Estimated Read Time: 5 Minutes

When people think of kitchen appliances, their minds immediately venture towards luxurious refrigerators or multifunctional wall ovens. Not to be forgotten, the range hood is an appliance that plays a huge part in a kitchen’s overall function.

However, like any other kitchen appliance, not all range hoods are the same. You have to find a model that best suits your kitchen design and your home’s cooking habits. 

We’re here to help! 

At Deslaurier Custom Cabinets, we’ve been manufacturing custom cabinets for over 40 years. Although we don’t sell appliances such as range hoods, we know how important they are for a successful kitchen project.

With that, this article will dive into the world of kitchen range hoods and look at the various styles available and the different ventilation methods.

Let’s get started! 

What Are Kitchen Range Hoods?

A kitchen range hood is an appliance that accompanies an oven range or stovetop to remove smoke, fumes, or odours from the kitchen while you are cooking. 

Range hoods are essential appliances that ensure your kitchen space remains properly ventilated and fresh during and after your cooking sessions.

Types of Kitchen Range Hood Ventilation

Before we get to the different types of kitchen range hoods, we should discuss the various ventilation methods available.

While all types of hoods are designed to help clear the air of smoke and odours, their ventilation style and configuration can vary. No matter which range hood type you choose, you can most likely find that type with the ventilation you desire as well. 

There are three main types of range hood ventilation: ducted (external venting), ductless (air recirculation) or convertible – a multifunctional model that can do either.

Ducted

Ducted range hood has outdoor ventilation capabilities and pushes air out of your home through your ductwork. If you are interested in a ducted, or vented, hood but your home does not have the proper ductwork, consider consulting a professional for installation.

Ductless

Ductless range hood does not require external venting and recirculates air inside your kitchen instead. These common hood types will typically need a filter cleaning roughly twice a year to help ensure your range hood is circulation clean and fresh air back into your home.

Convertible

Convertible range hoods hood provides the best of both worlds and can be configured to either circulate air outdoors or recirculate air indoors. Depending on your kitchen layout and ductwork, a convertible range hood allows you to choose the ventilation for your kitchen.

Wall-Mounted Range Hoods

The wall-mounted range hood is undoubtedly one of the more popular range hood types available. If you have open wall space above your cooktop, a wall mount range is likely your go-to option. 

Wall-mount range hoods are typically ducted and vent out through the wall or ceiling, although they can of course be ductless or convertible, as well. 

The wall-mounted style is what most people picture when they think about kitchen range hoods. 

Under-Cabinet Range Hoods

As their name suggests, under-cabinet range hoods are designed to be installed directly underneath a cabinet box. 

Although they’re quite a small unit compared to other range hoods, they still offer plenty of ventilation strength for your average day-to-day cooking needs. 

Under-cabinet hoods offer a key aesthetic benefit that other hood fans can’t: they fit seamlessly into your cabinetry design. Rather than interrupt your upper wall cabinets with a visual range hood, under-cabinet models allow for your range wall to remain entirely cabinets.

Ceiling Range Hoods

Ceiling range hoods are similar to wall-mounted except they are installed to, and hang from, your kitchen ceiling. 

The most popular iteration of a ceiling hood is a “canopy” hood. These hoods are finished on all sides and offer a sleek appearance no matter where they are installed. 

These statement hoods typically vent through ductwork that’s been installed within the ceiling, but can also come in ductless or convertible models. 

A ceiling range hood is great for kitchen islands with integrated cooktops built into them.  

One downside is that depending on your design preferences, or what you want from your kitchen layout, they can be a bit of an eye-sore as they hang freely above the island. Depending on their size, this can be a visual hindrance to your space.

Retractable Downdraft Range Hood

A downdraft hood is installed directly into countertops and vent air down into ductwork beneath the floor, rather than up through the ceiling or wall. Though they typically use a ducted ventilation method, recirculating attachment kits are often available. 

This type of range hood is perfect for kitchen islands with built-in cooktops but is also a great alternative for homeowners that don’t want the bulkiness of ceiling or wall-mounted hoods.

Retractable downdraft range hoods are hidden out of sight in the cabinet space below your countertops and can raise when you need them for cooking. They have a sleek and minimalist design and are perfect for modern kitchens. 

Take a look at our showcase, Whimsical in Westboro, which features an eye-catching retractable downdraft range hood built into the kitchen island!

This retractable downdraft island hood adds an almost futuristic touch to the kitchen while cooking, and otherwise tucks neatly out of sight so not to disrupt the visual presentation of the room. 

Custom Range Hood Millwork

Don’t want your range hood out in the open? No problem!

Many homeowners don’t like the idea of their range hood being an exposed appliance. That’s where custom range hood millwork comes in.  

Having some sort of decorative millwork or ornamentation above your cooking surface is becoming the standard in contemporary kitchens. It’s one of the most popular kitchen trends heading into 2023!** Link **  

Today, range hoods are a key part of your kitchen’s overall design. They are customized statement pieces, trimmed with colour, and detailed with unique shapes or clean lines.

Design with Deslaurier Custom Cabinets 

Are you looking for custom cabinets to pair with the perfect range hood in your new kitchen reno? Deslaurier Custom Cabinets has everything you need for a personalized kitchen design!

Check out our showcase to see our designs in action, or book a free consultation with one of our professional designers in Ottawa or Renfrew and discover the Deslaurier advantage today!

Interested in becoming an authorized Deslaurier Dealer? Visit our Become a Dealer page to learn more! Live outside the area? Find a Dealer to connect with a Deslaurier Dealer near you!