Many people have a love-hate relationship with range hoods. For some, they’re an attractive way to have a statement piece in the kitchen. For others, they take up room that can be used for other purposes. Ventilation in a kitchen is very important, but a range hood is not the only way to install an above-range fan.

There are many other vent options available that can be installed in the ceiling above the range, if a hood is not your thing. Plus, microwaves often come with a fan system to help circulate air above the range. There are pros and cons to any option, including hood vents, that can help determine which system is best for your space and needs.

The Importance of Kitchen Ventilation

Every time you cook, grease, heat, and moisture accumulate in the kitchen. Of course the levels will vary depending on how often you cook and the cooking methods, but this accumulation can wreak havoc on your investments. Proper kitchen ventilation not only removes odors and smoke, but aids in air quality, safety, and comfort:

• Captures airborne grease particles to keep things cleaner (who hates deep cleaning??)
• Removes harmful byproducts of gas stoves or high-heat cooking
• Keeps the kitchen temperature comfortable and pulls out excess moisture
• Helps to extend the life of your cabinets, appliances, and finishes

Ventilation systems include ductless/recirculating, when the air is filtered and then recirculated back into the room, or ducted systems that require vents that lead outside of the house through the roof or siding.

Although range hoods tend to be the most robust and powerful vents, they can’t be accommodated in every kitchen. If simply looking for proper ventilation, there are many other options to choose from!

No Hood for Me

If your space can’t fit an overhead hood vent, or you just aren’t the biggest fan of range hoods, you can still get the ventilation you need! The easiest swap is a microwave, especially if you’re already planning to have one in your kitchen. They include a built-in venting system (ducted or recirculating) but are less powerful than standalone hoods.

Other options such downdraft ventilation or ceiling-mounted exhaust fans can be used in lieu of a hood. Downdraft ventilation is usually placed inside or next to the cooktop, and pulls smoke/steam down into ducts. This works great for islands with a cooktop, or where overhead/ceiling clearance isn’t an option. Wall or ceiling-mounted fans can also provide air circulation but won’t be effective at capturing grease or a lot of smoke. Think of these as similar to bathroom ceiling fans!

If you love the look of a hood, or have the space and want to install more powerful ventilation, range hoods can also become a statement piece in your kitchen.

Types of Kitchen Hoods

Hood styles can range from the design down to the material used. They can be in-line with your upper cabinets, suspended above an island, or even behind or beside the cooktop itself!

Wall-mounted chimney hoods are most commonly used in open kitchens for their bold architectural look, serving as a statement piece. They’re installed on the wall above the range, replacing upper cabinets in that section. The chimney vents air outside the home, and they usually come in stainless steel, glass, or custom finishes. You can even have them match your kitchen cabinets, with an unfinished wood hood!

Under-cabinet hoods are exactly what they sound like, designed to neatly fit below any cabinetry. While compact, they are still effective and are great for smaller kitchens, or if you don’t want to lose any coveted cabinet space. Plus, they can vent outside or just recirculate the air!

When a range is installed in a kitchen island, a hood can be suspended from the ceiling over the range, naturally called an island hood. They tend to be larger and more powerful than their counterparts, since they don’t have walls to help funnel air, and create a dramatic focal point in the center of the room typically in sleek, modern designs.

Insert/custom hoods, or hood liners, are ideal for a seamless, integrated look while still giving peak performance. These hoods are built into custom cabinetry or hidden behind a decorative enclosure, allowing the hood to match the kitchen design with different finishes (wood, tile, or plaster for example).

Downdraft hoods are often located behind or next to the range, rising up when turned on. They pull smoke and steam down into ducts and out the house, unlike other hood vents that pull the air up and out. They do however tend to be less effective for heavy-duty cooking versus the overhead hoods, but are a good option for island ranges where overhead hoods are not an option.

The professional/commercial-style hood is perfect for those going all out with their cooking, or home chefs who use intense gas ranges or grill, or cook often with oil or a wok. These hoods are larger and more powerful since they’re inspired by restaurant kitchens, and feature heavy-duty stainless steel and baffle filters.

Finally, we have the simple over-the-range microwave hood. If you’re already planning to install a microwave, a combo microwave with built-in ventilation is convenient for saving space. Just know, these vents are less powerful than dedicated, full-sized hoods but should work fine for light or moderate cooking.

But the question on everyone’s mind… if you want a microwave but also want a kitchen hood, do you need to give one up?? Of course not! Custom microwave cabinets are the perfect way to have your cake and eat it too. While usually installed in the island cabinets, they can be placed virtually anywhere you would have a cabinet.

Kitchen hoods are not only a necessity to keep the air clean in your kitchen, but provide protection for your cabinets and appliances by reducing the smoke and grease accumulating on them. Plus, you can make your range hood a statement piece with differing material, or even a wood hood with a color that pops against your cabinet choice. With so many styles and options, there’s a hood for every kitchen design.

Working with The RTA Store

The RTA Store is your online one-stop-shop for all your cabinet needs and accessories (including kitchen range hoods!). Our ready-to-assemble and pre-assembled kitchen cabinets give you the look and durability of custom cabinetry at 30-50% less than big box stores. With A-grade plywood boxes and door/drawer fronts a combination of hardwood and MDF/HDF, our cabinets come with a 20 year limited warranty.

But don’t stop there – we also have all the accessories you would need for your dream kitchen and inside cabinets. Work with The RTA Store to complete your kitchen with kitchen range hoods, sinks and faucets, backsplash tile, countertops, flooring, and under-cabinet lights.

From spice drawers and plate dividers to mixer lifts and trash pullouts in the kitchen, you’ll find more inside cabinet accessories at The RTA Store than you’ll have room for. And it’s not limited to just the kitchen! Think file organizer for the office, hamper pullout in the laundry room, or vanity organizer in the bathroom, to make your space exactly how you want it.

Not ready to commit to a cabinet collection? Ordering fully-refundable cabinet door samples is a great way to see the style and color in your exact space and lighting. You’d be surprised how different a finish can look in different lighting! Plus, many of our cabinets have matching collections that you can mix together in one room, with one collection for upper cabinets and another for lower cabinets, or different cabinets for the kitchen island.

Once you’re ready to start planning, a member of our free design service will work closely with you from steps A-Z, letting you know exactly what size cabinets you need for your space and double-checking to make sure everything lines up perfectly. Our upgraded design service gives you unlimited design revisions and unlimited price quotes, plus the cost of the service is taken off your total once you order!

No matter the room or cabinet of your choice, we’re here to help you make your dream space a reality at whatever budget you need. Located near the Hudson Valley in New York? Come visit our showroom on Route 52 in Hopewell Junction, NY!