What kind of plaster did you decide to use?

https://plankandpillow.com/how-to-build-a-plaster-range-hood/

This is the zephyr 36" insert with framing around and drywall, painted in latex semi-gloss. I built this kitchen 2 years ago and the surround looks perfect. My contractor just kind of figured out how to frame it. However, I am working on new construction for a client, and their contractor is not comfortable with it. I am considering the painted stainless idea. It would help the unit not stick out so much.

Kitchen/Dining/Den remodel · More Info

So hood insert, drywall, then what product goes in between drywall and latex semi-gloss?

Is the finished surface smooth or uneven in texture? If plaster was used in the middle layer, was it burnished? I really love the look of the white hoods I've seen on Houzz, but I haven't seen one up close to really know what the texture feels like & if it would be hard to keep clean. I love your range hood by the way_simply classic & beautiful.

@Scarlett Fiona Reed, how has your hood stood up? Can you wipe it down if there's grease etc on it? We're currently remodeling our kitchen, and the design/build firm is recommending drywall with a Portola finish. @Danielle, what did you end up doing?

@stiley did you end up doing a plaster hood?

@Jennie Utsinger the project hit a hiccup so we haven't started construction yet. But plaster was never in the plan; the Portolla paint with a protective and wipeable topcoat is what we're thinking. I'm curious to follow this thread and hear real-life outcomes!

@stiley It's great! I've installed it in 2 other kitchens, also doing fine. you can wipe down the paint as it's semi-gloss.

@cadams90 the drywall was treated like a wall, so drywall putty (level 5), primer and paint. Works great!

@GN Builders L.L.C Where can you get the "factory painted in white stainless steel kit which is made especially for this sort of installation"? That sounds like a great idea!

I had my minimalist hood made out of white Corian.

@palimpsest Thanks! That's a good idea, too!

@stiley were you able to finish your plaster hood?

@bheusser not yet but soon. We’re 7 weeks out from completion; cabinets go in next week!

@scarlettfionareed I’m planning to do a simple drywall surround like you mention. Curious how the base is finished. Does the insert have a lip that the drywall dies into?

@Cris Morrow Yes it does. 2 x 4 surround.

Those are white stainless steel hoods? Are they painted over to match the wall paint?

@stiley did you ever complete this project?!

@kooks kooky you and I feel the same way! We will not be moving back in on Friday as first scheduled. :) Probably a couple more weeks. Our cabinets are in but I'll have to ask about the hood surround at our meeting tomorrow. I'm glad we added an extra month to our rental lease.

Following so I don't miss updates and pictures from @stiley. :)

My builder built our hood. It will be painted white. Would love to plaster but it’s not in the budget right now. Here’s a preliminary photo.

Current status. They built a wooden frame and then dry walled over it. These last details for the remodel are reeeeeeally dragging.

Totally inadequate on muliple fronts. But way way too shallow and narrow is the big barrier to beginning to function.

I wanted to do this but my contractor scared me that if the vent goes, breaking through the drywall would be a nightmare. They pushed me in to a cabinet that they say will look like the drywall/plaster. We haven't pulled the trigger yet.. thoughts??

Hi all! I am also looking to recreate the same hood as OPs photo. Could I purchase a premade hood box and plaster over it using the method described above? I am not a DIY person and want to purchase the hood premade and then have my contractor drywall/plaster. Any suggestions?

Forget that. Not going to work. At all.

After reading about issues in cleaning a plaster hood, I requested one to be made by the cabinet guy. He said it could be shaped like this plaster one:

Hi all! My contractor dropped off this absolutely enormous vent hood cover today to cover our 40” vent-a-hood. We were thinking of tiling it so he said he needed it to be framed out with 2x4’s to give an extra 4” with a total depth of 27”…. This just doesn’t seem right to me and if it is I would definitely scrap the tile and go with a simple plaster hood cover as you guys are discussing. Can anyone advice me on how I can successfully sway my contractor to build me something that looks more like what is in these pictures?! My range is a 36” BS all gas.

The hood itself is 22” deep and 40” wide. The question is about the size of the frame. Anyone have ideas how to make the frame minimalist? Thanks!

Welded aluminum frame from a custom metal fabricator who has a TIG set up.

L W, cleaning grout on a range hood would not be fun. I’ve seen nice hoods shaped like yours that had the trim on them to look like two Shaker doors (no handles), matching surrounding Shaker cabinets. It’s a very nice minimalist look to not draw attention to the hood. Also, my daughter, who has a contemporary farmhouse style had hers covered with beadboard.

Thanks I like the idea of bead board. I could look into metal as well. If I go with the 2x4 is the “common” frame depth 4” or 2”? It is currently 4”, but I don’t see why 2” wouldn’t be sufficient?

We have finally moved in so here are some pictures of our hood. I tried to capture the texture but it may be hard to see in pictures. They had the duct in place, then built a wood frame, added the rough drywall, installed the vent, then finished the drywall and painted. We used lime wash paint from Sydney Harbor Paint Co with two coats of sealer.

At first, the man doing our interior paint did the lime wash. It was too uniform so a man on the build team who is an artistic painter took over to achieve the plaster look. You build up the lime wash and do several layers. After the sealer, it still feels and looks matte. I’m very happy with it.

The area will look better once we get our real stove. The GE Cafe delivery date keeps getting pushed back; now we’re looking at 13 months from date of order.

@stiley This is beautiful! I'm going for a similar look. What paint color are your cabinets? Is that Taj Mahal quartzite for the countertop and backsplash?

@B H thank you! The cabinets are FB Skimming Stone. Sometimes it looks gray, sometimes taupe, sometimes off white. I like it. The countertops are honed Taj Mahal quartzite. We put reeded glass in two upper cabinets.

Yes, I'm going for a very similar cabinet paint color (and also skinny shaker!) and wondered if it would look too blah with Taj Mahal but yours looks beautiful!

@B H when the floors were still covered I panicked a bit because it was much lighter than I thought it would be--I was thinking darker taupe--but the wood island and black floor balance it out. (And that's not my permanent stove; backordered.) I hope you'll post your kitchen!

It’s gorgeous! I did some stalking of your posts to see if I could find other pics and figured out you’re in Austin too! We’re mid-reno in Great Hills. Waiting for cabinets to get installed next week and then I have to make a cabinet color and countertop decision which I’ve been delaying as much as possible 😬. We also have new windows installed and I want to see how much natural light with the cabinets. My other option is green cabinets for some contrast since everything is pretty neutral/light.

Kitchen plans

@stiley did you buy the farrow and ball paint or have it color matched somewhere? I’m thinking I may get a swatch from Samplize.

@B H it's color matched to Benjamin Moore. I used several FB colors--I like that their colors are already curated. I know that FB paint is special, but I'm happy with the color match. BM has all the FB formulas in their system so you just have to tell them what color you want. I hope the reno is going well, it's not for the faint of heart right now!

@verbo are you talking about the vent hood? What are capture space and projection? What recommendations do you have?

I'm not a pro, but I struggled with the hood vent choice and tried to become informed on the subject. Yale Appliance has lots of great YouTube videos on kitchen ventilation. A recent one is "How to Light and Vent Your Kitchen". After watching many of them in the past, I planned for a 42" hood to go over a 36" cooktop. It will project out 22" and be 31 1/2" high. (The recommended height for my Zephyr is 30" - 36" high.) . You want to cover the cooktop as much as possible, extending past the sides; and you want the hood to be low enough to capture well without hitting your head (and without obstructions like a shelf that would block the airflow). I picked 31 1/2" high because that works great for one of my daughters over her gas range. Also, the hood needs to be a material that is easy to clean without damaging the surface.

Some people on this site feel very, very strongly about venting. We freaked out after reading some of the posts and did lots of research too; we decided on what some people might say is form over function. Our family just doesn't cook in a way that requires a massive vent hood. After living for many years in a place with no vent and then having a downdraft for the past 10 years, this vent is the best we've ever had. Every piece of it is cleanable. And I love my shelf and don't mind wiping it down. Of course I'm not saying I know better than the "pros," but I think it's wise to do the research and then make your own decision.

Thanks @lenorae11 - just watched that video and feel more educated on the topic.

@stiley sorry im a bit late to this thread but we have stalled in the finishing of our vent hood. my contractor used the custom plywpod box i had built and finished with drywall, but doesnt seem to know what to do on the bottom. did you have to use a metal lip or something to make it heat resistent or did they just finish the surround with drywall? i intend to use the limewash on the drywall.

thanks!!!

Here's how ours is done--drywall. It's 29" above the cooktop and doesn't get hot. We have induction. Share a picture when you're done! :)

What kind of stone is this?

It's Taj Mahal quartzite, if you're talking about the pic above. :)

Hi @stiley can I get some inputs from you too please. what is the depth and width of your hood, compared to your cooktop? How has the cleaning and maintenance held up so far? Thank you in advance!