Thanks, sayde! That helps a lot. Not sure yet how we're venting because it depends on how the joists run. Should know later today as they're demoing the kitchen now!

I'll xpost in the Appliances forum, but things tend to get a little more heated there. ;-)

Hi Anna, long time! First, I'd call Lacanche and see what's appropriate for your range. They may have suggestions. Usually the hood matches the length of the range. The depth depends on the hood usually. For a high output gas range, such as yours, 1200 btu is likely recommended. The Lancanche folks will know for sure.

Ventahood is a t&t. You might remember femmelady's kitchen -- she had hers mounted very high because the husband was quite tall. She had a big range on there plus a grill and a wokstove and it handled everything. I'll put a link at the bottom.

I'm often perplexed by range hood heights because the range companies have one set of guidelines and a hood folks often have another (it varies with brand).

Then there's the ergonomics which often conflict -- I'm 5'7" and often cook in clogs so that takes me to 5'9". I wasn't mounting the hood 30 inches above the cooktop because I'd bump my head. We went a few inches higher with no issues. However, the "works" in the hood show a bit more.

I wouldn't go by some standard. I'd go by what will work best for your range and yourself.

Here is a link that might be useful: High Hood

Thanks rococogurl! It HAS been a long time...I was just thinking the other day that I've been coming to this forum off and on for almost 10 years now! This dream kitchen is a long time in the making and has moved from one house to another.

I appreciate your feedback and the link to femmelady's gorgeous kitchen; I remember that cabinet set against the window because it was so beautiful and unusual.

Really I don't mind the works showing more. I'll be so happy to have ventilation that I should have it nickelplated and make it a feature. In the meantime I'll follow your advice and call Lacanche...I need to order an island-style spacer anyway.

Just remembered another one with the "woiks" showing actually built into a fairly beefy soffit. It's a Belgian kitchen and one I love.

With Lacanche (and some other high powered ranges) I'd also ask about drywall on the surround simply due to the heat it throws. Do you remember momtofour? She has a Sully+ and built a big niche with two VAHs. She's still around occasionally and you might check to see how she likes her set up.

Forgot to add that some like to go 6 inches wider with the hood vs the range for capture.

Man, I love those Belgian kitchens. I pore over the Belgian Pearls blog all the time! Hadn't seen that one, though. Hmmm. Part of my design issue is that my ceilings are on the low side so I can't go too beefy or it will look truncated and silly. In my next life I'll have soaring ceilings!

Of course I remember Deb and her amazing kitchen. I probably still have her email address. Good thought on the drywall...what would my options be for heatproofing it? It does get fairly hot but maybe if it's wide enough it won't be an issue.

I should post my plans to see what you think; I'll try to do it after the holiday. Would love to see if you have any clever ideas for me. :-)

Any type of fireproof material works in the surround -- tile, metal, glass etc. Or you could look into using some type of cement board in that area but that's not a smooth surface. Not a big deal.

Also, if I was adding a hood right now I'd look at this brand just for comparison with the VAH. It's a baffle system so might be easier to clean than the VAH cage and it's intended for powerful ranges.

Happy holidays.

Here is a link that might be useful: Modernaire

Depth -- more is more, but standard guidance is deep enough to cover the burners, if not a bit more. We went with a standard 24" depth, which is enough to extend a bit past the burners on our range, although it comes short of the full depth of the range.

As for height . . . my wife is 6' tall, taller than I am, and has some back trouble and doesn't love bending -- she really, really didn't want to worry about her forehead and for that reason we went to 34" above the range. Works for her -- no worries. It's within the spec for our particular range (BlueStar RNB -- the mfg says not less than 30" and not more than 36"). Baffles, 1100 cfm. Thus far capture and clearance seem to be excellent.

We just ordered a Modern-Aire hood and the rep very clearly pointed out that the performance warranty is voided if the installation height is above 34". That particular company only stands behind the performance of their hood if its between 30"-34". Might be an idea to check that out with makers of whatever brand you choose.

I would NOT go out more than 24" if anyone (your son) is 6' tall! I'm 5'9, my mom's 5'7" and everyone else is way over 6' - so I suggest getting a wider hood and not one deeper than 24". Even at 36" above the range that is only 6' off the floor.

Most recommendations:
Width...6" wider than the cooking surface (so for 40", 46" would be the recommended width). This allows 3" on either side to increase the chances of the hood "capturing" the grease/smoke/steam/odors that spread out as they rise.
Depth...At least 24" deep. If your range sticks out much past 25.5" from the wall, you might consider the 27" depth.
CFMs...it depends on (1) what/how you cook, (2) the size of your hood relative to the cooking surface, (3) how high you mount it, and (4) the number of turns & length of duct run you have.

Higher CFMs......If you undersize your hood (o turn...get higher cfms (1200 is probably fine for the vast majority of people)

Recommended CFMs......If you size the hood appropriately, don't do a lot of frying, mount it according to specs (usually no more than 30" off the cooking surface), have a short duct run, and no more than one 90o turn...you'll be OK with the recommended. I'd say 600 to 800.

Our hood is 42" wide over a 36" cooktop. It's also 24" deep. It's mounted 30" off the cooking surface.

We're a relatively tall family...ranging from 5'10" (me) to 6'6" and still growing (my DS). Only once has my DH hit his head on the hood....and that was when he stuck his head up into the hood to see it working. When he took his head out, he didn't duck low enough and hit the back of his head on the hood! None of the rest of us has hit our heads...at least as far as I know. [I did ask once and both my DS & DD denied ever hitting their heads. My DH has not hit his head using the hood properly :-)]

I think what happens is that your body and mind are "aware" of the hood being there (subconsciously or consciously) so you don't hit it.

Thanks everyone! That helps a lot. I will look at the ModernAire as well. My GC is starting to pressure me to make decisions....yikes.

We have a ModerAire and love it. It's 48" above the cooktop because when the installed it DH (who is 6'3") hit his forehead and said "if you want me to cook it has to be higher" so up it went and the only thing that made sense was to put it all the way up. (our stove is bumped out 2 inches just because he's so tall, but it didn't help a bit).

The hood captures very well and when I had an issue w/ a light bulb they didn't ask a thing about the installation. They were great.

Thanks momqs! I just emailed ModernAire. Love their hoods.

Anyone have an opinion on how a brushed stainless hood would look over a black Lacanche?

Check the range specifications. Our inspector measured (must be a minimum 36" above range grates). My contractor had to move another customers hood higher since it didn't meet the range spec (even though the hood spec said lower). I have a 48" blue star range with grill and have a Prestige 1600 cfm vent hood 54" x 27" at 36" above the range. Works great.

Thanks bostonpam! I had better check with the town too, I guess.