I would ask the hood manufacturer what are the consequences of using a height different from the recommended height, and be guided by their input. There may be a safety concern.

Lowering a hood will actually make it somewhat more effective. The only issue is whether the hood will be too low for you to comfortably stand there and cook.

Hoods have to do two things well, capture and containment (C&C). Lower height improves capture, thinner (top to bottom) degrades containment.

Deeper, front-to-back, can interfere with vision unless the cook is shorter than the hood height, but improves capture up to where it is overkill. Assume that from the edge of the largest pan to be used on each of the burners a plume of combustion and cooking products rises while expanding at about 7 degrees half angle. The hood should be larger at its height than this expanding plume.

In other words, at a low height of 26 inches, you may be able utilize a hood that is shorter front to back, recovering some visibility.

If you're doing the remodel with permits, you might want to check with your local building department. The County building inspector told me the noncombustible hood could be no closer than 30" from the stove top.

In case others may face the same problem, the hood height issue worked out fine. We did the mock up of the hood with cardboard and felt it would work out okay. We now have the hood and the range installed and it is fine. The height is about 27" above the range. For a tall cook, it might be a little low but since I am 5'2" it is not a problem for me. Now to decide on a backsplash over the range. Thanks to those who gave such insightful responses. Sorry 'bout all the fingerprints on the stainless - couldn't wait to take pics.

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Fingerprints show you're actually using it...that it's not just a showcase kitchen! Very nice, by the way!

Very nice! 27 inches is better but recommended hood height is minimum 30 inches and usually max is 36 inches. Most codes require a minimum of 30 inches and your warranty could be jeopardized by not complying with spec's. Just something to think about.

Code, if any, only applies to combustible surfaces such as a wood hood, not stainless. In fact, OTR microhoods generally mount lower than 30". I think you'll be fine.

Looks great - I'm short too, and while mine is at 30", I think it could have worked lower for me. Sometimes it's nice being short! Ha ha!