Help! I'm near ordering everything (days), found a major issue
So, we're re-doing our kitchen. We recently had some fortunate events and when we bought our house last year the kitchen was one thing that we really didn't care for. Since we have to rip out the kitchen to replace the floor (insurance.. washing machine.. doh!), we decided to do the kitchen at the same time.
We're running a gas line (finally will have gas!), as well as adding outlets for wall (in cabinet) ovens, etc. We're getting a "pro style" range and of course we're getting a range hood. We've got most everything figured out (still trying to decide between dacor and DCS range), but the last thing we have left (and the most difficult it seems) is the range hood.
We've gone back and forth between a chimney, under cabinet, and built in (cabinet covered) style, and I think we've decided on an under cabinet with a 12 inch collar above it (like this). Now for the fun part....
The issue we've arrived at is the kitchen is not "normal. The range actually sits against an interior 2x4 wall (basically it's in the middle of the house). We have vaulted ceilings (14-15 ft where range is), and there's a ~16" soffit around the kitchen just above the cabinets. This house does not have the ducting for the vent, and we have to add it, and planned to stick a square duct between the 2x4s and run it straight to the roof. I'm now finding out that square duct is a big "no no" when it comes to venting these things (planned on doing a 600 cfm and adding a make-up air vent). I'm attaching a picture for so you can see what I'm talking about.
A few things to note: (range is directly below the microwave)
The soffit is solid (no recess), and the 2x4s inside it run perpendicular to the wall.
The wall behind the range is 2x4 and can't be extended without extensive work.
There is attic access on the upper wall to the left. So, running an exposed duct into the wall there is an option, but our house isn't "modern", and I feel like exposed ducting would be tacky.
The thought to remove the soffit all together and just run a stainless chimney up has occurred to me, but as the soffit is basically integrated into parts of the kitchen and spans the circumference, and that would get very expensive very quickly.
Options I'm considering: Build a false wall in above the soffit to the ceiling (concerned about looking clunky as it wouldn't be symmetrical), build a chimney style wall, build a box at the back of the soffit against the wall and take it into the attic space, run a stainless chimney above the soffit. Which would be the least noticeable? If you have a better option, please share.
I'm clueless and looking for options. I would really prefer to not have a recirculating range hood. So I'm looking for people with a niche for design to chime in and give me ideas. TIA!
Eric
Comments (10)
Eric
9 years ago
oldbat2be
9 years agoI suggest spending some time looking at photos of what others have done. In the Houzz search bar, search for: +Soffit+Exposed Vent, then filter your selection on the left by selecting Kitchen for the room.
Is the only purpose of the soffit to provide lighting? I'd remove it, if it were my choice and we were able to afford it. Are you willing to post more pictures of the kitchen?!
Hiding venting - in these, the wall/soffit is taken to the ceiling.
Halpert at the Vineyard · More Info
Atherton Family Kitchen · More Info
If you can remove part of the soffit, tiling to the ceiling is an option:
Five inch Oak Floors · More Info
Shore Way · More Info
San Carlos Craftsman 2nd Story Addition · More Info
That said, these are only cosmetic suggestions. Far more important to focus on the functionality and layout of the kitchen:) Good luck!Related Discussions
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9 years ago
kalapointer
9 years agoWe have a similar layout with a soffit and ceiling like yours. This is what ours looks like.
Eric
9 years ago
This is basically the layout we are going to (which is very similar to the one we have). Not drawn to scale, but it's reasonably close.
Eric
9 years ago
Here's another picture of the kitchen. The soffit goes around the entirety of it. It's more for decoration than function. Apparently someone thought it was cool. We're removing the desk and putting a wall oven cabinet and a 15" pantry, and we're removing the trapezoid island and putting in a rectangular one.
PROLaurie Brasnett
9 years agoEric
9 years ago
devonfield