Venting A Range Hood Through The Roof | Range Hood Roof Vent Caps 101
If you’re here, chances are you fall under the vast majority of the population that owns a range hood in your kitchen. Range hoods prevent you from having to slog around, cleaning up the grease from a cooking session. They absorb all forms of grime, dust, and oil from the air – making the space cleaner in a discreet way. If you find yourself frequently breathing in the fumes from the cooking process, it is recommended to switch on your range hood and let it work its magic.
As with the varieties of kitchen layouts recently, there is a myriad of types of range hoods on the market. There are some that are attached directly to the ceiling of your kitchen, while some are attached to the wall behind them. Some are smaller and are meant for smaller kitchen spaces. Based on their size, location and robustness, they can be vented or recirculating. However, we’re going to be talking about the utility of kitchen hood roof vents – an attractive option for those who own vented range hoods of all kinds.
Why Should You Consider Venting Your Range Hood Through The Ceiling?
Venting your range hood through the ceiling will regulate your kitchen air like never before. Since range hoods essentially take in all fumes from the cooking process, chances are that grime can accumulate on the insides of these range hoods. To avoid this, it is best to vent your range hood through the ceiling – this will give the duct access to the fresh, clean air that can avoid the accumulation of dirt inside the duct system.
Not only will there be a minimal accumulation of dirt, but this will also ensure durability for your range hood. With the grime out of the way, your range hood will also have the opportunity to breathe clean air.
However, venting your range hood through the ceiling comes at a heavier price on your pocket. You have to take into account the cost of ducting, installing vent caps, and other such overhead expenses. The exact opposite of what recirculating under cabinet range hoods offer. Sure enough, however, this is a high investment high returns situation.
What Is A Range Hood Roof Vent Cap?
Say you’ve successfully vented your range hood through your ceiling. This ensures that your stuffy kitchen air with all its contaminants gets out, at least. But what’s the next step? How do we make sure nothing unwanted enters the duct? That’s where the role of the roof vent cap comes in.
This cap fits on the end of your range hood that is ducted to your ceiling. These have special filters on them that prevent contaminants from getting in the duct system. This not only allows fumes to find their way out, but also prevents anything getting in the duct that might block your system.
It’s a no-brainer with how important the vent cap is for your range hood installation process. It is super easy to install as well, and guarantees that you don’t have to stress yourself about range hood cleaning. We highly recommend that you make it part of your range hood venting process.
How Do You Vent A Range Hood Through Your Roof?
So, you’ve made the choice to vent your range hood through your roof. While this is an easy process, it can look quite comprehensive if you’re a complete novice with machinery of any kind. Don’t worry, we make it as simple as possible for you. With these few simple steps, you can proudly flaunt your roof venting skills to anyone.
While there are ways on how to vent your range hood through an outer wall or a side wall as well, we recommend that you do it through your roof. There are greatly decreased chances of accidents this way, and your duct is held tighter in place if you’re venting it through your roof. With that being said, let’s move on to the actual steps of how to vent a range hood through a roof.
Note: While getting the accordion duct for venting, you need to check the dimensions of the duct. This is because you’re going to have to invest in a roof vent that is the same diameter (so that these two can be attached without any hassle).
Things you need: accordion duct (careful about the length and width!), electric drill, saw (circular or otherwise, you can take your pick), sealant, pry bar to remove shingles (if needed).
- If you want to DIY your way through venting your range hood through your ceiling, you have to start with your roof first. Pry open the shingles on your roof, one nail at a time, and clear out the area wherein you want your roof to be vented. Be careful to situated this area well away from your eaves!
- Once the area is cleared, run to your attic and begin drilling and sawing a hole wide enough for your ductwork to fit through. This is where the importance of measurements comes in. If you’re not sure, cut open a small hole and then widen it according to the diameter of your ductwork.
- The next thing you’re going to want to do is finally attach your roof vent to your roof. Seal the underside of your vent with sealant and make sure it is sturdy. Reattach the shingles you removed earlier to the sides of your roof vent so as to account for maximum durability. Seal it with caulk at the end of this process.
- Lastly, all you have to do is connect your accordion duct to your roof vent opening. And that’s it; you have a fully installed range hood that vents through the roof – and you did it all yourself!
The process to install a range hood vent on a side wall is similar as well. However, for reasons of convenience, it is best if you stick to venting it through your ceiling. Among others, Island mounted range hoods are the easiest to vent through your ceiling. Another thing of note is if you’re still unsure or are unable to proceed with any of the steps mentioned above – it is best to call a professional!
Improperly installed roof vents can often create more problems and you definitely don’t want debris in your ductwork all year round. However, if you’re confident with the above-mentioned steps, here are some additional steps to DIY roof-venting your ceiling:
- Plan the area through which your duct is going to run through the house. Make sure you account for every nook and cranny. You want to pick an area that ensures the most direct way to open air, no matter how long your duct is.
- When going to your attic to drill open your roof, check for any additional joists, wiring, or anything else that might be obstructive to the process.
- Attach the ductwork to your attic in such a way that it is directly vertical to your range hood. Too many twists and turns can be a hassle.
- When you attach your roof vent to the ductwork, make sure to do it in a way that ensures maximum strength and durability. Even if you live in an environment with considerably calm winds, you want to prepare for the worst-case scenario.
- After your roof vent for range hood is successfully attached with caulk and sealant, make sure that the damper has enough room to move freely. For additional security, you can even install more screens to protect against birds and small animals accidentally knocking themselves into your roof vent system.
The Best Roof Vent Caps – Reviewed
1. Broan-NuTone 634M Steel Roof Cap
This kitchen exhaust roof vent cap promises durability and ease of installation, and is a great pick for the ones who are looking to DIY a few openings at their home. This looks amazingly sleek as well, and can be a totally discreet option for you if that’s what you’re going for. It has no issues with rain and strong winds so far either.
It may not be the best option for you if you’re planning to install this on your side wall instead of on the roof. This works best when installed at a 45-degree pitch on your roof instead, so keep that in mind while purchasing this!
2. Broan-NuTone 636AL Roof Cap
The alternative that’s easier on your finances, this product promises you no rusting for ages, and can be easily installed as well. It comes with a screen that is specially designed to keep small animals out, so you don’t have to bother with an additional screen for that.
The flap, made out of aluminum, can however be quite noisy, and the screen is easily displaced by rough handling. It is not tested against rougher weathers and extreme temperatures, so if you belong to an area with frequent storms and hurricanes, this might not be the roof vent cap for you.
3. Builder’s Best 084633 Galvanized Steel Roof Vent Cap
As any product with galvanized steel, this roof vent cap comes equipped with years of heavy usage. It also includes a removable screen that is not flimsy at all, so you don’t have to worry about more sealants and adhesives to do the job. The manufacturer claims it can also be used for dryers, though that would have you cleaning out additional lint from the screen.
It also cannot be used on a flat roof, so keep that in mind when you’re purchasing this product. Even with its powder coated finish, the product may begin to discolour after a while and look patchy – but you can remedy this by running a paintbrush over it every few years.
4. Vent Systems 4″ inch Round Roof Cap
This is one of the simplest, easiest to install kitchen roof vent caps out there. There are no additional parts in this product so you won’t have to sit there with a user manual, scratching your head in confusion. It is made of fully galvanized steel and the pipe is rounded with rubber, which allows for ease in installation as well.
A major possible drawback with this one can be the size of the filter holes. They’re exceptionally wide and do not account for insects and other small pieces of dirt. To overcome this, you will have to install yet another screen on your duct, so keep that in mind.
5. Broan 437 High Capacity Roof Cap
Perhaps the priciest product on this list, this kitchen hood roof vent cap is designed with state-of-the-art technologies in order to provide you the best service for a long time. You truly get your money’s worth with this one – the bird screen is top-notch and the product is made to handle exceptional amounts of CFM. It promises you extreme durability.
A common problem that was noticed with this product, however, is the vent opening is not circular like most vent roof caps. It’s rectangular and can prove to be a hindrance during the installation process, so keep that in mind before purchase – since this is a high investment indeed!
Summing Up
So you see how simple installing a vented range hood is? Not only does it come with all these useful benefits, it also remains to be good for lung health. No more breathing in obnoxious amounts of soot and fumes – you can DIY your way into a better kitchen and a better lifestyle. Even if you don’t consider yourself handy with tools, you only need to follow a few simple steps in order to vent your range hood through your roof. After that is said and done, the only decision you will require to make here is what roof vent cap you should install – choose from a wide selection of excellent products and pick one that most suits your needs. Happy Tinkering!
I hate my roof vent. I regret using this one. I wish I had known that it was not designed to keep from flapping in the wind. It just serves as an entry way for dirt onto my cook top. It is an easy and noisy exit for conditioned air from inside. I am unable to use it. I have a piece of cardboard placed inside the venthood screen in an effort to slow the flow of air for inside and the dirt from outside. It has been horribly windy and dusty here this year and last. I have to vacuum the dust from my cooktop some days!