Yes you must use an island vent because you see the other side from outside. I always try to find a really slim type of vent because I don't want to block the window.

I love this whole kitchen, but I'm wondering if you could hide the vent up inside a beam running across the top of the window instead. We're doing a more rustic style kitchen and putting the range in front of a bay window. I am trying to find this same counter top for my kitchen as well!

The vent needs to reach to the outside of the house. It could terminate into a beam (that's hollow) or could turn and die into the wall above the window.

Thanks so much! Now I need a builder.....

What part of the country are you in?

Central Virginia. We love timber frame and stone.

I know builders in several areas but that is not one of them!

Well I appreciate it anyways! Thanks for all your help on houzz...it REALLY helps to see what's out there from professionals and give us ideas on what to do to our house remodel! Have a great day!

LOVE this space!! I am doing this in my beach home and am debating venting or non vented charcoal inserts... If you can't vent (condo or cost) you do have a non vented option but its always preferable to whisk odors outside

You could do a downdraft behind the cooktop that vents directly outside.

They are a neat idea, but I've heard that they don't work as well as a hood. And don't you have to have extra counter space to accommodate them? Can't you do a vent up in the ceiling like in a bathroom? then it wouldn't show at all! Just a thought :/

A downdraft takes 3" and I think they work fine. I just like the dramatic effect of the hood in front of the window.

If you don't have extra room in the kitchen, you could box out the window down to the floor and pick up the 3" that way.

@ disummers - you're absolutely right, downdrafts are not effective at all - overhead range hoods are much better for ventilation. Besides that, you need extra space inside the counter to hold the downdraft mechanism, there is increased risk of failure due to much more complicated design, and typically more complex duct routing (your builder will NOT love you if you make him tear up half the counter, the floor, the wall, etc.).

To ventilate a cooktop placed in front of a window, the best choice is a slim island-mount hood, such as the one Ellen Grasso chose.

There is a huge variety of island range hoods available, with different designs, sizes, and materials. Several examples are attached. Please feel free to visit our website - http://www.FuturoFuturo.com - for complete product information, multiple photos, pricing, and online purchasing options.

I have installed a FuturoFuturo vent in a house and it was very nice and sleek. That being said, I have a downdraft in my own house and have no problems.

I would really consider the amount of times the windows would need to be cleaned .....

They don't need to be cleaned any more than anything else in the kitchen.

Ellen you 16 home views is good..

Ellen Grasso & Sons, LLC: which downdraft venting system do you have? Internal or external blower? How high are your cielings? Thank you :)

10.5' ceilings...no downdraft!. ... External blower motor....

Don't you have depth issues by doing an island hood in this application? Most countertops are the same depth as the hood...

Not at all! The countertop is actually 27" deep and the vent hood might be 22" deep, but it's 6' off the floor. It's really not a problem.

hello ... wondering what your experience has been with this layout. I am planning the same with the understanding that it is not the most widely used layout. any words of wisdom would be most appreciated. thanks in advance and I hope you've enjoyed your lovely view!

We've been in our house 6 years now and I am SO happy we did this layout! Everyone comments that they love this look when they come look at our house. I cook at least twice a day on the stove top also. Occasionally, something might splatter the windows, but truthfully it is rare. I love being able to look out the window as I am cooking instead of staring at a wall.

thank you so much for your helpful reply!