Installing Decorative Kitchen Hood-Center Room
Recently I helped install a stainless steel kitchen range hood in the center of a room. Installing this decorative appliance was a much easier task than I thought it would be. It was tricky because the installation location was in the middle of the room.We did discover a few unforeseen problems but because two heads are better than one we were able to overcome the obstacles
The new fixture was being hung in an area of the house where several walls had been removed and most of the ceiling had been torn out because of water damage.
The ceiling rafters were exposed; so we decided to get the vented hood partially installed. This way the electrical could be routed into the proper position. It would be easier to install additional bracing and run the new vent pipes before the drywall hanger covered everything up too.
The new kitchen plans had a three sided wall-island that was to receive a high bar countertop and the design accounted for the range to be centered in the middle section.
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There were no upper cabinets in the layout over this area, only the decorative range hood would hang from the ceiling.
This meant that we were going to have to cut 2” x 4” bracing boards on angles so that the hoods mounting frame could be supported the ceiling rafters.
The challenge was figuring out how we were going to get the extra bracing in the correct spot.
Here’s How to Install a Decorative Hood-Middle Room
- We placed the hood on top of a piece of cardboard and traced it, and then we cut out the template.
- Next we placed the mounting structure/tower in the exact position on the cardboard in relation to how the decorative hood would attach to it. We traced its shape and marked out where the screw holes were located that would secure the apparatus to the bracing in the rafters and carry the weight of the appliance.
- Then we placed the cardboard template on top of the rafters. Using a 6’ level, in a vertical position, we aligned the templates edge with the plumb level position that was flush with the back edge of the stub wall.
- We had marked a center line on the wall and a center line on the template and used a plumb-bob to position the cardboard hood replica perfectly in relation to the wall below.
- Once it was aligned correctly, we double checked everything and made marks on the rafters. We did this so that when we removed the template and had to stick it back up there, we would be able to easily align the cardboard to the proper position using the marks as a guide.
- We then traced the rafter’s positions onto the cardboard so that we would know how to cut the 2” x 4” bracing that we needed to install to attach the decorative stainless steel hood’s mounting frame to.
- We installed the additional bracing using steal L-shaped mounting brackets and screws. We used screws rather than nails just in case we might have to reposition the bracing to a different spot, if by chance we missed the mark.
- We then taped the pattern to the adjustable mounting frame in perfect position as it related to the real hood.
- With both of us on the ladders again, we worked together getting the hood’s mounting frame into perfect position using the plum-bob. We then drilled holes through the bracing and fastened the frame in place.
We did discover a potential problem with the hood installation just prior to fastening the additional bracing to the rafters. There was a support beam that was installed that was actually right next to the hood area. When we originally used our level to plum the installation point from the lower wall to the rafters, we did not account for enough space for the decorative appliance to miss the beam.
So, we had to move a couple of the supports that we had already secured. There were really no other problems with installing the decorative range hood.
The rest of the decorative appliances installation was a breeze once the support frame was bolted to the ceiling. Mounting the stainless steel hood in the center of the room was just a matter of inserting and fastening a few bolts and nuts after the adjustable hanging support was fastened secure. Prior to fastening the hood, we had slid the stainless steel cover over the frame. The cover was a two part piece that adjusted from 2’ to 4’ high. It only fastened at the ceiling area and then rested on top of the decorative hood. The final installation of the actual hood took three people. Two of us held it in place while the third person installed the screws and fastened the nuts securley.