Kitchen Ventilation

Kitchen ventilation is an important aspect to take into consideration. Without the proper ventilation, harmful pollutants will collect in your air each and every time you cook. There are two ways in which you can catch these gaseous fumes and dispose of them. Your options include installing an updraft vent hood or a downdraft vent. Both of these options will send the fumes out of your home or through a system that re-circulates filtered air.

The system you choose will depend on a few factors. First of all, the layout and structure of your kitchen will play a role on what model will work for you. You also need to take into consideration your local building codes and personal preferences. In addition, systems with low noise rates and high airflow will cost you more. It’s a good idea to know a bit about CFMs and sones before making any final decisions.

Updraft Vent Hood

Updraft vent hoods are located over a cook top or range for effective removable of unwanted fumes. There are two ways in which the fumes can be handled. One way involves a fan pulling the polluted air into it, then pushing the air through filters and finally exhausting the air outdoors through a metal duct. The second way involves a fan drawing the polluted air through filters and then re-circulating clean air back into the kitchen.

Updraft vent hoods are often used as decorative elements in the design of the kitchen. They’re location with the cook top or range also makes for effective removal of unwanted polluted air. However, they can be hard to clean and the filters need to be changed on a regular basis. Lastly, the fans used with updraft vents can often be noisy. On average, expect the cheapest updraft vent hood to run around $100, but the price can extend all the way to the thousands.

Downdraft Vent

Downdraft vents are set up a little differently than an updraft vent hood. Rather than being placed over the cook top or range, a downdraft vent is built into a base cabinet. Polluted air is removed through vents placed on the sides and back of the cook top. This form of ventilation works well with island cooktops. Also, the appearance is much more subtle than an overhanging hood. Unfortunately, downdraft vents only exhaust fumes that are right next to the vent. On average, expect the cost to be about $500.

Looking For More Information About Kitchen Remodeling?

Kitchen remodeling can be an excellent way to add value to your home. You'll want to make sure you are choosing the right kitchen remodel for your home and your budget. We offer Free Kitchen Remodeling Quotes from local, prescreened contractors.