Range Hood Installation
Whenever I’m working on a kitchen remodel I know we are getting close to the finishing line when it’s time to install the range hood.
Installing a range hood is a step in a kitchen remodel that lets me know that we are close to completing the project.
In order to install a wall mount range hood you need to select the height for the range hood, then level and install the mounting bracket. Next, hang the hood on the wall bracket. Then maneuver the chimney stack into place temporarily and lightly mark the edges on the wall (or use tape). Afterward, remove the chimney stack, and then mark and cut a hole in the wall or ceiling and install the vent if applicable. Then install the outlet inside the range hood chimney, install the mounting bracket at the location of the top of the range hood chimney, plug in the hood and install the chimney and screw in any set screws, and you’re done.
There are quite a few smaller steps and details that go into performing the big steps I just mentioned. you should be aware of these steps as you plan or perform this project. Let’s discuss what those steps are and how to complete them.
Range Hood Height
The first decision that you have to make is what height you want to mount the range hood. For wall mounted manage hoods the most common height is 30 in above the countertop.
Simply use your tape measure and measure from the top of your countertop off the wall to 30 inches and make a small mark on the wall with a pencil. Then use a level or straight edge to make a straight line all the way across to the other side.
Installing the Mounting Bracket
The next step is to install the mounting bracket. this is a part that you want to get installed as accurately as possible. For this step take your tape measure and measure the distance between your two wall cabinets. It should be right around 30 inches.
Take the exact measurement in your kitchen space and then divide it by 2 and mark the centerline. now line up your wall mount bracket with the Centerline. You want to make sure that your wall bracket is centered between the cabinets.
Level the Bracket
Now that you have the wall bracket centered the next step is to make sure that the bracket is level. For this step, you can use a small bullet level. Place the bullet level on top of the wall bracket while holding both the level and the bracket in place.
Level the wall mount bracket and then use a pen or pencil or screw to mark the locations for the holes through the mounting bracket on to the wall. Now you can take down the wall bracket and the bullet level.
You should be able to see the marks that you made on the wall which will be your guide for drilling your pilot holes for your wall anchors. If you cannot see you wholes or they don’t appear level, check them with the bullet level. If necessary, level the bracket against the wall again and remark the holes.
Drill Holes for Wall Anchors
When installing a wall bracket for a wall mount range hood it’s always preferable to sink the screws into studs. However, if this is not possible wall anchors will have to do unless you are willing to cut open a wall and install 2×4 supports.
Read your instructions carefully and use the drill bit that is specified in the instructions necessary to drill pilot holes for the wall anchors. When I install wall anchors I make sure that the anchors provided with the range hood are substantial.
If the included wall anchors are not up to par I always keep some wall anchors with me that are more heavy duty. Now drill your pilot holes with the specified drill bit and then insert your wall anchors in each hole that you just drilled. Make sure that your wall anchors are sunken all the way into the hole.
Secure the Bracket to the Wall
Now it’s time to install the bracket. Put the bracket in place with one hand and then put the first screw through the bracket and begin to and twist it into the first wall anchor by hand first. Once you have the screw in place begin tightening it with either a screwdriver or impact driver.
I personally prefer to use an impact driver when installing screws in wall anchors. But remember that I also usually provide my own wall anchors. Be aware that if your wall anchors do not make a good grip with the drywall or plaster they can turn or spin when you begin to try and tighten the screw with a screwdriver or impact driver.
Use Good Wall Anchors
More substantial wall anchors have a tendency to move less and give you fewer problems. Cheap wall anchors can cause unnecessary headaches. If you begin your installation process and run into this problem do yourself a favor and stop and go get some better anchors you will thank yourself later.
Lift the Range Hood into Place
The next order of business is to set the range hood on the bracket that we just finished mounting on the wall. There are two different ways to do this. The first way is to simply pick the range hood up out of the box and hang it on the mounting bracket by hand. depending on the weight of the range hood as well as your own personal level of strength this may or may not be possible for you.
Support Jacks
The second option for hanging your range hood on the newly-installed wall bracket is to use a lift to raise the range hood up into place and then slip it on 2 the mounting bracket. this is a much lower stress way to install the range hood. the lifts also give you the opportunity to adjust the height of the range hood before you install your mounting bracket to make sure that you have it at the height that you want before you drill.
On many wall mount range hoods, there are additional screws that need to be installed inside the body of the range hood. you usually have to remove the filter grates in order to access these holes. if you have this type of range hood remove your filters and look for the holes along the back of the hood then take a pencil or screw and mark the wall through the hole so that you will have a guide to use when you drill your pilot holes for your wall anchors.
Taking the Range Hood Down
Now it’s time to take the range hood back down off of the wall mount. If you are working “He-Man style” then just grab the range hood with two hands (one on each end) and raise it up and off of the hooks and set it down in a safe place out of the way.
If you’re using lifts or Jack’s then simply replace your vents and slide your jack’s back into place and raise the vent hood up off of the hooks at this point you can either take the hood down by hand since you know that it’s no longer attached to the wall. Or you can slowly lower the hood down by lowering each lift slowly one at a time using two hands to control the height.
Once you have it at a height that is manageable for you, use both hands to remove the hood and set it in a safe place. One of your main goals is not to damage the wall behind the range hood and to not ding up your cabinets in between the range hood as you were working to mount it safely.
Finish Installing Any Remaining Wall Supports
Now that we have the range hood out of the way look for the marks that you made while the ranch it was in place and take out your drill and drill your pilot holes for your wall anchors. Then install your wall anchors and make sure they’re snug. Now you can re-hang the range hood and move on to the next step.
For the next several steps we will be working with the range hood chimney.
Installing the Range Hood Chimney
Unless you’re really tall you will likely need a ladder for the next steps (no pun intended). I personally prefer to use a two-step ladder over a six or eight-foot step ladder. The reason is we want to be able to have our hands at waist and chest height and be able to turn and twist freely to pick things up and move around and a taller ladder will greatly obstruct our ability to work efficiently this way. Remember that workspace is minimal on this type of project, as there are usually on 30 inches in between the cabinets (which is the area where you are working).
Two Section Chimney
Most range hood chimneys come in at least two pieces. one piece fits inside of the other and they slide up and down. The outside chimney section, which is the widest piece typically goes on the bottom and is designed to be attached directly to the top of the body of the range hood. This is the piece that we will be working with first.
Note that most range hoods come with a thin layer of plastic film covering the range components. This is to protect the finish on the range hood from scratches and scrapes that may occur during fitting and installation. I would suggest leaving all of the plastic on the range hood until you have all of the pieces installed, or you are about to put them in place for the last time.
Now take the bottom wall mount chimney section and maneuver it on to the top of the range hood, which is already mounted on the wall. You want to fit this piece exactly the way it will fit when it’s installed so don’t leave any gaps on the sides or along the back.
Mark the Chimney Boundaries
Now using a pencil make a light Mark vertically along either side of the range hood chimney(you can also use tape instead of a pencil). These marks will serve as guides to help ensure that we properly align the second chimney-piece with the first. These lines also help us locate our new outlet box if there is not already one there.
Plan for the Electrical Outlet
You want to make sure that your new outlet box is well within the inside walls of the chimney so that you can ensure that the new outlet does not stick out and that you have enough clearance to install an outlet cover. I usually use a skinny outlet cover and if I can’t find one of the more flexible outlet covers and trim it down enough to fit inside of my chimney chase and still cover my outlet inside the chimney
In order to mark the location for the second chimney-piece we can either place the piece inside of the lower chimney section and slide it up into place the way that it will be installed or we can use the lines that we’ve already marked on the wall and use a level to continue the lines all the way up to the ceiling or where the chimney will stop.
I personally prefer to dry fit the entire unit. Be aware that is is somewhat cumbersome and the metal has a tendency to flex slightly so make sure that when you mark your lines that the metal is straight and not squeezed in.
Installing the Top Wall Bracket
At the top of the second chimney section, you will have to install a bracket on the back side in order to hold the piece in place. This can be very ticklish. You want to make sure that the bracket is as close to the ceiling as possible but it still has to have clearance for you to be able to mount the screws through the top chimney section in into the bracket.
Take your time with this step. Stop and take a break if you’re tired at all. When marking the top chimney-piece I like to install the bracket while I’m working with it on the chimney-piece to ensure that the top chimney section is being held at the same width that it will be at when it’s installed.
Otherwise, it has a tendency to kind of flop around. Now mark your locations on the wall at the top of the chimney piece. In many applications, this will be right at the ceiling. Now you can take your chimney-pieces down remove your bracket from the back of the top chimney section and now install your bracket along the back wall centered Within your chimney marks.
Recirculating Range Hood
If you are installing your range hood the recirculate you are basically done once the electrical has been run to the location that you have specified inside of the range hood chimney you can plug your range hood in install your chimney and you are good to go.
When setting up the range hood to recirculate, remember to install the pieces that block the fan louvers from opening. If you are venting your range hood to fresh air, you will have some additional steps as you may have to cut through the wall or ceiling if previous accommodations have not already been made.
Venting to the Exterior
Venting the range hood out through the wall or the ceiling is beyond the scope of this article however I have several tips to share with you if you plan to do this work. Number one make sure that you know what’s on the other side of the finished wall. if you have a stud and the wall directly behind the location that you want to vent out you will not be able to do so without making framing modifications which will be messy at this stage.
Locate Wall and Ceiling Joists
You may be able to work around this by modifying the ventilation duct. Additionally, you want to also know what is in the ceiling iff you’re venting through the roof. If you have a ceiling joist or a rafter in the way these can prevent you from venting the range hood out through the roof without modifying the duct. Take time to locate all of your wall and ceiling framing before moving forward. You can accomplish this with a stud finder and you can also climb up into your attic area if it is accessible.
Verify the Exterior Wall Heights Will Work
The next step is to make sure to observe the height and location of where your range hood wall vent will come out on the exterior. in some houses or buildings, the interior ceiling height is taller than the exterior walls. And if you miss this detail, you could begin cutting into a wall that is not tall enough for you to vent out through the wall due to the shorter exterior walls.
Take Your Time
Installing a wall mount range hood can be quite an exercise. Often times the devil is in the details and with that said the better the instructions are that come with the unit the easier it will be to install. Be aware that poor instructions or no instructions at all or a common issue with wall mount range hoods.
Safety First
Also, remember to keep safety first. If you’re working alone take your time and make sure that your mind and your body are ready before you move forward from one step to the next. Know your limits. And be aware that in some instances you may just have to stop work for a minute until you can get a second set of hands to help you complete a particular step.
Hopefully, you found this information helpful. Remember to be safe, take your time, know your limits. Good Luck with your installation.