In big old (stone) houses round here, I've had a lot of success installing
an AP or sometimes a directional antenna in the ridge of the roof firing
downwards.

2.4GHz goes through a few layers of floorboards much better than through 16"
stone walls...

I think you ought to repeat that on some pc newgroups, having seen some of
the ******** spouted about wireless on those groups g.

Dave