Installing wireless access points (APs) in high and open ceiling spaces can most often be challenging. Whether in modern enterprise office buildings or large industrial facilities, issues can include:
- Increased mounting height that increases the distance between APs and client devices, potentially resulting in inadequate connectivity.
- Congested ceiling environments with lighting, AC ducts, electrical conduit, and other obstructions that can cause performance loss and signal interference.
- Nonstandard mounting requirements in challenging ceiling spaces that may fall outside typical installation practices, requiring additional physical security considerations during planning.
- Heightened aesthetic demands in architecturally sensitive or open ceiling environments, particularly in historic or modern designs where visual integration is a key factor.
To ensure robust Wi-Fi coverage, maintain aesthetics and ensure proper physical security, strategic AP installation planning is essential during the design phase of the project.
Design Considerations for High-Ceiling AP Installations
A successful Wi-Fi deployment requires careful planning. As part of the planning process, we always recommend engaging a design engineer or wireless integrator.
Additionally, industry documents are available to aid in the design process, such as ANSI/BICSI 008-2024 Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) Systems Design and Implementation Best Practices.
Key factors to evaluate include:
- Conduct a predictive site survey to identify the right placement, coverage, and number of APs before installation. This process may reveal the need for advanced Wi-Fi technologies and ensures the best signal propagation and performance. It is customary to conduct the site survey first and engage a Wi-Fi site survey consultant.
- Decide which equipment technologies, such as the current wireless standards, are required for successful connection of all wireless client devices.
- Assess network applications to understand expected usage types and bandwidth requirements.
- Account for client devices, including the number of users, device types, and simultaneous connections.
- Follow current cabling recommendations, with a minimum of two Category 6A per AP. Additional cabling and suitable PoE power may be required to support next-generation wireless technologies and high performing APs.
- Plan for AP migration and upgrades by choosing mounting brackets or enclosures that support a seamless migration path to new technologies in the future.
Mounting Best Practices for Access Points
Access point installation today requires more than simply attaching a device to the ceiling. The right mounting strategy ensures performance, flexibility, and easier upgrades.
Best practices include:
- Follow manufacturer guidelines for AP orientation (e.g., horizontal mounting for indoor units with internal antennas).
- Choose mounts that simplify and accelerate installation, lowering labor costs.
- Ensure compliance with codes and standards.
- Protect both APs and cabling components.
- Select mounts that allow quick serviceability and seamless upgrades.
Enterprise Environments: Balancing Aesthetics and Performance
Open and high-ceiling structures are increasingly popular in contemporary enterprise buildings, maximizing natural light and architectural impact. In historic settings, preserving architectural integrity is equally important. But they create unique wireless deployment challenges.
Key Installation Considerations:
- Keep APs within recommended mounting heights: (20–30 feet, ideally under 40 feet) to avoid weakened signal strength.
- Anticipate interference from lighting, HVAC systems, and conduits.
- Consider acoustic panels that may scatter or absorb RF signals.
- Account for non-standard layouts and use custom mounting for grids or metal mesh ceilings.
- Select mounts that integrate aesthetically into the environment while maintaining performance.
Recommended Wireless Solutions for Enterprise Environments
A secure joist or wall-mount option with a low-profile vanity cover. This solution blends APs into the architecture while protecting equipment and maintaining a professional appearance.
Industrial Environments: High-Ceiling Strategies
Warehouses, factories, and distribution centers often rely on tall, open ceilings to accommodate vertical storage, machinery, cranes, and ventilation. These necessities create unique wireless design hurdles.
Challenges:
- Weak signals at floor level if APs are mounted too high.
- Interference from shelving, machinery, or vehicles.
- Complex RF modeling due to stacking, vertical beam shaping, and reconfigurable layouts.
Strategies for Reliable Deployment:
- Use directional or high-gain antennas to beam signals downward.
- Deploy APs lower with poles or suspended mounts.
- Install ruggedized, industrial-rated APs resistant to dust, vibration, and temperature changes.
- Place APs in outdoor enclosures to provide additional environmental protection.
- Leverage advanced Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 features (OFDMA, MU-MIMO, MLO) for capacity and reliability.
- Work with professional wireless engineers for precise coverage planning.
Recommended Wireless Solutions for Industrial Environments
Modular, low-cost frames designed for APs, antennas, and accessories. Supports ceiling, pole, and wall mounts while simplifying configuration and installation. Maintenance-free, consistent deployments ideal for rugged spaces.
Solutions for Both Enterprise & Industrial Spaces
Flexible solutions that perform across high ceiling environments — from offices to rugged industrial spaces.
A secure hanging-conduit solution that positions APs beyond structural obstructions and closer to client devices. Features a hinged cover for easy access, with optional black vanity cover for concealment in dark ceiling structures.
Oberon® 900-HC Series mount suspending a wireless access point from conduit in an open-ceiling area.
A versatile open-ceiling mount designed to recess APs and cabling for a clean, professional look. Includes a lockable drop-hinged cover for easy authorized access and durability across ceiling types. Combine with accessory 39-905-HCPLATE to support from overhead hanging conduit.
Wireless Access Point Trends Shaping AP Mounting Decisions
Wireless access point (AP) technology is evolving rapidly — and that directly impacts mounting strategies. To future-proof your network, you need solutions that account for today’s challenges while staying ready for tomorrow.
Key Trends Shaping Improved AP Mounting Decisions
- Faster Upgrade Cycles – APs are now replaced every 2–4 years (down from 3–5), so mounts must allow for quick swap-outs without rework.
- Evolving AP Form Factors – Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 APs with added radios (6 GHz, BLE, Zigbee, IoT, GPS/GNSS) are larger, requiring stronger, more durable mounting hardware.
- Increased PoE Requirements – The amount of PoE that the cabling infrastructure can support will enable more radios to be active within the AP therefore increasing performance.
- High-Density Deployments – Campuses, hospitals, and warehouses are adding more APs in non-standard locations, driving demand for mounts that adapt to poles, walls, and varied ceilings.
Best Practices for Selecting the Right Mount:
When evaluating mounting options, prioritize:
- Durability – Robust materials and engineering for secure attachment, even in challenging environments.
- Compliance – Code-compliant designs that meet building standards.
- Aesthetics – Low-profile, professional finishes that enhance rather than disrupt the space.
- Ease of Installation – Simplified installs save labor costs and reduce downtime.
- Flexibility – Modular or customizable designs to support unique layouts and future upgrades.
- Ceiling Material Considerations – Account for steel, acoustic panels, or open-grid structures when choosing a mount.
Off-the-Shelf Mounting Solutions Built for Performance
Simplify deployment and ensure lasting performance with Oberon’s trusted lineup off-the-shelf wireless mounting solutions— delivering performance and peace of mind in every space. Each product is tested to industry standards, ensuring fast installation, long-term durability, and support for evolving wireless technologies.
Explore or for expert guidance in selecting the right solution for your requirements.
