In this video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva installs a new range vent hood.

Project details

Skill

Cost

Estimated Time

Steps for Installing a Range Vent Hood

  • Use a 6-inch-diameter hole saw to cut a hole through the interior wall surface, directly above the range. Collect the dust with wet/dry vacuum while cutting the hole.
  • If the hole saw can’t cut through the interior wall in one pass, stop cutting, remove the plaster from the hole, and continue drilling.
  • If necessary, use a multi-tool to cut wood lath from the 6-inch hole.
  • Replace the hole saw with a ¼-inch-diameter bit and drill through the backside of the wall sheathing to the outdoors.
  • From outside, use the 6-inch hole saw to cut through the siding and wall sheathing.
  • Make a mounting plate by cutting 6-inch-diameter hole through a piece of PVC trim.
  • Hold the PVC plate against the house siding, and trace around it with a pencil.
  • Use an angle grinder to cut the siding along the pencil lines.
  • Apply bead of silicone adhesive around the hole in wall. Press the PVC mounting plate tight to the wall, and secure with screws.
  • Use duct tape to attach a 6-inch-diameter elbow to the vent cap.
  • From outside, slide the vent cap into the hole and secure it to the mounting plate with self-tapping screws.
  • From inside the kitchen, slide an elbow through hole and onto vent cap elbow. Secure with duct tape.
  • Screw the vent-hood mounting brackets to kitchen wall; be sure to drive the screws into wall studs.
  • Slide the vent hood into the brackets and secure with screws driven into wall studs.
  • Make the electrical connections to provide power to the vent hood’s light and exhaust fan.
  • Install the vertical cover to conceal the exposed ductwork.

Tools:

Tools & Materials

  • Drill/driver
  • Hole saw bit - 6-in.
  • Wet/dry vacuum
  • Oscillating multi-tool
  • Drill bit - 1/4-inch
  • Angle grinder
  • Caulk gun
  • Wire stripper