The Ultimate Guide to Range Hoods

Start your kitchen remodel off strong by doing your research. When it comes to any kind of remodel, there are endless product details to consider all while keeping your budget in mind. Some kitchen products, like range hoods, include many components like electrical. With all these features and details, it’s important to understand how the product works and how it will impact your design, budget, and even the safety of your kitchen.

Range hoods are a crucial part of any kitchen design. Everyone loves them for the beauty they provide, but hoods also protect your investment by cleaning the air of grease, oils and any odors that could negatively affect your new cabinets. Modern kitchens are starting to require more upgrades. Because of this, it’s fairly common for range hoods to include LED lighting, quieter ventilation, and on-trend colors and styles. Finding the perfect range hood is only a matter of deciding which details you want most.

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When the time comes to select your range hood, explore every option. If you have not already created a wish list, now is the time since you will be basing the foundation of your design off of these needs. Here are the top five range hood styles along with pros and cons of each to help you decide which is best for your kitchen remodel. 

Most homeowners think of wall-mounted hoods first when they think of range hoods. This version is mounted directly to the wall as its own unit and usually has an attention-grabbing designer look. As one of the more versatile range hoods, it’s offered in a wide range of finishes like wood, stainless steel, glass, zinc, plaster, copper and much more.

Some pros of wall-mounted hoods include the large variety of design choices and powerful motors. Lastly, this range hood makes a big statement and draws the eye toward a great focal point. Potential cons of this style range hood can be its sheer size and bulkiness, and the potential difficulty designing around such a large kitchen appliance. 

When you want to achieve a similar, but less expensive look to wall-mounted hoods, undercabinet range hoods are typically the next best choice. This type of hood sits underneath a short wall cabinet and can either recirculate air or vent through the cabinet above. An easy way to make a statement is by adding some height and depth to the cabinet above and topping it off with crown molding. Designers refer to this as “staggered cabinets”.

Pros of undercabinet range hoods are their cost-effectiveness and ease of installation. Since this appliance is not as large as others, it can be installed in a short period of time. Cons of the undercabinet hood can include less powerful blowers, fewer finish options, and a “big box aesthetic”. 

For kitchen designs that have the range in the island, the island range hood is a great option. Although there are other options to choose from, this range hood will provide the biggest focal point and offer a luxurious look. Island range hoods are the same as wall-mounted hoods, but they have a fourth finished side.

Island range hood pros include a wide selection of colors and finishes, the ability to mount it anywhere on your ceiling (with proper support), and the professional chef’s kitchen look. Some cons could be a bulky look depending on how it’s finished. Also, because of where it’s mounted, it could take away from the popular open concept look. 

Homeowners looking for a sleek and minimal look will love downdraft hoods. Most models are very low-profile and some even lower down into the countertop when they aren’t being used. They operate similarly to standard hoods in the fact that they remove odors, oils and grease. However, the ducting is directed down behind your base cabinets rather than through the wall cabinets.

Pros for downdraft hoods include the premium upgrades with clean design features and powerful performance. Some cons might be the need to clean the appliance more often because it sits next to the cooktop. Because it’s installed in the countertop, this could create an issue if the appliance dies, and future versions are offered in different sizes. 

The most common “hood” is an over-the-range microwave hood. Smaller kitchens or small-scale remodels tend to opt for microwave hoods because they are convenient and functional. Most models today come in a variety of stainless-steel options with some brands offering designer colors. Low-profile designs are also an option now with trends moving towards hidden appliances.

Pros of microwave hoods are the unbeatable price point, functionality, ease of installation, and convenience. Some might consider cons of microwaves to be the strictly functional and bulky look.  Microwaves also might not recirculate air as effectively as other range hoods.

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Range hoods might look complex at first glance, but they are pretty simple. All that a range hood does is take in air through a baffle and filter out grease, oils and odors. Once the contaminants have been removed, clean air is pumped back into the room.

Every kitchen needs some sort of ventilation system to maintain great air quality in the kitchen because if it’s not cleaned, greasy film residues can develop on cabinets and smells will linger. This will affect the durability of any cabinet finish, and no one wants a smelly home. Let’s explore some of the differences between vented and ductless or recirculating range hoods below. 

Choosing a vented option as previously mentioned will mean very powerful performance. Vented range hoods are any type of hood that has attached duct work that sends exhaust outside the home while replacing it with clean air. The cubic feet per minute or “CFM” ratings for vented hoods are generally higher because they have a bigger capacity than something like a microwave hood. 

Going ductless tends to be the easiest option. This means you and your contractor don’t need to worry about whether to put the hood on an exterior wall. Microwave hoods are usually the top choice for recirculating hoods because they are convenient and are offered in a great price range. Because recirculating hoods are ductless, they will have less power and CFM capacity to clean the air, however they are still effective. 

Before you narrow down your options and start choosing a range hood, there are a few things to keep in mind. The variety of range hood features and styles can be overwhelming, especially considering the large task this appliance takes on for your new kitchen. Here are seven things to consider. 

Choosing the right size for your range hood is a critical element in crafting the perfect kitchen. Kitchen design standards recommend the hood covers your entire cooktop plus 3 inches on either side to help properly capture cooking fumes.  

Cubic feet per minute is the rate that measures how much air a range hood can clean and recirculate back into the room. Check with local municipalities on what they recommend because some higher CFM ratings may be unnecessary based on the square footage of your kitchen. Additionally, pay attention to the CFM rating your range specifications recommend based on the power it puts out to find the best pairing. 

With higher end range hoods comes more upgraded features. Look at the decibel level of your potential hood to see how loud it will be. The lower the decibel level, the quieter the motor will be. 

Believe it or not, it can be easy to miss this detail. Carefully look at the hood specifications to find out if a hood needs ducting. Some hoods are also convertible which means they can vent out or recirculate the same air based on the homeowner's preference. 

Many hoods today are offering upgraded or premium features. If you love upgrades, pay attention to hoods with LED lights to illuminate the cooktop, dishwasher safe baffles and app connectivity. As technology changes, appliances are getting smarter every day. 

In today’s remodeling industry, nothing is out of reach and that includes finding the perfect style. Many companies will offer a large variety of semi-custom styles, colors and finishes, but if you still are not finding what you want, consider the custom route. Although it will be more costly, choosing a custom hood allows you to specify everything while getting something completely unique. 

Most brands offer great quality kitchen hoods, however it’s still a good idea to look at product warranties. Anything under a year is questionable since most manufacturers and retailers offer a minimum of one year. Check company and product reviews to see if others have had a good experience with the brand you are looking at. 

Every range hood can be different based on its own customizations, so the best resource for installation tips will be the hood manufacturer. Like recommended CFM ratings, each hood type and brand will have their own recommended techniques to install. Thoroughly review the specification guide that comes with your appliance to learn more.

If learning more about range hood installation stresses you out or makes you nervous, we recommend contacting a professional. Get word-of-mouth referrals from friends and family or search credible resources for installers with high ratings on websites like Houzz and Angi. Since some of these websites allow businesses to pay for top search results, double-check their customer reviews to see how happy the clients were with their services.

Care and maintenance for range hoods can vary depending on the finish, but regardless they should be cleaned weekly. Stainless steel hoods are more durable than wood, so use stainless-steel cleaners to degrease the surface. Vinegar can be used to brighten the stainless steel while buffing with oil will provide a nice polish. 
Wood range hoods should be cleaned using a light-colored microfiber with non-transferable color and a light soap solution. Always avoid silicone and wax-based cleaners or anything abrasive that could potentially eat away at the nice finish.

Cleaning the interior can be much easier since it’s generally made from stainless steel as well. On these surfaces, degreasers and stainless-steel cleaners will also work. Many hood models also come with dishwasher safe baffles. Double-check your model first, then give yourself a break by cleaning this feature in the dishwasher.

Ready to explore range hoods? Shop CliqStudios high-quality metal and wood hoods now! 

Have more questions? Talk with a CliqStudios designer today!