Why Your Router Is Not Enough
High-Performance Home Networks Start at the Foundation
If your internet feels sluggish or unreliable, the problem may not be what you think. If you’ve already checked with your service provider and things are squared away there, then the issue is more likely to be with your network design.
Most homeowners rely on a single consumer-grade router, expecting it to handle streaming, smart devices, security cameras, and video calls all at once. Even the best retail router can’t deliver consistent performance in a luxury home filled with bandwidth-hungry technology.
Professional network design makes all the difference. At Encore Audio Video, we build home network systems engineered for long-term speed, stability, and scalability, starting with a solid foundation. Learn more about how we do it below.
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Top 4 Signs You’ve Outgrown Your Router
- Dead Zones: Wi-Fi cuts out in certain rooms or outdoor areas.
- Slow Speeds: Streaming or video calls lag when others are online.
- Device Overload: Too many connected devices cause random disconnects.
- Frequent Resets: You’re rebooting the router weekly to keep everything running smoothly.
The Backbone: Structured Cabling
A strong home network starts with physical wiring; you can consider it the arteries that carry data throughout the home. While Wi-Fi is convenient, it depends on a wired infrastructure to move information efficiently. Structured cabling provides dedicated lines for your smart TVs, media servers, gaming consoles, and home office setups.
This foundation ensures that wireless bandwidth is preserved for mobile devices, rather than being overloaded by stationary systems. Properly designed cabling also reduces latency, interference, and signal loss, allowing each room to receive the speed it’s intended to.
Centralized Control Through Managed Switching
Think of managed network switches as the brain of your home network. Instead of relying on multiple disconnected routers and extenders, a centralized switch system connects every cable, access point, and connected device into one intelligent hub.
Professional-grade switches monitor performance, manage traffic, and isolate issues before they cause data loss or dropouts. This not only makes troubleshooting easier, but also maintains consistent performance, even when dozens of devices are connected simultaneously.
Enterprise-Grade Access Points Provide Wi-Fi Without Weak Spots
Typical home routers push wireless signals from a single location, leaving distant rooms with weak connections. Enterprise-grade access points address this issue by utilizing multiple antenna arrays, higher power output, and precise placement, all of which are designed by our networking professionals.
Encore Audio Video installs and calibrates these access points strategically throughout your home to create seamless Wi-Fi coverage. You can walk from your kitchen to your patio while streaming music or video without a single interruption.
Load Balancing for Smooth Performance in Every Device
When multiple family members stream, game, and join video calls simultaneously, a traditional router can’t manage bandwidth fairly. Load balancing intelligently distributes network traffic so that every device gets what it needs automatically.
This means a Zoom meeting in your office won’t drop when someone starts a 4K movie in the media room. It also keeps smart home systems, security feeds, and automation platforms running smoothly behind the scenes.
Designed for the Way You Live
Plug-and-play networking gear may work in small homes, but luxury residences require something more robust. Encore Audio Video designs and installs custom, enterprise-level networks tailored to your floor plan, devices, and lifestyle.
By combining cabling, managed infrastructure, and expert configuration, we create networks that deliver consistent performance regardless of the number of people online. You get faster streaming and more reliable smart home control without a second thought.
We Keep Portland Homeowners Connected
Your home’s technology is only as strong as the network beneath it. Let our team engineer a networking plan that performs beautifully for work, play, and everything in between.