How High Should You Mount a Range Hood?

The kitchen is the heart of many homes, so mounting a range hood at the correct height will help to reduce strong cooking smells. Mounting a range hood requires some experience and should ideally be completed by a professional. However, if you're advanced in your DIY skills, you can proceed with the first step: finding a proper placement.

The 411

The power of the hood is measured in CFM (cubic feet per minute), and maintaining its performance depends on the location of the hood. The position of the range hood will depend on the height of the cooktop and the height of the people using it. Although measuring from the floor to the top of the cooktop is not necessary, it will help to identify if people are likely to injure themselves on the corners of the hood.

Also, keep in mind that if a range hood is mounted too high, it will have to work a lot harder to reduce kitchen pollutants.

Pencil Marks the Spot

The standard range hood can be installed at a height as low as 18 inches up to 24 inches from the stovetop, while the high capacity can be installed at between 24 and 30 inches. The height above a gas stove should also be a bit more than for an electric stove, not going below 24 inches. Measure the height of the range hood, then add the desired height above the cooktop, and make a mark with a pencil. This will highlight where the bottom of the hood will be.

Make another pencil mark on the wall to show where the top of the range hood will be.