Understanding range hood style

They're called vent hoods, stove hoods, extractor hoods, cooker hoods, and range hoods (one word - rangehoods - if you're in Australia).

All those names describe the same thing: a device that collects your polluted kitchen air and vents it either outside or filters it internally. Every properly equipped kitchen needs one, for your health mostly, but also because a finely crafted and tasteful vent hood can become the aesthetic focal point of your entire kitchen design.

Modern range hoods draw on centuries of craft. CopperSmith is proud to make a catalog of styles that can complement and elevate any kitchen. Choose materials, from a brushed stainless steel range hood to a copper range hood, and a multitude of details including trim and apron, for a range hood as unique as the kitchen it will inhabit.

What are the different types of hood vents?

First, let's take a look at the different styles of range hoods offered by World CopperSmith. There are seven primary lines, each containing several variations of the essential silhouette.

Artisan

The Artisan is a balanced and nuanced design. Its apron and trim can be customized fully, as with all of our models, making for a truly versatile hood.

Classic

With a somewhat stouter and more square silhouette than the Artisan, the Classic embodies elegance without the need to be flashy.

Designer

A statement piece, the Designer line features a refined box shape that possesses a serious visual presence. The three variations are quite different from one another, each suiting a unique aesthetic disposition.

Euro

The Euro's slim "chimney" gives this vent hood a delicate feeling, balanced by a broad hood opening.

Modern

Our Modern hood silhouette plays off a pleasing pyramidal shape, a synthesis of some of the other models that achieves its own unique effect.

Premier

The Premier has a distinctive front-facing shape with a sloped facade, making this range hood perfect for a wall-mount range hood.

Signature

The Signature has a classy, near-regal appearance, owing to its beautifully sloped shape and ornate detailing. The arched apron appears in several of the models, bringing an inviting geometry to your cooking area.

What should I look for when buying a range hood?

When deciding on a custom hood for your kitchen, take into consideration the rest of your kitchen appliances, countertops, floors, walls, and cabinets. You want your range hood to work with the rest of your kitchen design, playing off the existing texture, color, and shape of your kitchen. Or, if you're embarking on a full kitchen remodel - you want your hood to be part of a coherent whole.

This will mean something different for every kitchen. Discuss your potential selection with someone whose taste in decor you trust. Or, reach out to our customer service, who would be happy to make a suggestion.

Placement

Just as important as the model of range hood is its placement. Your hood should always be placed above your cooktop, so your options are a wall-mounted range hood, an island range hood, or an under-cabinet range hood.

Does a vent hood have to vent outside?

Not necessarily, which brings us to the next consideration, whether your range hood will be ducted or ductless.

A ducted range hood brings your polluted kitchen air to the outdoors. This may require a duct extension kit and additional work, depending on the location of your hood and its proximity to the exterior of your home.

A ductless hood, on the other hand, filters your air inside the range hood by extracting through a charcoal filter. This will require a filter change every few months (in contrast to the aluminum mesh filters or baffle filters used in ducted vents, which only rarely require maintenance), but eliminates the need for ductwork.

How do I vent my stove without a hood?

If you don't have room for a proper hood (although an under-cabinet range hood can fit almost any space), it is possible to install a downdraft vent below your stove. However, this won't catch all of the airborne irritants, resulting in incomplete ventilation.

When did range hoods become popular?

Range hoods first became popular in the late Nineteenth Century, as indoor plumbing and ventilation were becoming widespread. In the midst of the Industrial Revolution, people began to realize the crucial importance of home ventilation, especially with heavy cooking fumes.

Which exhaust fan is best for a kitchen?

Exhaust fan power, measured in CFM (cubic feet per minute of air ventilated), varies widely. Most kitchens seeing average use will require around 600 CFM. If your kitchen is rarely used, 300 CFM could be sufficient. If you do a lot of cooking, however, a 900 or 1200 CFM remote control blower may be needed to fully ventilate your space. Our customer service team is happy to help estimate the CFM requirement of your kitchen.

CopperSmith insert fans come standard with tempered glass LED bulbs for lighting, and can be configured for ducted or ductless hoods.

What are the benefits of installing a vent hood in your kitchen? 

There are many benefits associated with installing a vent hood within both commercial and residential kitchens, as they are an invaluable addition to any property. 

To begin with, vent hoods are designed to help improve air quality within the home by filtering out steam, smoke and other unwanted particles from the air within your kitchen. This, within itself, brings forth many benefits. Firstly, improved air quality within the home can help keep your family healthy by significantly reducing the chances of you dealing with any respiratory conditions. This becomes particularly important when you consider that, on average, we spend “90% of our time indoors, where concentrations of some pollutants are often 2 to 4 times higher than the typical outdoor concentrations.” 

This filtration system can also remove unpleasant or overpowering odors from your kitchen, which is excellent news if your cooking skills haven’t entirely caught up to your palette - meaning you often find yourself burning your food. As such, the installation of modern vent hoods in your kitchen can also be a great way to help keep the space clean and well-maintained, as you no longer have to spend hours removing residual grease and other pollutants from your surfaces and appliances. 

Furthermore, as most range hoods, also include some form of lighting, they can brighten up your kitchen, and you can always see what you are doing when cooking - whether you’re making a family favorite dish or trying out a new, complicated recipe. As a result, this can make your kitchen a little safer, though it may be particularly beneficial for those whose kitchens are poorly-lit or do not receive much natural light. 

Installing a modern vent hood in your kitchen can also make the space appear more organized and stylish. In fact, they can create a dynamic focal point which captures the attention of whoever walks through the door. Alternatively, you opted for a vent hood that was more simplistic in style; you can choose different materials and colors to ensure it blends well with the rest of your design choices. Either way, there’s no denying that installing a modern vent hood within your kitchen is a great way to elevate your interior design game, turning your kitchen into an enviable space where luxury and practicality meet. 

Many studies have found that both the practicality and style brought forth when installing range hoods in your home can actually increase the value of your property - which is useful even if you do not plan on moving home right away, as every cent counts in the current housing market. As such, they can also make your home feel more luxurious, which could help you regain your love of cooking or even encourage you to spend more time in the kitchen. 

Are there any disadvantages to installing a modern vent hood? 

In years gone by, many people were reluctant to install vent hoods within their homes because they believed that it required a lot of maintenance to install in the first place, especially if the vent had to vent outside. However, as there are now ducted and ductless options available, this is no longer the case. 

Furthermore, when kept in good condition, modern vent hoods can stand the test of time, meaning they are well worth the initial installation fees and costs. After all, not only will they help you to keep your kitchen clean, but they’ll also help maintain your health - which is something that is impossible to put a price on.

Are modern vent hoods easy to maintain?

As modern vent hoods are, by their very design, a maintenance tool, they are relatively easy to keep in good working order. However, the frequency at which they should be cleaned will likely vary depending on your usage - as the more time you spend cooking, the more care and attention they will need.

Typically, it is advised that you wipe down the vent hood at least once a week to prevent the build-up of pollutants and grease on the surface. By staying on top of this task, you can ensure that your oven hood not only looks great but runs efficiently too. You can usually use soap and water to carry out this task, though you should be sure to use a non-abrasive cloth to avoid scratching the surface of your vent hood. 

Customize with CopperSmith

Maybe your home is a rustic cottage, with farmhouse sinks and natural copper fixtures that exude warmth and timeless craft. Or maybe yours is an ultra-modern abode, with black stainless steel appliances contrasting marble counters.

From one end of the aesthetic spectrum to the other, and everywhere in between, World CopperSmith offers premium vent hoods handcrafted to the highest standards of excellence. Protect your lungs and beautify your space with a custom range hood from our collection.