Tile. What was his reasoning? This is likely a scheduling for convenience and perceived cost savings over quality issue, imo. Ask the tile installer what he prefers .

Here's an earlier discussion

I've had two chimney hoods with tile. In both cases, the tile was installed after the hood was installed. Can't speak to which method is correct, but will say that we've had no issues with how ours was done.

We installed ours like lazy_gardens described.

Depends if the tile backsplash goes all the way to the ceiling or if it ends at the bottom of the range hood. That decision depends on the style of the range hood, too. So, either way is correct.

I would defer to the tile installer. He knows his product and the complexity involved. Chances are they aren't usually consulted and typically have to work around what they find when they arrive.

We are tiling first and to the ceiling as you are and will do just as lazygardens said and mark the points, possibly outline the whole thing just for good measure. Some hoods would be easier to tile around than others. If you have a wood hood with a decorative shape, tiling after becomes that much more complicated for your tile setter.

We did the same as lazy gardens. We mounted the hood, removed it, and left the anchors in the wall. Tile was installed up to the ceiling, then we remounted the hood. You can do it either way but I think it makes a cleaner, finished appearance by tiling the entire space and not around the hood.

What happens if you ever have to replace the hood? What if that model/exact shape is discontinued?

To answer Dan1888- his reasoning was that he didn't want drill through ceramic subway tile to put anchor/mounting bracket. That the range hood would not sit flush to wall. The range hood is a Serious SUE22 SS chimney style range hood. Wall mounted and vents through ceiling. Tile is ceramic subway all the way to top of crown on cabs. I will attach photo on next post below.

Photos to help. Thank you to everyone who has responded. Please see my response to Dan1888 for contractor's reasoning. I have seen many photos where tile went in first and similar vent hood looked just fine and no gaps.

There was a misspell range hood is Sirius SUE22. 375 cfm. Very quiet.

To DCWARD89 - My points exactly! Not to mention the extra labor on the tile installer. If there is a mechanical reason for doing it his way, I get it, but from what others are saying, it can be done either way and not affect the functioning of the vent. At the very end, it is my decision and I want to make it an informed one.

We have the same style (though different make/model) hood. GC tiled first then installed the hood. I can't for the life of me think of why you would want to do it the other way around. It's a very easy tile job that way and there are no issues with the hood not being flush with the wall.

As a compromise that meets the drill objection install the anchors and screw a bolt in each. That's a small amount more difficult for the tiler.

Cutting the tile angles to fit around that hood would be a royal PITA, as would making sure the lines line up exactly on both sides of the hood, continuing from below the hood.

Even stronger case for tiling the wall first.

Right? That has been my strongest objection to the GC. Even the HVAC guy wanted to mount the vent after the tile went in...the contractor had a private conversation with him and he installed it before. The backstory on this re-model: The kitchen re-model is a result of a small water leak that caused $48,000 of damage and black mold. We have had to go through a restoration company because of the insurance claim. The GC works for the restoration company and is probably not used to working with a homeowner with a design background or an opinion. This homeowner has both. Aesthetically, I think the tile needs to go up first. I am asking for any experts to give me a reason why it should go up after. Your feedback is very much appreciated.

DAN1888 - I was thinking of something along those lines. I appreciate this and will suggest as an option to the GC.

DAN1888 - the link that you provided was helpful.

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback, I will be giving thoughtful consideration to every idea and suggestion. Project will be revealed once it is completed. Happy Holidays!!!!

Can you let me know what you ended up doing? My GC installed the hood fan and I am also doing subway tile to the ceiling. Now there has to be dozens of cuts around the hood fan and I'm worried about the grout crumbling where it meets it also.

if the range hood is a custom metal hood that has a weight of 100 lbs....is there concern of cracking ceramic tile when tightening the hood mounts?

We are doing glass tile and having read the instructions you should never install anything on top of it-as it causes shadows. So what is the opinion for glass tile up to the ceiling? Range hood 1st -then tile or the other way around?

I'm getting ready to install the backsplash tile and it will be going up first then the rangehood and chimney. My reasoning, my sister remodeled and her GC installed her hood and then tile was applied up to the ceiling in a herringbone pattern, 2 months later the hood malfunctioned and research showed a defect in the electronics. The new hood that was selected didn't match the tile layout outline and the tile had to be taken down to just above the range, her nightmare continued when she learned the marble tile had been discontinued.

I figure its easier to chip out the tiles containing the anchor mounting hardware and replace them, than a whole wall of marble tile. Having done many kitchen tile jobs if the wall is flat, the tile will be flat.

Don’t know if this post is too old to get a response. My contractor is saying he can’t tile around the hood because he can’t reach to grout with the grounding to tool. I’m not sure there is nothing he can do about it?! I’m sure there’s a way?