performance. A wired network connection can deliver up to a 10-gigabit connection. By comparison, a wireless access point connected to another wireless access point is somewhere in the megabit range. The gigabit connection offers 10 times the speed. Keep in mind that with the proliferation of high-definition television and movie streaming, your clients will want their TVs hardwired to the network to have the best picture quality without pixelation — and to free up the Wi-Fi network for other, less-bandwidth-intensive uses.
Seek the Help of Trained Professionals
There’s no cookie-cutter solution for designing a home network. The network topology will differ based on the Wi-Fi environment and homeowner needs. Understanding the complexities of designing and implementing a reliable smart-home system is challenging. The good news is that you don’t have to be an expert. Pre-wiring, cabling, and network design and installation are just a few of the many systems that qualified home technology integrators provide.
If you are a custom home builder, it’s crucial that you work with an integrator who provides technology consulting and design services and meets high industry standards. The HTA Certified standard was created to differentiate integration firms that meet a very high standard of qualification criteria that only the top 10% of integrators can achieve (see the directory of companies that meet the standard). Other professional certifications related to pre-wiring and networking are available through firms that have CEDIA CIT, IST and Networking Specialist certified employees on staff. Learn more at cedia.org.
Be Proactive
Recognizing the significance of a strong wiring backbone and reliable networks is essential for creating modern homes that exceed homeowner expectations. By embracing the digital foundation and collaborating with a qualified integration firm, you can deliver future-proof, reliable and cutting-edge smart homes for your clients.
Since your clients will be interacting with their home’s technology systems daily (think home security, Wi-Fi, lighting, climate, audio/video), it’s important to assess their needs early so there are no surprises such as late change orders or project delays. To help with this, download HTA’s shareable Project Technology Assessment Form, have your client fill it out and give the completed form to your integrator for further guidance.
Alternatively, you can contact your integrator and let them handle the technology needs assessment for you. Technology needs should be determined before obtaining framing, electrical and HVAC bids. If you would like an estimate of what prewire and network system costs are, access the technology budget calculator here.
About the Authors
Josh Christian is the CEO of the Home Technology Association (HTA), a consumer-facing association that created the industry’s first and only standard of professionalism for home technology integration firms. His passion is connecting build and design professionals with the most qualified home technology integrators. Josh enjoys teaching at IBS and other builder and designer-focused trade associations, sharing tools and advice on how they can meet their clients’ technology needs while minimizing technology-related change orders and project delays.
Katye McGregor Bennett has created compelling conversations and campaigns for nearly 30 years. Katye and the team at KMB Communications work with leading brands in the residential and commercial tech space to articulate, elevate, and amplify their messaging to reach their intended audiences.
Lisa Montgomery has more than 20 years under her belt covering all things electronic for the home. Lisa has developed a knack for knowing what types of products and systems make sense for homeowners looking to update their abodes.
Note: This article was written for custom home builders. The original version resides on NAHB at this link, though you must be a logged-in NAHB member to access it.
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