How to Install a Range Hood Under Cabinet

How to Install a Range Hood Under Cabinet?

Range hood can vent heat and smoke in the kitchen area using internal filter and fan. They are usually purchased alongwith a stove, but you can also buy them separately from the store.

While it’s necessary that large appliances in your house are installed by professionals, it’s quite easy to install your range hood without professional help provided you use the right technique and tools.

We are providing tips on how to properly install a range hood under cabinet

Getting Ready For Range Hood Under Cabinet Installation – Things You Will Need

  • Range hood
  • Noncontact circuit tester
  • Drill bits
  • Power drill with screw tip
  • Wire nuts
  • Wire stripper
  • Screwdriver

Under Cabinet Range Hood Installation – Part 1

Remove existing range hood, if it’s there

This is very easy. Simply detach wires of your old hood by gently unscrewing all wire nuts and then separating connections. Now, request your partner to hold the existing range hood in place as you loosen all its screws that hold it into place. Lift it off the screws, and put it down. Also remove all the loosened screws.

Choosing a new range hood 

  • checkChoose the best range hood under cabinet and one that easily covers your stove-top and there is at least 22-24 inches of clearance. Your chosen range hood should extend few inches on all sides of cooking area. 
  • checkMake sure hood you’re choosing comes with best CFM rating. This rating represents the amount of air that vent can easily pull each minute (in cfm. You can quickly find this number by multiplying the area of your kitchen with 2.250 cfm. 
  • checkInvest in a right sized range hood that will easily fit. You can get 36”, 48”, and 60” sizes from the market. It’s important that your venting range hood vents through proper place in the wall. The range hoods available these days can vent either through roof, the wall or through the cabinets installed above. 
  • checkIf you want to connect your new range hood with existing vent pipe, it’s important that it is in the right position and can connect easily. If, for instance, if the hood range supports upper (cabinet) venting, but your current vent pipe goes straight through the wall right behind the vent, it won’t be possible for you to connect the two. 

Disassemble range hood cover and the filter and fan underneath

You should remove its filters first and then remove bottom panels with the help of a screwdriver. Now check bottom panel underside and make sure the duct connector present there has been unscrewed. It’s placed here to prevent any damage to the hood during transit. 

Finally, go ahead and ensure removal of perforated duct knockout situated at the back end of your hood. You can use a hammer and slotted screwdriver for this, but work gently to avoid any damage to the metal. 

  • To ensure safety, electricity supply of the circuit should be switched off. 
  • Also check if your old hood’s power and light switches are off. 
  • If you new range hood is plug-in type, you just have to unplug it and skip this particular step. 

Under Cabinet Range Hood Installation – Part 2

Preparing the Vent on Vented Hoods

If you’re planning to replace your old range hood, there is no need to drill a new rectangle for your vent or install any ductwork. However, if you’re installing a completely new range hood, you’ll have to do some extra legwork for that. 

Check instruction template

Check instruction template to make the spot on your cabinet or wall for the perfect vent cutout to ensure proper range hood under cabinet installation.

These days, range hoods come with an instruction template. Use water or laser level to help mark the precise middle location on the wall in your kitchen. 

Now line your template right to the wall’s centre and firmly tape it off. At this point start drilling for the cutout. Make sure the cutout perfectly matches the knockout of your range hood perfectly. This step is important to ensure hassle free range hood under cabinet installation.

If there is need, you can drill for range hood’s wiring as well. If you don’t know much about this part, hire an electrician for this part of the project.

Cut out or drill for the vent

Use a wallboard or drill to properly cut through the drywall to get perfect template shape of the cutout. 

If space behind your wall is free of piping or studs, then you’re lucky! However, if there are studs or pipers there, there are so many workarounds.

Work around obstacles which you find in your cutout

While cutting opening for your exhaust vent for range hood under cabinet installation if you encounter piping, open a wider rectangle of the wall to ensure hassle free work. Then do these three things:

  • checkReroute the pipe and re-solder it in a way it leaves the opening completely free. If you cannot handle it, call a general contractor or a professional plumber. 
  • checkDrill 1 X 4 cleats right to the bottom and the top portion of the wall to support this with a newer wall patch. This gives a completely new wallboard which covers up the opening.
  • checkDrill, tape and then mud this wall patch to cover this hole. Once it’s dry, you can remove that original cutout for the exhaust using your template. 

Follow this procedure as discussed before. Install important ductwork in a way it safely leads outside of your home Keep in mind that venting won’t be able to terminate inside the attic or wall-the exhaust should travel through the duct outside the house.

Under Cabinet Range Hood Installation – Part 3

Installing the Hood

  • checkMark all the holes for the cable and screws. At this point, use the template that has come with your range hood. If it’s not available, hold the hood firmly into the place and request your partner to mark inside these holes to install screws for positioning the hood. 
  • checkDrill all screws or mounting brackets into the cabinet or the wall above
  • checkThe exact location where you’ll drill for the screws depends on whether you’re mounting the hood into the existing cabinetry or into the kitchen’s wall. 
  • checkIf you’re mounting into your existing cabinetry, you can drill the screws just halfway into your cabinetry; if you’re mounting on the wall with the help of brackets, drill your screws straight into the wall-your range hood should be able to seamlessly slip over all these screws and then rest on the top of these screws.
  • checkIf you’ve plans to mount into the wall, and your wall is tiled, try to use a hammer and a nail set to track smaller holes right into the tile. This way, tiles won’t get damaged while drilling the mounting brackets into the kitchen wall.
  • checkFor thin cabinets, it’s best to install some wood blocks for accommodating and strengthening the mounting screws. At this point, check the alignment. The vent should exactly match the hole done for the range hood’s ductwork for vented range hood.
  • checkDo some realignment (if needed) before you tighten the screws.

Connect the wires of the Hood

The cable should run from inner side of the wall and right through the existing cable hold of the hood. The light and fan both should have white & black wires attached. If you’re not sure about the electrical connections, be sure to call your electrician.

  • checkTwo black wires in the hood should be connected to the black colored wire coming from the wall.
  • checkThis process should be repeated with the white colored wires.
  • checkGreen grounding wire from the wall should be fastened to the range hood’s grounding screw. 
  • checkIf you want to use a plug of your range hood, simply plug it in the socket.

Now fasten grease guards onto the hood and reattach the filters. Replace hood cover with the help of screws. Power on the hood and check the working of its light as well as fan. 

If range hood is ventilated, check protruding duct to ensure right ventilation.

How to install Under Cabinet Range Vent Hood

Additional tips to properly install a range hood vent in a roof

You can also install a range hood vent in your roof.

Required tools:

  • checkCorded drill
  • checkCaulk gun
  • checkHammer
  • checkPry bar
  • checkJigsaw

Materials required for this particular project:

  • checkAsphalt roof cement
  • check4-in. flexible and rigid duct with proper insulation
  • checkRoofing nails
  • checkExhaust vent mounted on the roof

Choose a vent location in your roof and drill a hole at that particular location. It should be close to the fan location. Drill bit should be left sticking through the roof because it makes it easy for you to find the hole. Go up on your roof and use a reciprocating saw for cutting a small 4 inch rounded hole. Now, measure square slightly bigger than the protruding area of the vent.

You can now remove asphalt shingles using a hook blade on a utility knife. After this, apply asphalt roof cement at the vent’s bottom side. At this stage, vent should be slided gently under the shingles in a way that they properly cover the top half portion of the vent flange. The lower part of the flange sites right on the top portion of the shingles. Now nail lower corners with the help of some roofing nails and tar these heads.

Cost of installing a range hood

For a basic project, the cost of installing a vent hood ranges from $350 – $780 per hood. Actual costs can vary and depend on job size options and present conditions.

About the author

smith brad omni
Brad Smith

Brad Smith is an experienced interior designer and the founder of OmniHomeIdeas.com. With a Master's degree in Interior Design from Pratt Institute and a passion for creating safe and healthy living spaces, Brad shares his expert insights and innovative design ideas with our readers. His work is driven by the belief that home is where every story begins.

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