Have you ever wondered why your smartphone or laptop signal mysteriously disappears inside buildings? Our trusty 4G, LTE and 5G cellular signals ride the airwaves like radio frequencies, and sometimes, just like that, the signals may face obstacles that weaken their strength.
That could be done, for example, by different types of building materials. Some materials are more effective signal blockers than others. Interestingly enough, there is actually a top list of materials that block cell phone signal according to UCtel. Let’s check the types and see basic tips on how to cope with the issues.
Main characteristics and impacting on the connectivity
In layman’s words, all types of radio waves, such as those from your phone, Wi-Fi or radio stations, might become less strong when obstructions such as walls or buildings exist. This is especially true with 5G. The material that blocks such signals is frequently the primary cause of your signal’s poor performance. So it’s critical that you find out how to improve the quality of your connection, such as with a signal booster.
A further point to note is that the bars/dots on your phone indicate how strong your connection is to surrounding mobile towers. However, those bars do not always represent the full story. They vary depending on the device or smartphone, therefore, they are not consistently accurate. To truly understand how excellent your connection is, check it in dBm, which measures the strength more precisely:
- The strength of the signals is frequently determined, so on a scale ranging from -50 dBm, which indicates an extremely powerful signal, to -120 dBm, which is essentially a dead spot where your signal is almost non-existent;
- The nearer you come to 0 dBm, the stronger the signal;
- We use dB or decibels to describe how much the signal intensity increases or decreases. So, if your signal strengthens, we call it the dB gain; if it weakens, we call it a dB loss.
Summing up, construction materials that block mobile phone signals often drop dB, so weakening the connection. The more reduction, the nearer your signal gets to a -120 in dBm, resulting in lost calls and slower spread. 5G is also significantly more influenced by building materials than 4G since it operates at a longer wavelength. So, you may keep it in mind for future improvements. So, what are the building materials that deserve honorable mention?
1 Material: the impact of drywall and fiberglass insulation
Indeed, plants and foliage, particularly pine trees, might be a major concern since they absorb and reflect mobile signals, especially on wet fall days. However, when foliage combined with weak/remote signal locations, it has less of an impact on mobile reception than when blended with interior walls and ceilings composed of drywall.
Drywall, often known as sheetrock, is a traditional building product for ceilings and walls in homes. While it is less successful in blocking signals than other components and materials that block mobile signal, it can nevertheless lead to signal loss, especially when mixed with additional barriers. When drywall is paired with products such as fiberglass insulation, the level of signal can be reduced even further, making it more difficult to keep up powerful indoor coverage.
2 Material: a networks of fine mesh
Supplies such as mesh made of wire, especially metallic ones, which is typically found in some types of concrete reinforcement. It could also be found in metallic screens used in constructions, which may cause problems with mobile signals, eventually leading to dead zones or poor coverage.
While modern 5G and 4G networks are more immune to this disruption, it is still an issue, especially in remote regions where connectivity may already be within limits. As a result, wire mesh is unquestionably one of the components that disrupt the cell phone communications and get to the our list of materials that block mobile phone signals.
3 Material: tile trouble and challenges posed by ceramics/tiles
Consider this first, the ceramic or porcelain tiles are unlikely to interfere significantly with your phone connection. However, if they include metal or have a particular wrapping, they may cause problems. Your phone will still function, but it may struggle occasionally, such as when you’re chatting on the phone and someone cuts in and out. It’s not a total blackout, but rather a technical issue.
4 Material: the influence of mirrors on signal transmission
Large mirrors, such as those seen in a dance class or gym, are not often regarded as materials to interfere with your phone signal. But, here it goes, they have the ability to reflect and move such impulses, much like light. So, if you’re in a place with a lot of mirrors, such as a gym with mirrors covering the whole wall, they may break a signal and even cause data loss. It’s as if they’re bouncing your signal around rather than sending it directly to your phone.
5 Material: low-e glass and balancing efficiency
Low-emissivity glass is used almost everywhere in modern architecture, from posh offices to residences. It helps finding the optimal balance between comfort and energy efficiency. Let us break it down:
- First and foremost, it’s a crucial material when we speak about remaining cool as it functions as a thermal barrier
- When the sun’s rays try to penetrate your windows or doors, it steps in and blocks the heat
However, this material also influences signals. Yes, your energy bills will get a break as this glass helps save on cooling costs but it can be a bit of a mixed bag.
Final thoughts
In the building process, there is an ongoing conflict between aesthetics and a sense of connection. From the comfortable charm of wood to the solid durability of concrete, each substance could have its own distinct effect on the mobile phone signals. You can face plenty of other materials that will influence the signal such as bricks, plasterboards or woods (beech, pine or oak), they may certainly operate as signal disruptors. However, you can avoid such issues by acquiring the boosting mobile signals in such buildings where it becomes critical to ensure optimal connectivity.
