In this guide you will learn all about the different types of range hoods. There are many different types and features to choose from and knowing which one is best for your needs can be difficult.
There are four common types:
- Under-Cabinet Range Hoods
- Wall-Mounted Range Hoods
- Island or Ceiling Mounted Range Hoods
- Downdraft Ventilation Hoods
- Convertible Range Hoods
Each of them suit different needs. Let’s take a look at each type:
Under-Cabinet Range Hoods
A less expensive alternative to an island or wall mounted range hood is an under-cabinet range hood.
These range hoods are designed to sit on top of your counter and hug the bottom of your cabinets. They are usually installed by drilling holes in the underside of your cabinet and through either side or front for attaching them to your ceiling.
The advantages of these range hoods are that they can be installed flush with your cabinet to hide any ugly duct work and the stainless steel material will reflect light from your overhead lights.
A disadvantage is that they can be bulky, making it difficult to open the doors over them or reaching behind them with ease.
Wall-Mounted Range Hoods
This type of range hood is attached to a wall near the stove. This design has several benefits including more space on top of the counter, as well as a sleeker look when it comes to hiding the duct work inside the cabinets.
Wall-mounted range hoods do not take up any valuable counter space, but the trade off is that it is less private than other types of range hoods. The duct work inside your cabinets will also be visible if you have this type of range hood installed.
Another drawback for a wall mounted range hood is the difficulty in changing out filters, making them more difficult to maintain.
Island Mounted Range Hood
This type of design is perfect for those who want to maximize their kitchen space and are looking for a venting system that can cover a large area with only one unit.
The advantages of an island mounted range hood are that they offer a sleek look when it comes to hiding the duct work inside the cabinets.
Downdraft Ventilation Hood
This type of range hood works by sucking air from the bottom of your oven, removing any unpleasant cooking smells in the process. Downdraft then ventilates the air through your kitchen cabinetry and releases it outside.
A downdraft ventilation system is not visible, which means it doesn’t take up any of your kitchen cabinet space.
Read more: Range Hood VS Downdraft
Convertible Range Hoods
Convertible range hoods are a great option for those who are looking to buy a range hood that will last. They can be either wall-mounted or island mounted, depending on your kitchen space. The advantages of convertible range hoods is that they can be easily moved between islands and walls when you want the best fit for your needs at any given time.
The drawback of convertible range hoods is that they are the most expensive option, so if you’re not sure about your needs in a range hood, this might not be the best option for you.
What features you should look for?
There are many features that can make your range hood better for you, depending on what you’re looking for.
CFM tells the effectiveness of a hood
CFM stands for cubic feet per minute. This refers to the amount of air that can be passed through a system, which is measured in Cubic Feet per Minute. It tells the effectiveness of a hood.
How much CFM do you need?
It depends on the size of your kitchen. You want to ensure that the range hood has enough CFM to cover the whole space. Standard home kitchen hoods usually have CFM values of around 1,200-1,500. Professional range hoods usually have CFM values of 2,000 to 4,000.
Range Hood Filters
Depending on what type of filter you want (HEPA or charcoal), it can help remove bad odors and capture particles from smoke and grease when cooking.
Range Hood Lights
Sometimes you need more than just light from your range hood! Range hood lights give you extra light in the kitchen so that when it is dark outside. They help make your space brighter so that you can see better. This is helpful if you cook a lot at night but don’t want to wake up the whole family by switching on all lights.
Range hood noise
If you are trying to eat while your range hood is on, the noise can be annoying. You might want to find a more quiet range hood for cooking so that it doesn’t interrupt dinner time. The noise level of range hoods is generally around 42 dB.