Retrofitting Range Hoods

Remodeling a kitchen can offer several challenges. Often when you are modernizing a kitchen you will find it necessary to alter cabinetry or move things around. One of the biggest challenges in remodeling older kitchens is retrofitting range hoods.

In homes that are more than 70 years old you will often find that the kitchen has remained in its original state. This is common because moving things around in a kitchen can be costly and work intensive. Therefore, many of these homes do not have modern appliances and additions such as range hoods. In fact you may not find any type of ducting at all. In some of those homes that do have a kitchen exhaust system will often have old chimney type ducting that has become dilapidated and dangerous. The safest thing to do may be to remove these and replace them with updated and more modern kitchen range hoods.

When retrofitting a kitchen range hood, you need to take into consideration the location of the range. Are you going to leave it where it is? Some people choose to put it in the center of the room using island range hoods. If you plan to leave it where it is you then need to determine if your new range hood is going to stand alone or go under a cabinet.

An existing cabinet may pose somewhat of a problem because you will need to shorten the length of it in the location of your range. Doing this allows room for the range hood to fit between the rest of the cabinetry and at a good distance from your stove top. Next you can choose from either a ducted or a ductless range hood. If you choose to go with a ductless model then shortening the cabinet and adding your wiring is all that is necessary before installation. If you choose to use a ducted kitchen range hood then you will need to include an opening for your ducting in the bottom of the cabinet as well as another for the exhaust.

Retrofitting your cabinets in this manner is not the easiest thing to do, it takes a bit of careful planning and usually the cabinets will need to be removed in doing so. Keeping your original cabinetry will allow you to better maintain the homes original and unique nature which is a plus if you love the old style in your kitchen. A much easier although more costly method is to completely replaces your existing cabinetry with system that is designed to accommodate your range hood. If you want a new fresher look in your kitchen, then this may be the option you prefer.

Installing an island can ad a lot of extra functionality to your kitchen. The most common use is to add extra cabinetry and counter space. Often you will see them equipped with butcher blocks or sinks as well. Although counter space is an added benefit and generally the most common use for a kitchen island, imagine the versatility you could have if you were to use this space for cooking. With a cooking range installed in your island, you’ll need to start thinking of island range hoods as well.

Putting your range into a new island can easily be accomplished by installing a kitchen island range hood. Doing so offers you the ability to put your range right in the center of your kitchen where it should be. One of the biggest benefits to this is that your entire surrounding counter space is left open for preparing other parts of your meal.

Unlike traditional range hoods that are usually installed beneath your existing cabinetry along the wall, island mount range hoods are designed to hover straight down from the ceiling of your kitchen allowing you to put your range any place you like, even right in the center of the room. Although many people prefer the open feeling of the added space between their counter tops and the cabinetry, you can also use this newly found space under your cabinets for space saver appliances.

It is easy to find an island mount range hood for every kitchen because they come in a large variety of designs and colors. There are also different venting methods to choose from. When a non ducted island range hood is installed, the air from your range top is processed through a filtering system and recycled back into the room. This method is great for homes that don’t have access to outside exhaust such as condos and kitchens located centrally on a lower floor in the home. You can also opt to use a fully ducted version. The ducting can either go straight up into the attic space of your home and then to an outside venting system or it can be redirected across the ceiling to a side exhaust through the kitchen wall.

Some of the more popular styles are traditional stainless steel island range hoods, but I have also seen some really beautiful custom made copper island range hoods. You can find them adorned with beautiful intricate designs and embellishments. Island range hoods also come in a couple of standard shapes. You can find them in either round or square designs to suit the decor of your kitchen.