The neat thing about owning or renting a duplex are the savings that go along with them. If your in good standing with your neighbor then both units can foot the internet bill. In today’s time the WiFi router signals can reach up to 150 ft indoors and 300 feet outdoors. Depending on the design and structure of your building.

Can a duplex share WiFi? Yes, a duplex can share WiFi. The WiFi signal should be strong enough as long as the units aren’t too distant from each other. However, if the units are detached then additional hardware may be needed to extend the WiFi signal.

The hardware that’s required, varies widely between router antennas and WiFi extenders. The choice depends on the structure, and design of your duplex. Continue reading below to figure out which set up would work best for your application.

Tech needed to share WIFI in a duplex?

Savings benefits with duplexes (duplex hacks) are great and easy to implement. One of savings on cost can be the savings on the internet bill. Check out the different tech options below, and see which one best fits your needs.

Signal reach (lowest cost)

The average WiFi reach on a 2.4 GHz band can reach up to 150 ft indoors, and 300 ft outdoors. So, if your duplex is up and down or side by side, then this approach may work quite well. The best part of it all, is there are no cost for this method.

Just share the password and come to an agreement with your neighbor on how the cost will be divided. I’d have to say the downside is slow internet speed, if multiple devices are connected.

Ethernet cables

Ethernet cables have a wide range of uses, but one of the common uses are for a direct connection to internet access. The cable is connected directly to the modem, and not only does it increase internet speed, it’s a more reliable connection.

This is another budget friendly option; this item can be found at any local hardware store. An Ethernet cable can be used to share the internet connection. If the duplex is owner occupied then the cable can be ran through the wall. If the duplex is being rented, then the cable would have to be ran externally.

Replace your router antenna

The stock antenna that comes with your router can be upgraded to increase your WiFi strength. Replacing the antenna with a two-antenna design, will increase the signal range. The replacement can add the needed stretch you need to reach the other unit.

Wifi extenders

WiFi extenders also known as WiFi boosters and repeaters, are designed to capture the signal that’s being broadcast. The signal is then extended throughout the house increasing the strength, and covering any dead-zones. The item ranges in quality, some owners even go as far as installing a commercial grade extender to have the best streaming experience. There is a wide range of pricing as well ranging from $20 to $500.

This is the method I used to expand the reach of the WiFi signal in one of my properties. The duplex is a corner lot with detached units and a garage dividing the two buildings. The extender was placed in the garage in- between both units, overall the signal strength was subpar.

The distance between the two units is 20 ft and this contributed to the poor signal strength. Purchasing a higher grade WiFi booster would’ve solved this issue.

Standard WiFi extenders will work fine in an attached duplex, that is either up and down or side by side. Below is a graph displaying the unit size and the signal strength of several tech options.

Variations of unit design

There are many variations of residential multifamily layouts and the design can drastically affect the WiFi performance among both units. Be aware of the layout of your property and discuss with your neighbor the best approach both of you should use to share WiFi.

Different multi-family layout variations

• Duplex attached side by side units
• Duplex attached up and down units
• Duplex with separated
• Triplex all units connected
• Triplex all units separated
• Triplex two units connected and one separated unit
• Triplex with all units separated

Related questions

Is it legal to share internet connection with your neighbors?

It may not be considered breaking the law if you share WiFi with your neighbors. However, sharing WiFi will violate the contract agreements. The majority of WiFi companies don’t allow the use of shared internet for unsubscribed and non-paying members. Sharing the service may be a breach of contract and cause cancellation of the service. Before considering this approach, understanding your contract stipulations wouldn’t hurt.

Can you share internet between two houses?

Yes, you can share WiFi between two homes, in fact it’s more common than you think. In order to have optimal WiFi signal performance you would either need a two antennae design, WiFi extender/booster or Ethernet cable to ensure a more reliable connection.

Final thoughts

Let’s say you have an Airbnb, and your offering free WiFi to your guest. Technically, since your a guest and you aren’t paying for the internet service, it would be considered a breach of contract for the homeowner. So, sharing WiFi is not simply a black and white scenario.

There is a lot of gray area when it comes to sharing WiFi. Overall, it can help on cost savings for both parties involved and provide the much-needed convenience when we’re renting our favorite Airbnb home.