While installing your kitchen’s ventilation hood, the ducting system is an essential part. It’s the enclosure above your cooker hood unit that collects smokes, fumes, and steam. It also captures all other harmful air particles you may produce while cooking. After having the air, it vents them outside, thus improving the air quality and circulation in the kitchen.
You should ensure a proper kitchen exhaust hood duct installation to achieve this system’s appropriate functioning and benefits. The correct installation procedure allows for the appropriate collection of smoke, fumes, and steam from the kitchen; this leaves the kitchen with high-quality air. Read through the blog post to understand the proper installation procedure for the ventilation hood for your kitchen.
Things to Consider Before Choosing the Right Range Hood Duct System
Whether you have a new kitchen or you’re renovating/ upgrading the existing one, choosing the right kitchen extraction duct system is very important. The duct system provides an excellent ventilating system and air circulation in the kitchen, allowing for quality air. Therefore, it’ll be good to consider the factors below when choosing the best ducting system for your kitchen:
1. Material
All the ducts will always work similarly; although, there might be slight differences in the design and material of the ducting system. Therefore, before choosing the chimney, it’s good to ensure its code compliantly. Most state authorities advise that homeowners use 18 gauge stainless steel or 16 gauge carbon steel for the residential kitchens.
Additionally, choose a duct with an interior liner and the best exterior surface. These features ensure you have an easy time cleaning the contaminants such as grease and may prevent a build-up of fire due to the grease building up. Lastly, experts advise that you use rigid ducts, as they are durable, high quality, and produce the best results.
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2. Installation
When choosing a ducting system, you must ensure that you consider the ease of the installation process. Always opt for a fume extractor ducting system that’s easy to install, as it’ll save much on the cost of installing the system. It’ll be necessary to avoid the ducting systems that’ll require complicated processes such as welding processes. Those ductworks will be time-consuming and expensive as you’ll need to hire a professional to help you finish the task.
3. Design
The ductwork’s design is another essential consideration you should consider while choosing the right system. It’s always good to select a flexible and up-to-date ducting system. For example, when dealing with a shallow ceiling in your kitchen, it’ll be preferable if you choose a ducting system that will fit in the limited space you have. The duct design will also solemnly depend on the design of the entire kitchen aspirator hood unit and the kitchen.
4. Price
The cost of the ducting system is always the critical determinant among most individuals while purchasing the kitchen hood ducting system. Therefore, you should choose an extractor hood system that has an affordable rate. Nevertheless, you shouldn’t compromise the quality of the ducting system with the lower price. It’s great to go for some excellent ventilation system duct options at an affordable rate rather than an expensive option with low quality.
5. Duct size
To vent out all the unwanted air in your kitchen, you’ll need the best and available ductwork. The size of the duct will significantly affect the performance of the appliance in ensuring proper circulation in the kitchen. Thus, it’ll be essential to choose the appropriate ductwork diameter for your project. It’s advisable to consult with the manufacture of your fume extractor unit to determine the best diameter for your ductwork.
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Installation of the Kitchen ventilation Hood Duct
Materials and equipment you require
Silicone – for sealing around joining parts while installing
Rotozip saw – for drilling of holes in the wall
Cordless drill – for drilling holes in the walls or ceiling
Square-to-round 6- or 7-inch adapter
Measuring tape- for providing the measurements on the locations for the ductworks and the cooker hood unit
Square adaptor – permits the use the other driving tools
Screw – for securing the appliances on the walls
Ducting unit
Step By Step Process On Kitchen Exhaust Hood Duct Installation
A proper installation process is key to achieving an efficient and effective working kitchen aspirator hood duct. It’ll be good to strictly follow the procedure to achieve a functional ductwork system in the unit. Therefore, for the chimney to vent outside, you’ll have to install the ducts on top or the back of the kitchen covering fan. Then vent the extraction hood through the ceiling or the wall in the kitchen. These steps provide the correct kitchen exhaust hood duct installation:
Step 1. Select the suitable place where your ductwork will run
It’ll be vital to find an appropriate location where you’ll locate your ductwork and allow it to run. The area you choose should be free from any big studs, electrical wiring, or any other form of wiring.
Once you find these obstacles, it’ll be good to avoid them and seek an alternative site or location. The area you should opt for should have no obstruction on its way through the house’s exterior and should be the shortest path to the kitchen’s exterior.
Step 2. Take the measurements
Use a tape measure to measure the duct opening size on top of the kitchen range hood. While measuring, you need to understand that some of the wall’s connections will be rectangles while others are round. The dusting size for the holes is always 6 or 7 inches; however, you may need the square-to-round adaptor when measuring these connections. Take accurate measurements to minimize the occurrence of errors during the installation process.
Step 3. Attach the adaptor
After taking the measurements, attach the adaptor to the extractor fan’s top carefully. While connecting, ensure that you attach the correct dust adaptor to the fan. You can achieve this by pushing the duct adaptor down over the hood’s protruding collar. Then secure the duct adapter to the stove hood’s fan using the appropriate sheet metal screws.
After which, use a cordless drill and bit to secure the adaptor using the sheet metal screws. Drive the screw on the back of the adaptor. Around the perimeter of all the fan’s sides, place either two or three screws to ensure the proper securing of the adaptor.
Step 4. Placing the wall outlet template
Place a wall outlet template on the outside wall, then use a pen to make the outlet template’s markings. Using a rotozip saw, cut out this hole that’s on the wall. The hole should pass through the interior wall to the exterior side. In most kitchens, the designers vent the fume extractor on the wall because there was limited attic space.
Step 5. Installing the vent outlet cover
You should install the outlet cover of the vent from outside the kitchen. Using a screwdriver and drywall screws, secure the vent outlet cover from inside the kitchen. The vent outlet cover will meet with the ducting system in the wall inside the kitchen. After completing, attach the two parts and seal around the two parts using the silicone. You should close the parts appropriately to prevent reduced airflow and duct leakage from the joints.
Step 6. Place the hood unit on the wall
After joining the vent outlet cover and the ducting system, you’ll need to lift the range hood and place it on the wall. The cooker hood unit may be heavy, or you may want to get an accurate position. You’ll need to get the help of a friend or a colleague. The friend can hold up the unit for you in the correct places. Then slowly and carefully slide it over the vent outlet cover you had installed from outside the kitchen.
Step 7. Mounting the fume extractor fan
Through the vent and vent cover, attach some sheet-metal screws from the system’s fan back. Then you’ll have to mount the fan with screws while using the screwdrivers through the mounting holes on the fan. Then get to the house and reset the house power; after which, test if the light and fan are working. If the whole ventilating and air circulation system is working correctly, you can move to the outside and check the duct to ensure proper movement of air.
Step 8. Install a damper
Installing a damper is very important after you’ve completed the ductwork installation process. You’ve to install it on the outside top of the duct. The main aim of the damper is to try to keep debris and dirt away from the vent. The trash and dirt may affect the proper working of the kitchen aspirator hood system. Additionally, it plays a massive role in preventing back drafting; it doesn’t allow backflow of air into the duct to interfere with the proper air circulation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q· Between the ducted and ductless range hood, which is the best for a residential kitchen?
In most homes, homeowners prefer the ducted range hood to the ductless one. The reason being the ducted range hood will vent the air from the kitchen, which contains smoke, air, and other harmful substances outside. These range hoods are more efficient, robust and they can provide the kitchen with quality air for a lot of time.
Q· What is the best type of duct for a range hood?
Without a doubt, the rigid duct provides the best duct option for the ducted range hood. It’s a flexible duct, high quality, and more durable than the other options available. When choosing the type of duct, ensure you select the one that serves you long, providing quality airflow or circulation in your kitchen.
Q· Why should I insulate my newly installed vent hood duct?
Though it’s not a necessity, it’s always good to insulate your kitchen cooker hood duct, especially after installing it. The duct’s insulation will significantly reduce the blower’s noise if the blower is in line with the ductwork. Additionally, insulating the duct will help reduce or prevent greasy air or smoke from escaping into the attic or joists. The air with grease getting out through the points may affect the quality of air in the kitchen.
Q· Can you quickly change from the hood’s top duct to a rear vent system?
Some models, such as the island range hood, are not possible because these hoods only vent through the ceiling. However, you can change some under cabinet and wall range hood models, as you can easily rotate their blower to vent vertically or horizontally.
The location of venting will depend on the setup of the kitchen. After installing the ductwork, you can avoid changing your covering hood to a rear duct from the earlier top channel. The reason being, the process is costly and time-consuming as you’ll require the services of a professional.
Q· Is it essential to seal the duct’s end with either the roof or wall cap?
Yes, it’s always important to seal the joints or the ending of the ducts with either silicone, wall, or roof cap. The sealing keeps debris and any dirt away from your line. The lid also aids in preventing back-drafting, which results from air coming from outside from getting into the duct. Sealing the exterior, majorly secure the duct containing any smoke or leaky air from the kitchen from leaking out through the duct system’s edges.
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Final Thoughts
Choosing the ducted kitchen range hood is very important as it provides the right choice for keeping good quality air in the kitchen. The kitchen covering duct offers the best air quality because it traps smoke, steam, and greasy air and vents it outside. It’s always very advantageous for the appliance to vent out. Additionally, these appliances are of high quality, efficient, robust, and long-lasting. Nonetheless, to achieve these results, you must follow the proper kitchen exhaust hood duct installation. The steps above provide the best and simple way of installing the ductworks without seeking the ductworks for help from any professional.