1990s hood on an old duct
Many 1990s kitchens still have the original hood on a small duct. We often replace both, so the new hood isn't held back by the old pipe.
Serving Crystal Lake & nearby Lake Zurich, Elgin
Range Hood Installation in Crystal Lake, IL
We install under-cabinet, wall chimney, island and insert range hoods in Crystal Lake, ducted outside wherever the house allows.
- Serving Crystal Lake ZIP 60014, 60012, 60098
- Installed level, sealed and tested before we leave
- Clear price for the install before the visit
Range hood installs we handle in Crystal Lake
Most kitchen ventilation complaints come from the install, not the hood: a duct that is too small, a long run full of elbows, or a fan that blows grease into the cabinet above. Our Crystal Lake installers set the hood, the duct and the exterior cap as one system.
Old hood that only recirculates
If your current hood has no duct and just pushes air back toward you, the fix is usually a ducted replacement with a proper exterior cap.
No hood over the range at all
Kitchens without a hood often have greasy upper cabinets and lingering smells. A new ducted hood, sized for the cooktop, takes care of both.
Hood too narrow for the cooktop
A hood narrower than the burners lets smoke roll past its edges. We usually match the cooktop width at a minimum, and go wider over gas or pro-style ranges.
Swapping an over-the-range microwave for a hood
Microwave vents capture far less than a real hood. We remove the microwave, check the duct and install a hood that fits the space.
Long duct run with many elbows
Every elbow and every foot of duct cuts airflow. We plan the most direct route to the outside and use as few turns as the framing allows.
Gas range that needs stronger ventilation
Cooking on gas puts more into the kitchen air than electric or induction does. A ducted hood with enough capture area and airflow is the right match.
Duct too small for the new hood
The maker's instructions list the duct size the hood needs. If the existing duct is undersized, we enlarge the run rather than reduce at the hood.
Included with the install
- Site check and sizingCooktop width, fuel type and duct path are checked before a model is chosen.
- Permit and approvalsWe find out whether the village needs a mechanical permit for a new duct penetration and pull it when it does.
- Removing the old hoodPower off, old hood disconnected and taken down, the old duct inspected or removed.
- Blocking and mountingMounting points set at the height in the maker's instructions.
- Wall cap or roof jackThe duct ends outside under a damper that closes when the fan is off.
- Recirculating setupWhere ducting outside isn't possible, a recirculating kit with charcoal filters is installed.
- Test and cleanupWe run the hood, confirm the damper opens and closes, and haul away the old unit.
Options to choose from
Ducted vs recirculatingVenting outdoors removes heat and moisture; ductless filtering is the fallback when no duct path exists.
Internal and remote blowersA remote blower moves the motor away from the cooktop for a quieter hood.
Under-cabinet hoodsThe most common style, tucked under the upper cabinet above the range.
Island hoodsCeiling-hung hoods for cooktops in an island, usually wider than the cooking surface.
Wall chimney hoodsA canopy on the wall with a chimney cover hiding the duct up to the ceiling.
Before and after: kitchens near Crystal Lake
Before
Installed
DetailA Crystal Lake 1990s two-story colonial: before and after
This one is a 1990s two-story colonial near Wedgewood. Before: white appliances and white thermofoil cabinets peeling at the edges, oak trim. The main complaint was cooking smells that stayed in the house for hours. The result: a new stainless chimney range hood ducted to the outside. On site this meant removing the old hood, recirculating setup, plus test and cleanup.
Before
AfterRange Hood Installation in a 1990s two-story colonial, Lake Zurich
This one is a 1990s two-story colonial in Lake Zurich. The kitchen as it was: black appliances and golden-oak cabinets with oak soffits above. The main complaint was cooking smells that stayed in the house for hours. Finished kitchen: a new stainless chimney range hood ducted to the outside. Work included permit and approvals, wall cap or roof jack, plus test and cleanup.
Range Hood Installation in Lake Zurich →
Before
AfterCrystal Lake kitchen, two-story colonial from the 1990s: kitchen remodeling
Cabinets in warm taupe with satin brass pulls, warm walnut butcher block counters, a gray beveled subway tile backsplash, light beige 18x18 porcelain tile flooring and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips.
Kitchen Remodeling in Crystal Lake →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1990s two-story colonial in Crystal Lake
Finished: the same doors sprayed in creamy white uppers and navy lowers, new matte black pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Crystal Lake →How the install goes
- Photos and modelSend photos of the range wall, the old hood and the cabinet above, plus the model you like.
- Duct route and sizingOn site we size the hood, pick the duct route and check permits and makeup air.
- Written estimateAn itemized estimate for the hood install, duct, exterior cap, wiring and any permit.
- Install and testHood mounted, ducted and wired, then every speed tested and the damper checked.
Range Hood Installation questions from Crystal Lake homeowners
Who installs a range hood: a plumber, an electrician or a contractor?
It's mostly a ventilation and carpentry job with an electrical connection. We do the mounting and ducting and bring in an electrician when new wiring is needed.
Can I install a range hood myself?
A simple swap on the same duct can be DIY. When the job involves a new duct route, a roof jack or a permit, it's worth hiring it out.
Ducted or ductless: which should I choose?
Venting outside works better. Ductless is the fallback for condos and spots where no duct can run.
How much does range hood installation cost?
Duct length, wall or roof penetration, electrical work and the hood style drive the price. We put it in writing after we see the kitchen.
Do I need an electrician to install a range hood?
Only if new wiring is needed. Connecting to an existing hood supply is part of our install.
Do I need historic review for range hood installation in Crystal Lake?
Crystal Lake has locally reviewed areas, including e.g., Colonel Palmer House and Dole Mansion). Exterior changes there can need review; interior-only work usually does not. We check before anything changes on the outside.
Who inspects kitchen hoods and fire safety in Crystal Lake?
Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Fire Prevention Bureau, (815) 356-3644. We schedule the inspection and have the paperwork ready.
What is the Crystal Lake building department phone number?
Permits go through City of Crystal Lake Community Development - Building Division (ezAPP online permits), phone (815) 356-3605. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Do I need a permit for range hood installation in Crystal Lake?
It depends on the scope. Crystal Lake's rule in short: Kitchen alteration handout (Nov 2019) requires a contractor list and two sets of plans showing floor plans, electrical layout, structure and plumbing changes; inspections for rough electrical, plumbing, framing, insulation and final. We handle the permit when one is needed with City of Crystal Lake Community Development - Building Division.
Do you work in my part of Crystal Lake?
Yes. Our crews work across Crystal Lake, including Downtown, Coventry, Four Colonies, The Villages — ZIP 60014, 60012, 60098 — and nearby Lake Zurich, Elgin, Hoffman Estates.
Working in Crystal Lake
- A lot of Crystal Lake kitchens date from the 1990s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Crystal Lake homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- Live in a historic district? Interior kitchen work is usually not reviewed. We check before anything touches the exterior.
DowntownCoventryFour ColoniesThe VillagesWedgewoodBurtons Bridge
ZIP 60014ZIP 60012ZIP 60098
Range Hood Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Crystal Lake
Range Hood RepairFans, motors, switches, lights and rattles on kitchen range hoods.
Oven, Range & Cooktop InstallationGas and electric ranges, wall ovens and cooktops, safely connected.
Kitchen Electrical WorkNew circuits and outlets for kitchen appliances.
Kitchen RemodelingFull kitchen remodels, from layout to last cabinet pull.
Kitchen Cabinet PaintingFactory-smooth painted cabinets without replacing them.