Range Hood Installation 101: What Homeowners Need to Know
Author: James Zhao, Sr. Tech Specialist & Alex Park, Product Specialist
Even after selecting the perfect range hood, proper installation is essential to make the most out of your investment. That’s why at FOTILE, we’ve compiled the need-to-know behind selecting and installing a range hood for your kitchen.
From our FOTILE family to yours, here are our best range hood installation tips!
As always, please feel free to get in touch with our dedicated support team if you have any questions.
Selecting the Optimal Range Hood
Not all range hoods are created equally. Whether you’re looking for a high-end range hood from FOTILE or something else, the first step to any installation process is making sure you have the right range hood.
In turn, new homeowners and first-time renovators alike have questions, such as:
· Will an overhead range hood or side-draft range hood work best for me?
· Should I install a cupboard above my range hood?
· What kind of range hood is preferred for tall ceilings?
While your stylistic preferences are unique, there are specific range hood installation methods that accompany each model.
Of note, many range hoods can be installed with or without overhead cupboards, as depicted below.
1. Side-Draft Range Hood
For aesthetic purposes, homeowners oftentimes choose to block their range hood smoke pipe from view using cabinets. In turn, cabinet height is particularly important for range hood installation. For example, if the range hood is too far away from the stove, you may not have sufficient suction to carry out the smoke, grease, and particulate matter that results from cooking.
While a cabinet board or FOTILE decorative stainless-steel plate will slightly lower the range hood, cabinet height is essential to avoid misalignment. Be sure to follow the FOTILE manual’s installation diagram for the proper dimensions.
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2. Chimney Range Hood
For top suction hoods, we recommend additional planning when drawing your floor plans. As a best practice, do not include a hanging cabinet above the hood. Additionally, we suggest determining the positioning of the power cord and exhaust port. In turn, you can avoid unnecessary rework of your range hood install.
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How to Install Your Range Hood in Five Simple Steps
In general, the five steps to install a range hood include:
1. Opening the flue hole
2. Pre-embedding the smoke pipe
3. Installing the suspended ceiling with the right materials
4. Positioning and installing the cabinet system
5. And installing the range hood
Knowing which range hood you plan to install before proceeding into any kitchen renovations is key. We invite you to visit our collection of FOTILE range hoods for a full list of options.
1. Opening the Flue Hole
Although you should refer to the unique manual for your FOTILE range hood, most flue holes will be circular in shape with a 6’’ diameter.
By reserving sufficient flue hole space at the beginning of the range hood installation process, you can avoid cumbersome rework later on in the process.
2. Pre-Embedding the Smoke Pipe
The purpose of pre-embedding the smoke pipe in a range hood install is twofold. First, the finished product will look better. Second, the service technician will be able to streamline their portion of the installation process.
Of note, we advise opening the ceiling gusset or making holes in the ceiling if you choose to suspend the ceiling before embedding the smoke pipe, although this is not the preferred installation sequence.
As for measurements, we recommend a maximum smoke pipe length of 16 feet while not exceeding three bends. We also advise against bending at right angles. This is because longer smoke pipe distances reduce suction power.
3. Installing the Suspended Ceiling with the Right Materials
Kitchens are notorious for heavy moisture, oil, smoke, and vapor levels. In turn, we highly recommend choosing durable, high-quality ceiling materials. Although aesthetics are the goal for every homeowner, practicality must be taken into consideration as well throughout the ceiling material selection and range hood installation process.
4. Positioning and Installing the Cabinet System
In order to prevent potential damage to your range hood, we recommend positioning and installing your cabinet system first. That’s because dust, wood chips, and debris can easily land inside your range hood if the range hood is installed first.
Be sure that you fully understand your range hood’s proportions and height requirements before installing any cabinets. You may also want to let your cabinet designer know of any requirements beforehand if you decide to install a cabinet above the range hood.
5. Installing the Range Hood
Now that your flue hole, smoke pipe, ceiling, and cabinets are in position, it’s time to install your range hood. We advise installing your range hood as the final step of the process to avoid scratches, smoke pipe damage, or debris contamination.
Always check your range hood installation manual to ensure you select the right height.
- Range hoods that are too low may overheat, posing a fire risk if oil has accumulated in the panel.
- Range hoods that are too high may not have enough suction power to be effective, allowing smoke and debris to settle in your kitchen.
As a final step to your range hood install, please remove the fan cover film and decorative cover as soon as possible to prevent discoloration, uneven removals, or permanent staining.
Getting Started with FOTILE
If you’re ready to learn why FOTILE is trusted by homeowners worldwide, we invite you to explore our range hood collection. Between the stunning aesthetics of our range hoods and their high-quality functionality, FOTILE raises the bar for luxury kitchens. We also employ range hood installers, including in NY, the Bay Area, and Houston. Whether you have questions or are interested in learning more, please visit our FOTILE website, including our FAQs page for more installation tips. Thank you for reading, and best of luck throughout your installation!
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