Does a kitchen really need a range hood? And how to choose the best one.

Range hoods are often the forgotten element when discussing kitchen designs. However, they are absolutely essential for any kitchen, both in practical and aesthetic terms. In this article, we will examine what makes them so important and how manufacturers like CopperSmith Range Hoods can customize the size, color, material, and texture to fit your kitchen design. Continue reading the article below to learn more.
Why Every Kitchen Needs a Range Hood
From a functionalist perspective, range hoods filter and remove toxins that occur when cooking. This not only helps remove those unwanted smells that happen when cooking something pungent, but they also remove dangerous gasses, such as carbon monoxide, which can be deadly if allowed to accumulate.
Range hoods also absorb moisture in the air that can build up when boiling or steaming something. This excess moisture can make the air feel heavy and lead to mold if you live in a wooden house.
From an aesthetic perspective, range hoods can help tie a kitchen design together since they are so customizable, as we will discuss later in this article.
Choosing The Right Range Hood
The great thing about buying range hoods is how customizable they can be. Almost every facet of their design can be customized to fit the dimensions and style of your kitchen.
Size
Traditionally, range hoods come in sizes of thirty, thirty-three, thirty-six, forty-two, or forty-eight inches. However, some manufacturers, such as CopperSmith Range Hoods, offer some customization on these size templates.
Typically, you will want your range hood to be slightly larger in width than the stove, so measure your stove top before ordering your range hood.
Materials
Another element of your range hood that can be customized is the material used. Range hoods can be built with copper, brass, stainless steel, and even a mill finish. Copper has been associated with luxury kitchens for centuries and therefore is very timeless. Brass, meanwhile, has a very neutral look and fits in well with most kitchen designs. Stainless steel is often associated with modern kitchens, and the rough texture of a mill finish range hood works well with rustic-style kitchens.
Choosing The Right Color and Texture
Depending on the material you choose, you have a wide array of colors and textures available to choose from. If you are interested in copper stove hoods, manufacturers such as CopperSmith Range Hoods offer copper in a variety of colors, such as old coin, multiple red variations, and dark brown. Each of these colors can have different textures if you want your range hood to be rugged.
Determine How Much Ventilation You’ll Need
Ventilation is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). You’ll want to choose a CFM that meets your cooking needs and the size of your kitchen, so if you cook a lot, you may need a higher CFM rating. Manufacturers like CopperSmith Range Hoods offer customer service that can help you determine the right ventilation power that meets your need.
The Different Types Of Range Hoods
Obviously, no two kitchen designs are the same, which means a range hood must be able to accommodate them. Depending on where the stove is located in your kitchen, a different type of range hood may be needed.
Wall Mounted
Probably the most commonly used range hood, wall-mounted range hoods are true to their name as they are mounted directly to the wall of your kitchen. These are probably the most aesthetically decisive range hood you can purchase, as they naturally attract a visitor’s eye. We recommend consulting a professional interior designer to determine what material, color, and texture match your kitchen design.
Often times people will try to match the same material and color of their other appliances, such as the fridge and dishwasher. However, you can always throw a splash of color to add some variety to your kitchen.
Kitchen Island
If you have a kitchen island with a stove top built in, then obviously, having a wall-mounted range top won’t work for you. Island range hoods are connected to the ceiling of the kitchen and placed on top of the kitchen island. Typically island range hoods require stronger ventilation power to work properly.
Under The Cabinet
If you have limited space in your kitchen or already have cabinets on top of your stovetop, then a range hood installed under the cabinet is best for you. Unlike the other options on this list, under the cabinet range hoods are designed to be hidden.
Cooking Outdoor
Depending on your outdoor setup, you may still need air ventilation when cooking outdoors. If that is the case, then adding an outdoor rangehood should be a priority.
Answering FAQs About Range Hood
Will I be able to install the range hood myself?
Even if you have experience installing electrical appliances, we recommend contacting a professional HVAC technician when installing a range hood. Range hoods provide an essential function in removing toxic air
What’s the difference between ducted and ductless range hoods?
Ducted range hoods have built-in ventilation to push the fumes from your cooking out of the home. Meanwhile, ductless ventilation has no vents and instead uses coal filters to purify the air. Which one you choose is entirely dependent on your preferences. A ducted range hood will have a higher installation cost since you have to build the vents through the home. However, with a ductless system, you have to replace the coal filters periodically, which takes time and money. If you cook frequently, you can expect to have to replace your coal filters more often, so maybe a ducted system is a right choice for you.
Every Kitchen Needs a Range Hood
You should now have a better understanding of why a range hood is so vital in a kitchen. However, just because they are a necessary element doesn’t mean they can’t be adaptable to your kitchen aesthetics. Range hoods are just practical, but they can also be beautiful. With the information in this article, you should be able to choose one to meet your needs.