Fireplace hood: overview, features, types and technology of the installation

An extract in the kitchen is an indispensable attribute. The cleanliness and microclimate of the whole housing depends on how correctly this equipment is selected. A wide range of devices allows you to purchase a suitable model for any design project. One of the most interesting options is a fireplace hood. What kinds of it exist, how to choose and mount correctly, we will consider in more detail.

Why "fireplace" hood?

This name was given to the equipment due to the similarity with the casing over the fireplace. Variants of execution, material, kind of application of a facing layer allow to pick up the device under any stylistic decision. The fireplace hood can easily fit in retro style and country, modern and classic. In addition, the equipment has good technical characteristics that can easily cope with fever, food smells and grease. This will make the stay in the kitchen and the cooking process as comfortable as possible.

The fireplace hood is also called the dome. The shape of the casing can also be trapezoidal and rectangular. Facing such devices can be found from simple stainless metal, glass and noble wood.

Design features

Any fireplace hood has a number of common parts:

• Casing;
• A false pipe;
• fan;
• Control unit with switches;
• Illumination system;
• filter;
• Decorative elements.

As you can see, the standard hood device is quite simple. There are more sophisticated systems with touch controls and advanced functionality. Let us consider which classification of models exists.

Types of hoods by the way they work

I distinguish two types of devices:

• Flowing. One of the most popular types of equipment. The principle of operation is the removal of polluted air flows from the room to the street. For such models, installation in a general ventilation system or directly out to the street is required.

• Circulating. Such devices do not require integration into ventilation systems. Their operating principle is based on the filtration of incoming air and its return (recycling). A distinctive feature - the quality of the work is determined by the frequency of the filter change and the properly selected performance.

Flowing fireplace hood has a high efficiency, this is the basis of its popularity.

Types of hoods in the place of installation

There are only three versions of such devices:

• Wall-mounted. Mounting is performed over the thermal equipment to the wall.
• Island. Often the plates are located in the center of the kitchen. For such cases, an island hood of a fireplace type is provided.
• Corner ones. For small kitchens, each useful centimeter of space is needed, so for a number of projects, heat equipment is placed in a corner. It is possible to emphasize the unique style and perform the main task of air cleaning with the help of an angled drawing. These species have a number of structural features of the working surface.

The design can be straight and sloping. In the second case, this fireplace hood is inclined. Separately, we note another type of device - embedded. Such designs are hidden in the kitchen furniture (hanging cabinets), so they do not belong to the type of fireplace. The offered assortment line will make it easy to choose a unique model for any kitchen.

Features of choice

In order to purchase the equipment successfully coped with the tasks set, when choosing it, attention should be given to such characteristics and features:

• The exhaust hood should be by parameters larger than the surface of the thermal structure.
• Performance. For this purpose, the volume of the kitchen area is calculated, which is multiplied by 12 (the normalized number of times the air changes per hour in the room). Next, the stock should be stocked: as a rule, multiply by a factor of 1.3. The output of the hood is the volume of the kitchen, multiplied by 12 and 1.3.
• The height of the placement above the heat equipment. According to the norms it should be 650-850 mm. A larger parameter requires a larger margin of performance.
• Filter. It can be metal and replaceable elements. The first is easy to clean and lasts a long time. The second option will have to be changed periodically.
• Backlight (how ergonomic it is).
• Equipment power. The more powerful, the higher the productivity.
• Control system. Variations are large, but the more additional functions, the higher the price.
• Noise level.

As you can see, the list of characteristics is quite large. But with these features in mind, you can qualitatively match the hood.

Preparing for installation

For classical domed hoods, it is necessary to provide access to the ventilation duct and connection to the electrical network. What are the features of connection to the ventilation duct? If two separate systems are provided, one of them should serve for natural ventilation of premises, and the second one should be used for forced installation.

If we consider a private house, it is better not to touch the vertical ventilation, and for the flow-through stretching to provide a direct opening to the street. It is necessary to install a check valve in the ventilation duct so that cold air does not penetrate the house.

It is also necessary to put a grate on the inlet to protect against rain and insects. The ventilation system should be firmly secured to the building structure and be insulated with soundproof materials. As for the connection to the mains, for dome structures, there is a wire for direct connection or a grounded outlet.

Installation of a fireplace hood

To begin with, you need to unpack the equipment and see what comes with it. The following elements should be present:

• Casing fastening strap;
• Set of hardware;
• Air duct of the required length;
• Adapter flange with return valve.

If you need to purchase the missing kit, the equipment is installed step by step:

• Markup. It is necessary to draw a straight line according to the level at an altitude of 650-850 mm from the surface of the thermal equipment. Mark locations for fasteners.
• Drill technical holes for dowel-nails.
• Install and fasten the cover to the wall.
• It is connected to the network by means of a switch box or by simply plugging it into an electrical outlet with grounding.

The air duct (corrugation) is attached to the adapter flange and sealed, and the free end is pushed further into the ventilation shaft and foamed with a mounting foam. The mantelpiece is wall-mounted easily. The whole time of operation takes a maximum of 1.5 hours. Island equipment is attached to the ceiling space. Decorative chains are often used.

Reviews

According to the numerous responses of the owners, it is the fireplace hood that is more popular. The reviews indicate that it is better to choose flow options. In addition to beautiful design, such devices are characterized by high efficiency. But at the same time it is noted that one should pay close attention to the calculation of productivity. Otherwise, the equipment will not meet expectations. Proper selection and installation of a fireplace hood will relieve the diligent hostess of unnecessary troubles for washing off a greasy plaque from furniture and fighting stale kitchen odors. Do not forget about the timely maintenance of equipment: cleaning and replacing filters. A wide range of hoods will add more and a stylistic zest in any design that will give the kitchen comfort and comfort.