Quick summary
Older homes in Westchester — plaster‑and‑lath, stone foundations, heavy trim — are harder on Wi‑Fi than open‑plan new construction. The platform you choose matters, but placement and wiring usually matter more.
We typically recommend UniFi when you want ceiling‑mounted access points, wired backhaul and fine‑grained control; Eero when you prefer a simple, app‑driven system that just behaves; and Deco when you want strong Wi‑Fi 7 performance at a competitive price. In all three cases, planning around materials, using Ethernet where you can, and keeping nodes in the open makes a bigger difference than chasing theoretical top speeds.
Why older construction makes Wi‑Fi tricky
Plaster over wood or metal lath, stone chimney stacks, dense framing and built‑ins all attenuate wireless signals more than modern drywall. Homes that have been renovated in layers may mix materials on a single floor, creating strong rooms, weak rooms and narrow corridors of good coverage.
In practice this means a one‑box router on a shelf rarely reaches every corner consistently. Mesh systems help, but only when nodes are placed thoughtfully and, ideally, wired together. Understanding how your walls behave is the first step before choosing a platform.
- Plaster on wood lath usually causes moderate loss; metal lath can behave like a partial shield
- Stone or brick walls often require an access point on each side rather than trying to broadcast through
- Finished basements and attic conversions introduce additional layers and soffits that block signal
- Furniture, mirrors and built‑ins can create local dead spots even when the overall plan looks solid
UniFi, Eero and Deco at a glance
All three platforms can deliver stable Wi‑Fi in older homes when deployed correctly. The differences are in how they are managed, where they work best, and how much flexibility you have when the layout is challenging.
| Platform | Best fit | Management style | Backhaul options | When we recommend it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UniFi | Whole‑home and small‑office networks where ceilings and cabling are accessible | Controller‑based, with detailed visibility and tuning | Strong wired backhaul support; PoE ceiling APs; wireless only when needed | You want structured cabling, ceiling APs and long‑term flexibility. |
| Eero | Apartments, townhomes and smaller colonials where simplicity is the priority | App‑only, auto‑tuned with minimal manual settings | Works with both wired and wireless backhaul; easy node additions | You prefer a straightforward app and don’t need deep configuration. |
| Deco | Homes where Wi‑Fi 7 and higher multi‑gig performance are a focus | App‑driven with more advanced features exposed for power users | Strong wired backhaul and multi‑gig ports on higher‑end models | You want Wi‑Fi 7 capability with flexible backhaul and good value. |
How we think about ‘best Wi‑Fi’ in an old house
Rather than chasing a single ‘best’ system, we look at how each option fits the house and the people living in it. In plaster‑and‑stone homes, we prioritize stable calls, streaming and work tools over peak speed results in a single room.
That usually means wiring at least one node per floor, placing radios in open corridors or ceilings instead of cabinets, and choosing channel widths that leave air‑time for many devices. The platform is there to support those decisions, not the other way around.
- Start with a simple floor plan and mark plaster, stone and heavy built‑ins
- Decide where people work, join calls, stream TV and play games
- Plan primary node placement in open, central locations on each level
- Use wired backhaul where feasible; fall back to wireless only when necessary
When we recommend UniFi in plaster and stone homes
UniFi fits best when you are willing to run Ethernet, add a small rack or panel, and mount access points on ceilings or high walls. In older homes this lets us steer around plaster and stone by placing radios in corridors and stair landings, then feeding them with PoE from a central switch.
The UniFi controller also provides clear visibility into how each radio performs, which helps when layouts are complex or when you want to support many work‑from‑home users, smart devices and cameras over time.
- Ceiling or high‑wall APs placed in corridors, not tucked in cabinets
- PoE switches feeding each AP, often in the basement or a small closet rack
- Conservative channel widths (20–40 MHz) and modest transmit power for roaming
- Room to grow into VLANs, guest networks and more advanced policies later
When we recommend Eero in older homes
Eero suits projects where you want reliable Wi‑Fi with very little day‑to‑day management. In many Westchester colonials and townhomes, a wired primary Eero on the main floor plus one or two wired or carefully placed wireless nodes is enough to cover daily use.
We pay close attention to where Eero units sit: open shelves, console tables and corridor surfaces generally outperform entertainment cabinets or enclosed built‑ins. Whenever possible, wiring the main node and at least one satellite calms mid‑room performance in plaster homes.
- Good for families that prefer an app‑driven, low‑touch system
- Works well when the ISP modem can be bridged and hidden near the primary Eero
- Benefits from at least partial Ethernet backhaul where cable paths exist
- Still needs thoughtful placement away from metal racks and closed cabinets
eero Max 7 Wi‑Fi 7 Mesh Router
- Tri-band Wi‑Fi 7 with 2.4/5/6 GHz radios
- Multi‑gig Ethernet for WAN/LAN backhaul
- Built‑in Matter/Thread border router; simple app management
When we recommend Deco in older homes
Deco’s Wi‑Fi 7 systems are attractive when you want newer radios, multi‑gig ports and strong value — especially if you are comfortable with a bit more tuning in the app. In plaster‑and‑stone homes, Deco performs best when nodes are wired or connected over short, clear wireless hops.
We often place Deco nodes in open sightlines between busy rooms, avoiding trying to push signal diagonally through thick interior walls. For homes with an existing coax network, MoCA adapters can provide wired‑like backhaul to Deco nodes without opening walls.
- Strong fit where multi‑gig broadband or local transfers are important
- Pairs well with 2.5G switches and wired backhaul for stability
- Needs the same careful placement in open areas as other mesh kits
- Can coexist with existing structured cabling or MoCA‑based backhaul
TP‑Link Deco BE63 Wi‑Fi 7 Tri‑Band BE10000 Mesh System
- Tri‑band Wi‑Fi 7 (BE10000 class) for whole‑home coverage
- Multi‑gig Ethernet (2.5G) WAN/LAN and backhaul options
- AI‑driven mesh with easy app setup and management
Placement and backhaul rules that apply to all three
Whichever platform you choose, the same placement and backhaul principles apply in older homes. Nodes should be where people are, not hidden behind TVs or inside closets, and each hop should have as much clear line of sight as the construction allows.
Wiring even one or two key hops — between floors, or from the primary router to a central corridor — often has more impact than upgrading radios alone. Light channel tuning and small power adjustments finish the job.
- Keep nodes in the open, roughly at chest height or higher, away from metal and appliances
- Prefer wiring the primary and busiest satellite nodes; use MoCA or existing conduits where available
- Avoid placing two nodes on opposite sides of a stone or dense plaster wall
- Validate with simple near/mid/far tests in busy rooms after every placement change
A simple decision guide for plaster and stone homes
If you like the idea of a small rack, ceiling access points and long‑term flexibility, UniFi is usually the strongest foundation. If you want a set‑and‑forget system with a very simple app, Eero is often the easiest path. If you are excited about Wi‑Fi 7 and multi‑gig performance and are happy to invest a bit more time in setup, Deco becomes a solid option.
In many Westchester projects, we end up with a hybrid approach: structured cabling that supports UniFi or Deco today, and still leaves an Eero‑style system as an option in the future if needs change.
- Choose UniFi when you are planning or already have structured cabling and want ceiling APs
- Choose Eero when you want simplicity and are okay with fewer tuning options
- Choose Deco when Wi‑Fi 7 and multi‑gig links are a clear requirement
FAQs
What is the best Wi‑Fi system for an old house with plaster walls?
There is no single best system for every home. In plaster‑and‑stone Westchester houses, we usually recommend UniFi when you are willing to run Ethernet and add ceiling APs, Eero when you prefer a simple app‑driven experience, and Deco when Wi‑Fi 7 and multi‑gig performance are a priority. Placement and backhaul tend to matter more than the logo on the box.
Do I need Wi‑Fi 7 in an older home?
Not always. Wi‑Fi 6 and 6E remain very capable, especially when nodes are placed well and wired together. Wi‑Fi 7 becomes attractive when you have multi‑gig internet, heavy local transfers or many newer client devices that can benefit. In older homes, it is often wiser to invest first in cabling and placement, then upgrade radios when clients catch up.
Can mesh Wi‑Fi work without any Ethernet in a plaster house?
It can, but expectations should be realistic. Wireless backhaul through multiple plaster or stone layers can limit performance between nodes. When we cannot run new cable, we look for existing coax for MoCA, identify the clearest line‑of‑sight corridors, and keep node count modest to avoid excessive interference.
Can I switch from Eero or Deco to UniFi later?
Yes. If you invest in structured cabling and a sensible rack location, you can start with an app‑driven mesh system today and move to UniFi or another platform later. We design wiring so the network can evolve without reopening walls.
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