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buckscountyclassic

Vent hood placement advice

We are installing a 55" range and venting. Contractors have had different recommendations for where to vent. Would appreciate any advice.


Option 1: straight out, no elbows. Is it okay that it's under overhang? See image of soffit which is 82"+ inches out. We don't hang out right here so food smells aren't really any issue.


Option 2: Requires elbow, may have to go around joist beam. Ceilings are only 8' so space is tight. Would go through mudroom we rarely use so would need to box it out


Option 3: Straight up through roof. 1 contractor recommended this, another said if possible they prefer to avoid tampering with roof due to leak potential.


Thanks in advance for any insights from those much more experienced than me.



Comments (34)

  • last year


    In addition, Vent-a-Hood was spec'd by the stove manufacturer. Any callouts here regarding noise or issues you foresee? Thank you!

  • last year

    Mine is vented through the roof. No leaks. Like Hallett said, if it's installed properly it won't leak.

    buckscountyclassic thanked porkchop_z5b_MI
  • PRO
    last year
    last modified: last year

    Straight up, always. The MUA should go into your utility room, where the heater can be most easily located.

    buckscountyclassic thanked Monique
  • last year

    Follow code for exhaust distances from openings into the building. Verify your local code - for instance Bucks County PA follows PA-UCC which is 2018 IRC. Section M1504.3 dictates a 3' clearance for cooking exhaust to windows and other building openings. If that is an intake next to the large window then there is a 10' (unless 3' above) clearance. Again, verify and push your contractor to install per code.

    buckscountyclassic thanked 3onthetree
  • last year

    @3onthetree Thanks for that info. If we vented straight out, it's about 3' from the window, but there's a door perpendicular to it (where there's a lantern in the photo. So maybe it can't vent there according to code, based on this.

  • last year

    @HALLETT & Co. @Monique We have not yet planned for MUA. We currently have a downdraft vent that we are replacing with this new hood, and do not have a MUA unit. It's an old house. The contractor did not specify the MUA unit in our case.


    I'm a homeowner so appreciate the guidance by professionals and those more experienced than me, so thank you for any insights.

  • PRO
    last year
    last modified: last year

    OMG of course you will need MUA with that monster hood and why on earth a 55" range , even resturants do not have that size . Yes staright up and 10" for sure . How many CFM in the hood just curious IMO you need min 1200CFM and that is pretty minimal I ahve a vent-a-hood 1200CFM for my 36" all gas range and still needed MUA Our roof never had an issue with leaking but was done properly too.

  • last year

    Is a MUA required or recommended? I don’t think we have one in our 8 year old home 😬

  • last year

    @WestCoast Hopeful where I live any vent hood over 400cfm requires makeup air by code.

  • last year

    My vent hood goes straight up through the roof. 48 inch gas range. 1200 cfm vent hood.

    buckscountyclassic thanked Clyde Kalvin
  • last year

    Interesting. I wonder if the fan we have on the main floor that stays on permanently meets that. Our house passed al required hurdles so I find this interesting. I just looked it up and our hood fan is 600cfm

    buckscountyclassic thanked WestCoast Hopeful
  • PRO
    last year
    last modified: last year

    Curious the layout of this kitchen with the 48" range, and 55 " hood?

    Where's that, should you care to share?

    As to make up air? with no compromise












    buckscountyclassic thanked JAN MOYER
  • PRO
    last year



    buckscountyclassic thanked KT Builders
  • last year

    Is it odd that the few contractors/HVAC people so far consulted on this project have not said MUA is necessary and also say they will do everything to code?

  • PRO
    last year
    last modified: last year

    Yes, it's alarming. MUA has been a requirement for 25 years now. But this is something that your Kitchen Designer should also be aware of and raise the concern. Oversized ranges are a big waste of funds in most houses. They require that oversized ventilation, and MUA. That ends up costing as much as the range in a lot of cases. And then they just look really silly and sadly ostentatiously lost if the rest of the kitchen isn't done to the same high end level. And the rest of the home. It's like a 2 carat diamond on the hand of someone living in a trailer. You just know it's either a zirconia, (Z-Line) or cost more than the more sensible downpayment on a house.

    buckscountyclassic thanked Minardi
  • last year

    @JAN MOYER Are you addressing this to me? If so here is my kitchen. I am sure you have seen it posted on here before. No it is not a 55 in hood. Yes we have makeup air.





  • PRO
    last year

    No, posting the op! Beautiful kitchen!!!

  • last year

    @JAN MOYER Our range is actually 55" and the hood will be wider (with a Vent-a-Hood insert).

  • PRO
    last year

    ^^^

    Is this a restaurant : ) ?

    I am not kidding.......show this layout and you 100% need to account for serious make up air!

    buckscountyclassic thanked JAN MOYER
  • last year

    What range is this? 55 inches is a weird size. If you want a larger range go with 48 inches. There are more choices at 48.

  • last year

    @Clyde Kalvin @JAN MOYER It's technically 55 5/16”. It's a Lacanche range. I understand this is very extravagant but we have our reasons for purchasing this...however that's a topic for a whole different post! (-;


  • PRO
    last year

    You need to let that range go. Trying to make all the everything you do be it's equal, but not really being able to afford it's level of surroundings, is driving a whole lot of bad decisions based on how cheap things are, rather than what works and is functional. This is how you get in a hole. When you get in a hole, stop digging.

  • last year

    @Minardi I hear you -- and love/agree with your reference of the 2 carat diamond on the hand of someone living in a trailer (or the Range Rover in their driveway). In our case, we are designing the kitchen at the level where the Lacanche fits in, and it makes sense within our overall house.


    My question was more around the differing opinions by kitchen designers/contractors/HVAC people on where best to vent. MUA is also a factor as well.


    In any case, the range is on a ship headed from France right now, so it's happening!

  • last year

    I love that you are adding something unique and extravagant that makes you happy. I really hope you will show the finished kitchen when done

    buckscountyclassic thanked WestCoast Hopeful
  • last year

    Thanks so much @WestCoast Hopeful! At 50 years old, with a lifetime of working hard, I am finally creating the kitchen of my dreams -- and doing as much research as possible to avoid mistakes!

  • PRO
    last year
    last modified: last year

    ^^^


    Really Good way to avoid mistakes ? Post the layout : )

    2 d flat on paper!!! What could happen? Maybe we see something you don't ? Wth, it's free and there is a thousand years of experience here from, gen pop and pros combined.

  • last year

    @JAN MOYER Thanks -- definitely appreciate any input. We do not have elevations yet, and these aren't totally final but they give the gist of the layout. Long run with lower cabinets only on perimeter and surround. Wall of ceiling-height pantries, appliance storage and fridge/freezer. All integrated appliances. Once I have elevations and more details I'll share those!


  • last year

    It looks pretty blurry when uploaded!

  • last year

    Following up on this thread. Our contractor is strongly recommending venting straight out (the range is directly behind the external wall) versus going up through the roof.


    I asked about the 3' distance from an opening (a door to a mudroom, which we do not use), and they said that code is more specific to chimney or furnace venting.


    They recommend the shortest distance from the range hood to the wall, which is straight out.

    They also recommend not tampering with the roof if possible.


    Do you have counter advice I can provide?

    There are unknowns if we go up through the roof, around joists and an existing ceiling beam that will intersect the range hood -- we do not know if it load bearing and the vent may need to elbow around to get to the roof.


    If we go straight out, will the exterior get greasy over time?


    Thank you!

  • last year

    I cited the actual code above. It is not just for chimneys or furnaces, it is for all air exhausts.

    I also said to push your contractor to follow it, as I predicted they wouldn't know about it nor want to be troubled by it.

  • last year

    @3onthetree Thank you again! I wanted to confirm it's for all air exhausts -- you were correct they dismissed it, but I will push further. Really appreciate your guidance. Thank you.

  • last year

    Can someone explain why exhausting through the roof, farther away, is better than directly outside, closer?

  • last year

    @WestCoast Hopeful - You articulated my question perfectly. Would love to understand more. Even if my adjacent openings weren't an issue, why is going through roof/farther better than directly outside, closer? Very curious to hear what others more knowledgable than me say!