How to build a Range Hood

In the case of the range hood, I knew  what I didn’t want:  I was completely sure I didn’t want  a microwave in its place (for me, the main cook in this household, a microwave up there is just too high), I didn’t want a recirculating unit (I just hate don’t like them).  What I wanted was something like this, but without their big price tags:

by Bhg

by Massuco Warner Miller Interior Design
at Decorpad

Ohh!  So many years had passed for me wanting to tackle this project!  Every time I cooked!  Especially something “fishy”!  When your whole house stinks!  Finally the time arrived!!!

It was a pleasure to get rid of that old re-circulating hood!  I think they should be banned!  The cabinet on top was also removed.

 

I knew it had to be duct air outside but the prices for what I wanted were plain and simple out of my budget.  So, here it is how I went:

Price was important but also efficiency and look!  After reading many reviews, we kind of settled on two models of Range Hood Inserts (that’s what they are called when you are going to provide a cover for it): The Broan 103023 and The Broan PM390. 

We got the Broan PM390 with the LB30 Hood Liner:

When I got the product I set to work on the cover following a project presented in the Family Handyman Magazine Feb/10 issue by one of its readers: Mr. Tom Pollard.  Here are his pictures:

 

I was and still so grateful of him for posting his project!  At that time I couldn’t find something better that I could relate to!  Thank you, again.

I began building something like a “box or drawer” that would fit the liner pretty well, and strong enough to hold the exhaust system.

The sides were built out of pine, the big plate out of plywood.

You can see the rough sketch indicating the pieces I needed.  Notice that the dimensions at the back and front are slightly different to build it to my exact specifications.

The inside opening and how high to install it was determined by following the instructions from the manufacturer.

It was screwed to the wall studs and to the cabinets on each side.  The sides panels (not shown), were cut and installed secured to the side of the cabinets and to the back wall. 

Here is the sketch of what the final hood had to look like:

I couldn’t run the vent pipe to the outside through that back wall because on the other side of that wall is my dining room! The only way to run the duct pipes to the outside was by fitting it up to the top, and connecting an elbow to go on top of the cabinets and to the outside on the left.

For this model the required 6” round metal duct was easy to find at most home centers, but the wall cap had to be order online from Lowes.

Broan 641

The opening on the wall was made, the wall cap was installed, and the ductwork joints were sealed with duct tape until connected to the exhaust system.    My husband helped me a lot in these entire hood step.  He installed an electrical outlet right behind the enclosure because this system had to be grounded.  This is how it looked at the end of the day:

After sanding pretty well the rough edges it was ready for trim, primer and paint.

This is how it looks today:

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The range hood was finish, now it was time to work on closing the space above it!

You can also click on the next links for:
how to paint the cabinets.
Install a marble backsplash.
Add moldings to your kitchen cabinets 
Build a fridge enclosure.
Update the kitchen island
Tips about installing recessed lights
Final kitchen reveal
Kitchen cost breakdown
1½ Year Later How the kitchen is Holding up



Thanks,



Link Party:

Addicts not so anonymous at Addicted 2 Decorating
Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk Interiors