How To Fit a Cooker Hood

Cooker hoods serve two purposes. They help remove steam, smoke and smells from your kitchen and act as a decorative feature in an often utilitarian space.

Fortunately, a hood is ideal for both and, if you buy a bespoke cooker hood from Halman Thompson, it can do both with style!

If you’re planning to add a cooker hood to your kitchen, installation is very straightforward.

Like most DIY jobs, the key is in the preparation. Getting the measurements right, preparing the area and ensuring everything is millimetre perfect can make or break the project.

The actual installation is the easy part!

Installing a cooker hood

We think there’s nothing better than adding a handcrafted cooker hood to a kitchen.

It doesn’t matter what style, what finish or where it’s being installed, it’s a statement piece that can transform a space.

Go for copper, aged copper, brass, aged brass or something else. Whatever you choose, it can look amazing.

So, without further delay, this is how you install a cooker hood.

Measuring for the hood

The most important aspect of fitting a cooker hood is measuring up. Not only do you have to measure the space where it will be installed, but you also have to measure the insert fan.

An insert fan is typically a self-contained unit that does the actual extracting. It will have a fan or pair of fans and a filter.

If you’re replacing an existing cooker hood with a new one, measure the space where the hood will go.

Take your time, double-check your measurements and make sure you’re happy before submitting them.

You will need the length, width and depth as well as the total height of the unit.

While measuring, make sure the insert fan will be able to be connected and the fan will be able to extract or circulate depending on what type of fan you have.

If you have a gas hob, you’ll need an extractor. Circulation fans are for electric hobs or Agas only.

You’ll need a minimum of 550mm clearance over an electric stove and 650mm clearance over a gas stove. There’s also a maximum height of 800mm clearance over all stoves.

Once you have completed the measurements you can order your cooker hood with the correct dimensions and cut outs for circulation or extractor fans.

Preparing the space

If you’re replacing a hood, make sure the wall or ceiling, if it’s a hanging hood, is ready for it.

Prepare all surfaces, make sure all areas are flat and ready to go. Fill, sand, paint and prepare as required so you can install the hood as soon as it arrives.

Don’t mark out just yet though.

Preparing the installation

Once your hood arrives, you can begin the installation.

Offer the hood up where it will be installed and mark out all drill holes. If this is a new cooker hood, you’ll ideally want mounting points to be in brick or wall studs.

For ceiling-mounted hoods, you’ll ideally want to fix it to ceiling joists.

Mark out the mounting points as accurately as you can and drill the holes.

Using appropriately sized screws and fixings, secure the cooker hood into place. Double check everything is tight and properly secure.

Install your insert fan into the hood and secure it into place. Connect the fan to the mains and to the extraction outlet if you’re using one.

Testing the installation

Now the cooker hood is secured against the wall or ceiling and connected, it’s time to test it.

Power on the filter and watch and listen. If it’s all good, turn on the fan and test any lights.

Listen for rattles or vibrations and make sure the lights all work and that you’re completely happy with everything.

Then sit back and admire your efforts as your hard work is done!

Buying your Cooker Hood from Halman Thompson

All our metal cooker hoods are created by hand, to order. Each begins with a metal sheet with a maximum size of 1000mm x 2000mm.

We then use a laser to precision cut the shape of your hood to your exact dimensions. The hood is then formed into shape and finished to an exceptional standard..

All cooker hoods are finished in a tough transparent lacquer to protect it from daily use and to keep it looking amazing for longer. Natural Brass and Copper can be optionally lacquered.

Halman Thompson creates your cooker hood from your dimensions, we’ll need the length, width and depth as well as the total height of the unit, as well as the internal dimensions to ensure the insert fan fits perfectly.

If you think a bespoke cooker hood would add a new level of luxury to your kitchen, contact Halman Thompson today for a free quotation!