Range Hood Venting & Kitchen Exhaust Ducting
I duct range hoods to the outside with properly sized rigid ducting and exterior terminations, clearing smoke, grease, and steam instead of recirculating it.
What I do
- Duct range hoods to exterior wall or roof caps
- Size ducting to the hood's airflow rating
- Install smooth rigid duct and transitions
- Add make-up air considerations for powerful hoods
- Convert recirculating hoods to ducted exhaust
Common problems I fix
- Recirculating hoods that never clear smoke or grease
- Undersized duct that chokes a powerful hood
- Long flex runs that cut airflow and trap grease
- Missing or poorly sealed exterior terminations
Good-fit projects
- Kitchen renovations
- High-output gas ranges needing real exhaust
- New range hood installations
- Homes with recirculating hoods being upgraded
A range hood is only as good as the duct behind it. A powerful hood connected to undersized or restrictive ducting is loud and ineffective, and a recirculating hood never actually removes grease and steam from the kitchen. I duct range hoods to the outside, sized to do the job.
Does a range hood need to vent outside?
For real performance, yes. A ducted hood carries smoke, grease-laden air, and steam out of the home; a recirculating hood only passes air through a filter and returns it to the room. If you cook often or run a high-output gas range, ducted exhaust makes a clear difference.
Why a powerful hood still does not clear the air
The usual cause is the ducting, not the hood. Duct that is undersized, runs too far, or uses restrictive flex and tight elbows chokes airflow, so the fan is loud but moves little air. I size smooth rigid duct to the hood’s rating and keep the route as direct as the home allows.
Planning hood venting in a kitchen renovation
The best time to get hood venting right is during a kitchen renovation, while walls, ceilings, or cabinets are open. For very high-output hoods, I also flag where make-up air needs to be considered so the hood can pull properly.
Where I provide this service
I serve Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton, and nearby Sea to Sky communities. See service areas.
Related services
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a range hood need to be vented outside?
For real performance, yes. A ducted range hood vented outside removes smoke, grease, and steam; a recirculating hood only filters and returns air to the kitchen. I duct hoods to an exterior termination sized to the hood's airflow.
Why is my range hood loud but not clearing the air?
Usually the ducting is undersized, too long, or full of restrictive flex and elbows, so the fan works hard but moves little air. I install smooth rigid duct sized to the hood and route it to a clean exterior termination.