One of the most beneficial components in a functional kitchen is a vent hood. This appliance, also known as a range hood or kitchen hood, is typically installed above a range or cooktop to filter out grease, steam, and smoke when cooking. Whether you’re an avid chef or just enjoy the occasional homemade fajitas, you probably know what a difference a vent hood can make!
There are many different brands and sizes of vent hoods, each with varying specifications and features to meet your needs. The CFM measurement reflects how many cubic feet of air the vent can move per minute at the fan’s highest setting. This number will give you a good idea of how quickly a specific model can clear the air in your kitchen. The higher this number is, the more powerful the fan and the faster the ventilation rate. For our clients, we typically suggest nothing lower than 650 CFM for proper venting.
You may also have heard of a recirculating vent hood. Contrary to a ducted model, a recirculating vent captures the exhaust from the cooktop and purifies it through a filter before releasing it back into the kitchen. While this option may be better than nothing, we would never recommend it! Not only does a recirculating vent require frequent cleaning and replacement of the filters, but they are also noisier, require more fan power, and are far less effective than a ducted version.
For installation, we always recommend working directly with the appliance dealer or certified installer for the brand. Having installation completed by a contractor or handyman can oftentimes void the warranty of the appliance. Texas Appliance is one of our primary vendors for vent hoods; they can assist with helpful information, purchases, and product installation.
Along with the functionality aspect comes the aesthetics! There are several different types of vent hoods to match a variety of kitchen styles. When our team designs a custom kitchen, the type of vent hood is taken into consideration, as it will contribute to the overall look of the completed remodel.
Here are a few of the most popular vent hood styles we have included in our past projects:
1. Wood Hoods
2. Chimney Hoods
3. In-ceiling Vents
4. Microwave/Vent Combos
5. Under-cabinet Vents
6. Down Draft Vents
7. Metal Hoods
If these examples have given you some ideas and inspiration for your kitchen remodel, we’d love to discuss it with you! Whether you are planning a full remodel, or just a few updates that include the vent hood, our team would be happy to help. Contact us today to get started!
Warm Regards,
The Medford Team
