Joanna Gaines Loves a Statement Range Hood: Here’s How To Pick Out Yours: Massachusetts HomeBuyers HomeOwnerhsip

 If you’ve ever seen “Fixer Upper” (and we’re pretty sure you have), you know Chip and Jo always bring extra drama to the kitchen with the perfect, one of a kind range hood. And now it’s your turn. You already get that while the kitchen is the heart of every home, it also gives off heat, grease, and odors. So no wonder up that until now, you might have simply thought of your hood as the workhorse it is removing cooking odors or keeping the smoke alarm from going off during a burnt toast situation.

 “Range hoods, also known as vent hoods or extractor hoods, are arguably one of the hardest working appliances in any kitchen,” says Ron Shimek, president of Mr. Appliance, a Neighborly company. “They’re a key factor in providing ventilation to help maintain a clean home and healthy indoor air quality.” But here’s the news: while range hoods are crucial exhaust systems, they can also add a little pop of pretty to your kitchen decor. So getting one that performs well, and which offers the bonus of looking good, is essential. So here’s how to pick out the perfect hood for your kitchen. (Chip and Jo would approve!)

Range hood types

 In considering different styles of range hoods, homeowners should first understand the types of hoods that would work best with their homes. Hood types include ducted, non-ducted, and convertible systems. The ducted style of range hood redirects air to the exterior of your home through the ductwork. “The length of the ductwork is also an important detail to consider when purchasing a vent hood—a longer ductwork run will require a more powerful motor to be effective,” says Shimek.

 Next up are the non-ducted hoods that recirculate the air after passing through a charcoal filter to remove any pollutants. “These filters should be changed every few months, to ensure that only clean air is being redistributed throughout the space,” says Shimek. And finally, convertible hoods are versatile, meaning they can either be ducted or not. This choice allows homeowners to choose whether or not they’d like to use ducting, based on their preference and the location of the hood installation.

Hood styles 

Photo by Murray Lampert Design, Build, Remodel 

 Hoods come in various designs and styles, with finishes such as stainless steel, copper, or even zinc.  “There are hood styles to match any design aesthetic,” says Bryson Cook, a kitchen designer at Distinctive Kitchens & Baths in Boca Raton, FL.  The canopy of every range hood has a fan or blower motor, regardless of the style. The most popular types include:

Under-cabinet mount: This hood is a convertible option that goes above the cooktop but is installed beneath the cabinetry above. “Under-cabinet hoods typically use replaceable filters, which some homeowners might find to be more convenient for them,” says Shimek.

Wall-mounted hood: “These range hoods are installed flush against the wall, helping smaller kitchens achieve a sleeker look,” says Shimek.

Island or ceiling-mounted hood: These hoods are usually suspended above the kitchen island stovetop. This style especially makes a visual impact designwise, while providing the perfect combination of form and function.

Chimney hood: This style harkens back to the classic chimneys in some homes. Chimney hoods are mounted above cooktops in spaces where there are no cabinets, with a flue that carries the ductwork up to the ceiling.

Microwave range hood: “These hood types are convenient because these can either be ducted or ductless,” says Shimek. “However, they’re usually less powerful than larger stand-alone units.”

Consider hood noise

 Before buying a hood, consider hood noise, which can range from the hum of traffic to the sound of a commercial airline flying overhead. The sound that a range hood makes is measured in sones, which is a measurement of how an average listener perceives a particular sound. For example, about three sones (or forty decibels) is equal to the sound of a refrigerator running. Most range hoods produce between three to seven sones of sound. Manufacturers usually provide sones and decibel measurements. If you’re concerned about the noise level, shop for range hoods with a quiet mode. Visit a showroom to get a feel for how loud or quiet a model is.

How a hood fits into your kitchen layout

 The hood can end up being the central focal point of your kitchen, so you will want to choose well.  “You want your hood to speak to your cooking style, but also to complement your home,” says Cook. “A traditional or transitional kitchen caters to a custom wood hood enclosure or an elegant handcrafted metal hood. A contemporary kitchen caters to a more industrial hood or one that completely disappears into the cabinetry, for an ultraminimalistic look.”

 A good rule of thumb is that the vent hood should cover the entire width of your stovetop area, or even several inches wider on each side.  “Most kitchen ranges are approximately thirty inches wide, which is why many vent hoods on the market measure around the same width,” says Shimek. “When in doubt, refer to your manufacturer’s instructions, to determine the proper height to mount the range hood to ensure both safety and satisfaction.” 

How much a hood costs

 The total cost of installing a range hood is between four hundred dollars and one thousand and five hundred dollars. The average price would be seven hundred and fifty dollars for a simple replacement of an under cabinet hood with existing ductwork, according to HomeAdvisor.  “The least expensive options are recirculating hoods, or hoods with an internal motor, that are external to any cabinetry or enclosure,” says Cook. “Custom hood enclosures tend to be the most expensive, since you need a custom-built enclosure to house the hood liner, the hood liner itself, and a blower to power the hood liner.” The range hood’s style, capabilities, material, and aesthetic will determine the total cost.

The post Joanna Gaines Loves a Statement Range Hood: Here’s How To Pick Out Yours appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

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