The Ultimate Cheat Sheet on Kitchen Hoods

Custom kitchen hoods are an incredibly valuable addition to kitchen design. However, with the incredible number of design options and finishes available deciding on a style can be overwhelming not only for homeowners but for designers as well. To be more informed when beginning your search for the perfect kitchen hood, we’ve put together a guide of helpful terms and guidelines.

Types of Range Hoods

Wall Mount

This is a standard placement for kitchen range hoods where the stove is placed against a wall. With this placement, the duct work is typically run through the back of the hood and into the home’s ventilation systems. Wall-Mount hoods support almost any style including, slant front, bell-shapes, convex or barrel hoods, concave styles, and box hoods. This type of hood provides the biggest focal point since you can design straight up to the ceiling without any obstructions.

Under-Cabinet

Under-cabinet hoods are typically found in apartments or smaller homes that need to maximize storage space. This does limit the available designs somewhat, as you cannot accommodate the more grand designs in a compact space, but you can still design an elegant slant front, shelf style, or barrel hood that works with the available space. Also, because the kitchen hood has cabinetry on three sides, it is important to choose a finish that complements or matches its surroundings.

Island

island hoods are installed through the ceiling and over an island cooktop area. This is where you can go for your big design ideas. Since the hood is visible from all sides, you can choose a dramatic pyramid style, a sleek geometric design, or anything else your client desires. Also, this is a great option for spacious kitchens that have a lot of windows or other open design.

What Size Should I Get?

Now that you know the type and shape of the  hood you’re interested in, you need to figure out the size you need. According to Todays Homeowner, a good rule of thumb is to design your vent hood to extend 3 inches beyond the width of your cooktop on either side. If you have a 30” cooktop, your range hood should be at least 36” wide.

The next question is how many CFM your hood need. CFM is the measure of how much air is pushed through the hood per minute. The higher the CFM, the more powerful your hood will be. This number is determined in part by the size of your kitchen and the size of your cooktop. For every 12” of cooktop, you will need 100 CFM. For example, a 30” cooktop you will need at least 250 CFM. This may increase if you have a large kitchen to recirculate the air.

Now that you know the basics of kitchen hood design, you’re ready to request a quote. Contact Brooks Custom at quotes@brookscustom.com for pricing. You may also stop by our showroom to get a hand-on look at our materials and a chance to speak with our team about your design.