How To Run An Ethernet Cable Along Walls: Explained

Ethernet cables are extremely useful, especially if you want to provide high-speed and reliable internet to some of your devices.

I always prefer connecting my gaming console and my desktop computer to the internet using an Ethernet cable.

I had a pretty convenient and neatly organized Ethernet wiring system in my old house.

However, since I shifted houses, I was skeptical about organizing the whole wiring situation.

That is when I started researching cable concealers and some hacks that would help me neatly run Ethernet cables along the wall.

After all! Who wants messy wires dangling from the walls in their apartment?

Turns out, there are plenty of different types of cable concealers that you can use to run Ethernet cables along the walls of your house.

Nevertheless, there are several Dos and Don’ts that you would have to follow to ensure that the cables are properly installed.

In this article, I have listed some of the best practices that you can follow to ensure the Ethernet cables do not come off or start dangling after a few months of installation.

The best way to run Ethernet cables along walls is by using cable concealers such as PVC concealers, baseboard concealers, or concealer raceways. You can also opt for floor cable enclosures if you don’t want to install cable concealers.

In addition to this, I have also listed some other cable management essentials and tips to help you complete your project in the best possible way.

What are the Benefits of Running Ethernet Cables Along Walls?

With the increased demand for a steady stream of internet, more and more people are looking for ways to improve the reliability and speed of the internet connection for devices that demand a higher bandwidth.

One of the best ways to do this is by running Ethernet cables in different rooms of your house. This way, you can set up different routers and signal extenders without losing bandwidth due to wireless connectivity.

Here are some of the main benefits of running Ethernet cables along walls:

• You can hardwire the devices that require higher bandwidth to reduce the problems that come with Wi-Fi.
• Hardwiring devices gives you better bandwidth.
• Connecting devices using Ethernet provides a more constant bandwidth.
• It will reduce the number of dead zones in your house and will minimize radio interference.
• If you have an Ethernet cable in all the rooms, you will be able to hardwire any device any time you want.
• Running Ethernet cables along the walls is not invasive, which means you don’t have to disrupt the wiring system of your house.
• Ethernet cables that run along the walls can be easily taken down at any time, and this is especially useful for people living in a rental property.

PVC Cable Concealers

Cable concealers are the easiest and most efficient way of managing Ethernet cables.

As a matter of fact, they can be used to conceal and manage all types of wires to prevent them from looking tacky and all over the place.

As far as PVC Cable concealers are concerned, they are available in several sizes, types, and colors.

To conceal your Ethernet cables, you will need PVC cable concealers that are 0.4-inches wide.

However, if you want to run other cables along with the Ethernet cable through the PVC concealer, you will have to look for wider concealers.

Depending on the length of your Ethernet cable, you will have to cut these PVC cable concealers.

Thankfully, they are extremely easy to cut and customize.

Moreover, many PVC cable concealer manufacturers claim that they can be installed in as little as three minutes.

These concealers can also be easily painted in any color you want.

However, the paint should be latex-based to ensure proper coverage.

If you plan to paint your PVC cable concealers, make sure you do it before installation.

Baseboard Cable Concealers

On the other hand, if you are looking for a better and more aesthetic way of concealing your Ethernet cables, baseboard cable concealers are a good option.

As the name suggests, these concealers are disguised as baseboard molding.

They have a D-shape quarter round structure, which means they can easily fix between the corner of the floor and the wall.

This makes baseboard concealers extremely easy to install.

You don’t have to use a lot of nails or sticking to ensure that the concealers stay in place.

They are commonly available in white color and are also constructed using PVC.

You can also purchase them in Oak color, but most people like buying while baseboard concealers.

They are usually painted with latex-based paints to match the aesthetics of the room they are being installed in.

Their structure, installation, and ease of use make them ideal for running the Ethernet cable from one end of the house to another.

Cord Concealer Raceway

Before running Ethernet cables along the walls of your house, you must analyze the walls to find out what type of concealers will be needed.

Depending on the layout of your house, you might need more than one type of concealer.

For example, if you have to run an Ethernet cable along the corner of the wall vertically, you will need a corner duct raceway concealer.

Yes, a PVC concealer can be used here.

However, if I am being honest, it will look slightly tacky and out of place.

Corner duct raceway concealers, on the other hand, are specifically designed to fit seamlessly in the corners of the walls.

Like the PVC and baseboard cable concealers mentioned above, they are extremely easy to install, cut and paint according to your requirements.

You can install them using adhesives or nails.

In most cases, people prefer adhesives since they do not damage the walls.

Floor Cable Cover Enclosures

Sometimes, due to the layout of your house or a large number of decorative items on your wall, you have to run your cables across the floor.

It is important to protect the wires from damage in situations like these.

There are chances that people will keep stepping on them.

Moreover, if you have naughty pets, they might end up chewing the wires.

Lastly, loose wires are also dangerous.

If you are not careful, you might end up tripping over them.

To avoid all these issues, you can use floor cable covers.

They are extremely useful, especially if you have a large area to cover.

Many people like to cover cables on the floor with a rug or a piece of carpet.

However, this does not look aesthetically pleasing.

Floor cable covers are designed to be minimally intrusive and don’t affect your walking space.

They provide a trip-free solution that keeps your cords safe and neatly tucked.

Like other cable covers, these can be cut according to your requirements and painted to match your floors.

Other Cable Management Essentials

In addition to cable concealers, you can use cable management kits that come with several tools and components to improve the Ethernet cable management along the walls of your house and around your entertainment area.

These components are designed to keep the wires organized and reduce the hassle when moving some things around.

It is no secret that a cluster of wires that looks like a bird’s nest is nothing less than a safety concern.

Most cord management kits come with everything you need to conceal, organize and manage cords in your house.

Along with concealers, they also come with cable ties and cable tips that help you keep the wires in place.

You can also invest in a cable management box for a more organized and chic look.

The box allows you to hide the chargers, power strips, extra cables, and adapters to prevent them from cluttering the view.

These boxes are also available in different colors and textures.

If you cannot find a color that matches the aesthetics of your house, you can always purchase a white cable box and paint it.

Cable Management Tips

Along with thinking about how the wires will look when you run them along the walls of your house, it is also important to think about safety and data integrity.

These two factors are an important part of the cable management process.

Some of the Cable management tips that can help you make the process seamless are:

• Don’t run your Ethernet cables and electrical wires together, and they can cause interference.
• According to the electrical code, unshielded communications cable should be separated by at least 8 inches from electrical wires.
• Avoid high interference areas such as areas near generators, transformers, induction heaters, etc.
• Try using a combination of nails and adhesive to ensure the cables stay in place.
• Don’t leave naked wires hanging around, even if they are classified as low voltage.
• If you have pets or kids in the house, don’t leave your wires unconcealed.

Contact your ISP

If you are unsure of how to run Ethernet cables along the wall or have never done it before, it is best to call your ISP.

The technicians are not only proficient with the process of hardwiring equipment but are also familiar with the rules set forth by the authorities.

This way, you can ensure that all the wiring is done according to the electrical code.

Conclusion

Cluttered and unorganized wires are a big no, especially in smaller apartments.

With the increasing number of electrical appliances and entertainment devices we use, wire clutter and bird nesting are inevitable.

However, this not only looks unaesthetic but is also a safety hazard, especially if you have pets and kids in the house.

As tedious as it may seem, Wire organization is made easier with the right tools.

If you are looking for a more affordable option that can help you conceal your wires, you can also look into flexible PVC pipes.

They have a tube-like structure and can hold the wires in place.

However, to make sure they properly run along the walls without dangling, you will have to staple them together properly.

The flexible PVC pipes can be painted like other cable concealers.

However, they will not provide a similar function and will not look as organized.

You May Also Enjoy Reading:

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• How to Hide Speaker Wires Effortlessly and Tidy Your Room
• Xfinity Ethernet Not Working: How to Troubleshoot in Seconds

Frequently Asked Questions

Do electricians install Ethernet?

Yes, your ISP can provide you with Ethernet installation services that are according to the electric code set by the authorities.

How much does it cost to install an Ethernet outlet?

The cost of Ethernet installation depends on your internet service and the packages it provides. Sometimes, the installation comes free with the package you purchase.

How long can an Ethernet cable be without losing speed?

An Ethernet cable does not lose speed over time. Moreover, since the maximum length of the cable is 328 ft, there are not many delays either.

Is Ethernet faster than Wi-Fi?

Ethernet is not faster than Wi-Fi. However, due to less interference and loss of signal, you might get more bandwidth and reliability if you hardwire your devices.