Measuring for a Perfect Fit Range Hood

The beauty of a custom range hood from CopperSmith is that it can fit your space perfectly. Not pretty close. Not "good enough."

Perfectly.

Of course, that perfect fit requires accurate measurements. That's what this page is all about. We'll break down the basics of using a measuring tape to dial in your range hood dimensions perfectly.

Start with the Cooking Surface

Begin your measurements with the cooking surface itself. This is the biggest variable in determining how large your range hood will need to be. As a general rule of thumb, your vent hood should be at least as wide as your cooking surface, if not a little wider.

Common range hood sizes align nicely with standard cooktop dimensions. However, if you order a custom hood from CopperSmith, you won't have to worry about standard range hood dimensions, as you can dial in your order with us to whatever size is best for your needs.

When you measure your cooktop, be sure to collect these three pieces of information -

• Cooktop or range width

• Cooktop depth

• Manufacturer clearance requirements

You can get the first two numbers with a tape measure. For the last, consult your owner's manual to see how high the hood is supposed to be placed above the cooktop. Often, this will be between 30'' and 36'' for a gas range, but it's best to confirm.

Measure Cabinet-to-Cabinet Width

If your range hood is going between upper cabinets, measure the space between those cabinets carefully. You have to get this number right to make the hood fit perfectly without excessive gaps on the sides.

To get accurate measurements, consider using a ladder. Trying to reach up to awkward heights from ground level is a recipe for taking a bad measurement.

Never Assume Square

It's not enough to take one measurement between these two upper cabinets. That's because you can't assume anything in your home is square. It's rare for everything in a house to be square, or even particularly close to square, so multiple measurements are always needed.

In this case, that means recording a measurement at the top, middle, and bottom of the cabinets. These numbers may not all be the same. You might find that the opening at the bottom is a half-inch narrower than at the top, for example. Without taking all three measurements, you'd have missed that detail, and the hood wouldn't have fit.

Confirm Hood Height

Next up on your measurement list is the height of the hood. For this, you'll need to know how high above the cooktop the hood is going to be mounted, which we discussed earlier.

For the sake of this section, let's say the bottom of your hood is going to be placed 30'' above the cooking surface. You need to know how tall the hood needs to be to reach the bottom of your cabinets or the ceiling.

To get that number, measure from the top of the cooking surface up to the bottom of the cabinets (or to the ceiling). Subtract 30'' from your measured number and you'll have the appropriate height for your new vent hood.

Accounting for Ceiling Height and Slope

If your kitchen ceiling is sloped, you'll need to account for that in your measurement. Take a measurement from the back of the cooking surface up to the ceiling, then again from the front of the cooktop straight up to the ceiling. The measurement from the front of the cooking surface should be larger.

Knowing these two numbers will help you work with a custom fabricator to create the right range hood for your space. Fortunately, CopperSmith specializes in just these types of projects, so you've already found the perfect partner for this project.

Depth is an Overlooked Factor

Don't forget about the depth of your cooktop in this equation. We mentioned measuring the depth of the range earlier, but it's important to remember to factor that variable in when designing your hood and placing your order.

Specifically, make sure your hood is deep enough to cover the front burners. Whether you have a gas or electric range, the front burners are often the most powerful. It's hard to achieve proper venting if your hood doesn't reach out and cover those burners completely. If you are upgrading from a microwave hood combination to enjoy optimal performance, getting this depth measurement right is key.

Island Installations Require Additional Measurements

Many of the measurements you need for an island hood will be the same as those for any other hood. You'll still need to know the cooktop width and depth, along with the distance from the cooktop to the ceiling.

Additionally, you'll want to know the width of the island as a whole. Also, how much clearance is there from nearby walkways in the kitchen? Sizing your island range hood so it is big enough to move kitchen air effectively but not so big that it gets in the way is a tricky balance to strike. Having as many measurements as possible on hand will make designing the hood easier.

Remember the Golden Rule of Measuring

It might be a cliche, but it's too important to leave out of this post. When measuring for your new custom range hood, always measure at least twice before moving forward with the project.

Even if you are absolutely sure that you got the measurements right, go over it all again for peace of mind. Consider doing your second round of measurements on a different day, so you come to the project with fresh eyes. Write down all of your measurements the first time, set the paper to the side, and come back another day to do it again. If those numbers all line up with each other, you can be confident in ordering the right size range hood for your kitchen.

A Trusted Partner for the Job

CopperSmith is an industry leader in custom metal range hoods. Our experience in this area is second-to-none, and we'll use that experience to bring your vision to life. From the use of high-quality metals to the hand finishing performed by expert craftsmen, everything about our product will exceed expectations. Look around our site to find the ideal hood or contact us now to get help.