how to install a range hood vent through ceiling

One of the most talked-about kitchen appliances is a range hood vent, a must-have in the kitchen.

The purpose of this is to filter and purify the gas, smell, fumes, or odors in the kitchen while cooking. Along with this, any toxic gases or pollutants hanging in the air are also removed.

This allows you to breathe correctly since the air in your kitchen gets cleaned. It also makes your kitchen smell neutral without any unpleasant odor.

Excess heat is also a major problem in most kitchens, usually coming from either the freshly cooked food or the cooktop. In any case, too much heat can be real trouble, and it may hit your face while you are busy preparing something.

Thankfully, a range hood vent will see to it that along with dirt particles in the air, excess heat and steam is also removed, thereby helping you work smoothly in your kitchen.

Before we get into how to vent a range hood, we must know what a range hood is.

It is referred to as an exhaust hood or vent hood. It is located just above the range that utilizes the fan to accumulate vapor, smoke, fumes, and other air particles that may have been produced while cooking.

It helps by not collecting grease or oil particles on the ceiling or walls, allowing your kitchen to look cleaner.

But, Why vent the air outside…

Did you know that venting the air outdoors is a far better option than venting it indoors? Wondering why?

This is because an outdoor vented hood will more effectively remove steam, heat, and other odor, thus keeping your kitchen perfectly neat.

On the other hand, indoor venting will cause all of the steam, dirt, odor, etc., to accumulate on your walls and thereby lessen the shine and beauty of your kitchen. And this is one of the primary reasons you should install a range hood vent through the ceiling.

There are two ways to install a range hood; either you can do it yourself or hire a professional. If you're looking for a guide on how you can install a range hood vent by yourself, then look no further. Read on to get all the scoop and details.

Related: 10 Best Under Cabinet Range Hood (Buying Guide)

Table of Contents

1 How to install a range hood vent through the ceiling?
- 1.1 Step 1: Deconstruct the Range Hood Vent
- 1.2 Step 2: Measure and Mark the Spots on the Ceiling
- 1.3 Step 3: Puncture Holes on the Marked Spots with a Drilling Machine
- 1.4 Step 5: Fix the Deconstructed Units
- 1.5 Step 6: Mount the Range Hood Vent
- 1.6 Step 7: Enclose the Range Hood
- 1.7 Step 8: Wrap up the Procedure and clear up the mess
2 Key Tips
3 FAQs
4 Conclusion

How to install a range hood vent through the ceiling?

A range hood vent utilizes ducts that run in the ceiling or walls. Installing the range hood through the roof can be more expensive than through the wall. Hence it is advised to install the range hood vent with the help of a roofing builder.

But if you are confident, follow the steps to install a range hood vent through the ceiling or roof.

You will require the following equipment:

Iron pipes
Electric wires
Wire clamps
Vent cap
Rangehood
Roof-mounted exhaust vent
Appropriate sized Ducts
Pipe clips
Screw holders
Cable nuts
Cordless drill
Roof cap
Pipe flasher
Measuring tape
Sabre saw or jigsaw
Drywall saw

Now, let's begin with the steps one-by-one:

Before getting to the installation part, it is important to ensure that your ceiling has the strength to accommodate the range hood vent. It should be able to support the weight of the range hood without letting it fall and break.

Next, wear some gloves and preferably a mask so that you don't get injured during the process of installing the vent.

Step 1: Deconstruct the Range Hood Vent

First, ensure that you have all the things and tools ready to not get extended due to missing or faulty parts. This is an important step and will go a long way in installing the vent easily and effortlessly.

Installing the range hood vent vertically means installing the hood through the ceiling instead of the wall.

Now coming towards installing the appliance, begin deconstructing its parts: the mechanical fan and filter one by one. You should also carefully remove the protective film on the range hood if any.

Some modern range hoods may have a protective film cover on the electronic sensor or the control panel.

choose bakeware

Make sure to remove this too. To install the range hood vent effortlessly, ensure that the hood is empty and loosen its constituent parts. After this step is done, attach the other parts as well.

Step 2: Measure and Mark the Spots on the Ceiling

After you take the measurements, make sure you mark the spots on the ceiling for precise attachments. You will need to use a measuring tape for this. Then mark spots for the dimensions on the ceiling.

You can also mark each of the 4 corners with a marker or pencil so that you get the most precise detail. The center of the mounting bracket should be in sync with the center of the spots you just drew on 4 sides of.

Step 3: Puncture Holes on the Marked Spots with a Drilling Machine

After you have marked the spots, the following step is to drill holes on the spots. To vent a range hood from the ceiling, you will need a drill machine. After drilling the holes, you will have to put electric wires through them.

This step will demand you to be precise and accurate. If you make a mistake here, it won't be easy to continue the process, and you will have to start over.

Depending on your ceiling's material, whether it's cement, concrete, or wood, you will need a wide variety of tools.

After you are done with the markings for an opening outside the ceiling, drill an opening for the range hood. When drilling the hole, ensure that the hole is at least 3-4 feet away from chimneys and toilet vents.

If you are a beginner, it might be difficult, but keep your hands steady and follow these steps. It's always recommended that you use a sabre saw or a jigsaw when doing the outlining part so that you get the most precision out of it.

To remove any shingles, you should use a hooked blade instead of removing them with the jigsaw itself.

Step 5: Fix the Deconstructed Units

Don't forget about the Deconstructed units in step one for the range hood vent. Now to install the range hood vent fix those units correctly.

Be cautious before fixing them together with the wire clips. You may take some help with this step if you find it difficult.

Step 6: Mount the Range Hood Vent

After you have successfully managed to finish step 5, start to mount the range hood vent. Ensure that you have not left out any unit for the range hood and that the units are well fused.

Then begin by ducting the holes of the vent together within one point and mount the range hood on the ceiling into the hole. Since the range hood is likely to be quite heavy, make sure you've got someone helping you to lift the hood while trying to mount it.

Step 7: Enclose the Range Hood

After you are done mounting the range hood vent, ensure that it has been fixated and secured properly. The following action you should take is to enclose the range hood with ceiling gum's help, as it will hold it effectively.

You should focus on the holes at the center of the pipe and ensure it's closed properly. Having at least 2 screws will be sufficient to ensure that the hood is properly in place.

If you have doubts over how firm the hood is, you can just tap or tug on the hood lightly to check for loose screws. You can also use ceiling tar on the hood to make sure that it stays firm.

The pipes connected to the roof will also require some ceiling gum to enclose them. The units need to be steady while applying this. This step requires some precision and accuracy.

Step 8: Wrap up the Procedure and clear up the mess

After you have mounted the range hood vent, make sure to settle any device you may have deconstructed for safety reasons. For instance, the fan in the kitchen… Put it back to its original place and clean up the kitchen space, which may have any cement debris or dust and other equipment.

To conceal all the wires and the rest of the work from venting, you can simply pull down the chimney to the top of the hood.

Once the whole installation process is over, it is important to clean up the remaining garbage, such as debris from drilling and other tools and equipment. If your kitchen is not clean after installing the range hood vent, then the whole process of installing it becomes worthless.

Apart from making your kitchen look better and protecting the tools to make them last longer, cleaning up the post-installation works also has another main benefit. You can avoid potential injuries to yourself that might be caused by sharp items lying on the floor as part of the debris.

Key Tips

During installation, ensure that power outlets connected to the kitchen and located close to the venting hood are switched off to avoid any potential electric accidents.
When cutting the wires for installation, using wire nuts is a good option.
Also, never do the whole installation process with wet hands as these could lead to electric shocks.
Insulating the ductwork will prevent leakages. Make sure to do so.

FAQs

How much does it cost to install a range hood vent?

To install a range hood, the nominal cost is between $500 and $1,500, an average of $750 for a simple replacement of a range hood with existing ductwork.

Can I vent the range hood in the attic?

Yes, you can vent a range hood in the attic, but ideally, it is not recommended to get one. Since the range, the hood should be vented usually through the roof, and venting it through the attic will require installing extra ductwork, which is expensive and extra work.

Does the range hood need to be vented?

Undoubtedly, it is recommended to vent a hood because it removes any heat, steam, smoke, cooking odors as well as grease particles, which keeps your kitchen clean.

What kind of duct is best for venting a range hood?

A rigid duct is best for venting a range hood as it is a one-time installation and requires very little maintenance. It is extremely durable too.

Vertical or horizontal ventilation is best?

Getting both vertical and horizontal ventilation would be the better choice. You can get this easily by using convertible range hoods. You can use them either as a ducted vent or ductless hood. This will allow ventilation through both the vertical axis as well as the horizontal axis.

Conclusion

Cooking with a strong smell of spices and having grease or oil particles all over your kitchen can give such an unhygienic and unappealing look.

A range hood vent in the kitchen improves the circulation of air and keeps the kitchen clean.

It is necessary to install one as it aids in cleaning the air while cooking and makes you feel comfortable, and gives a classy look to your kitchen. As per our suggestion, installing a range hood through the ceiling is the most efficient option. Rest you can decide as per space, locality and your needs.

Since professional installations are expensive, employing the DIY strategy and following these steps on installing a range hood vent through the ceiling or a wall can be extremely cost-effective. It will help you save a lot of money and be an interesting project to work on with your family.

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