Commercial Kitchen Hood Installation in Oak Park, IL

Hood and ventilation problems we solve for Oak Park kitchens

Opening a new restaurant, swapping a cook line or failing an inspection on an old hood all land on the same question: what ventilation does this kitchen need? Our crews size, permit and install Type I and Type II hoods in Oak Park, with duct, fan and makeup air sized to the equipment underneath.

Old hood with no fire suppression or an outdated system

A Type I hood over grease-producing equipment needs an approved suppression system. On older hoods without one, or with a system that no longer meets the current standard, we coordinate the upgrade with a licensed suppression contractor.

Dish area full of steam and heat

Steam and heat over a dishwasher or steam kettle call for a Type II hood rather than a grease hood. We install the right one to take the moisture out of the room.

Doors whistle and the kitchen is under heavy negative pressure

If the back door is hard to open or the front door whistles, the exhaust is pulling more air out than the building can replace. A properly sized makeup air unit corrects it.

Adding a fryer or charbroiler under the wrong hood

Sliding a fryer or broiler into a spot meant for an oven often puts it outside hood coverage or past what the fan can pull. We check the length, the airflow and the suppression coverage first.

School, church or daycare kitchen upgrade

A school or church kitchen that starts cooking real meals may need a Type I hood with suppression where a Type II used to be enough. We sort out which applies.

Duct too close to combustibles

In older buildings the grease duct often passes through a ceiling or wall without the required clearance or fire-rated protection. We reroute or enclose it to meet code.

Grease dripping from the hood or fan

Drips at the canopy edge or stains on the roof around the fan are a fire and roof problem. We check filters, joints and the fan's grease box and correct what's leaking.

Inspector flagged the hood or duct

When the fire marshal or building inspector writes up the exhaust system, we read the notice, find the cause on site and correct it so the reinspection passes.

See your problem here?Call us (708) 400-7049 Request a callback

Scope of work

Site survey and equipment reviewWe look at the cook line, the roof and the path between them, and list every appliance that goes under the hood.
System design and sizingWe size the canopy, airflow, fan and replacement air to match the appliances underneath.
Roof penetration and curbRoof opening framed, curb set and flashed to carry the exhaust fan.
Grease duct installationContinuous welded duct from hood to fan, with access panels and the required clearances or a listed enclosure.
Exhaust fan installationRoof fan set, hinged for cleaning access and fitted with a grease collection box.
Fire suppression coordinationWe coordinate with your licensed fire suppression contractor on nozzles, piping and gas shutoff interlocks.
Start-up and airflow checkFans and makeup air started, balanced and checked so the hood captures smoke at full cooking.

Equipment and options

Makeup air unitA rooftop or interior unit that brings in fresh air to replace what the hood removes.

Stainless and galvanized constructionStainless for durability and cleaning in the kitchen, with gauges and seams meeting the listing.

Upblast exhaust fanA roof-mounted fan that throws exhaust up and away from the roof, with a grease box.

Wall canopy and island hoodsWall hoods sit against a back wall over a cook line; island hoods hang over a free-standing line and need more overhang.

Type I hoodRequired over cooking that makes grease-laden vapor; it connects to a welded grease duct.

Commercial Kitchen Hood Installation before and after — Oak Park homes

Commercial Kitchen Hood Installation in a commercial kitchen — before — Oak Park kitchen, bakery kitchen: commercial kitchen hood installation

The site: a bakery kitchen near Gunderson Historic District. The main complaint was an old, greasy hood that no longer covered the cook line. Finished kitchen: a new stainless type I exhaust hood with fire suppression nozzles over the cook line. On site this meant roof penetration and curb, grease duct installation, plus exhaust fan installation.

Commercial Kitchen Hood Installation in a commercial kitchen — installed — Oak Park kitchen, bakery kitchen: commercial kitchen hood installation

The site: a bakery kitchen near Gunderson Historic District. The main complaint was an old, greasy hood that no longer covered the cook line. Finished kitchen: a new stainless type I exhaust hood with fire suppression nozzles over the cook line. On site this meant roof penetration and curb, grease duct installation, plus exhaust fan installation.

Commercial Kitchen Hood Installation project in Berwyn, before — A Berwyn bakery kitchen: before and after

The site: a bakery kitchen near Depot District. What bothered the owners most: an old, greasy hood that no longer covered the cook line. The result: a new stainless type I exhaust hood with fire suppression nozzles over the cook line. On site this meant site survey and equipment review, fire suppression coordination, plus start-up and airflow check.
Commercial Kitchen Hood Installation in Berwyn →

Commercial Kitchen Hood Installation project in Berwyn, after — A Berwyn bakery kitchen: before and after

The site: a bakery kitchen near Depot District. What bothered the owners most: an old, greasy hood that no longer covered the cook line. The result: a new stainless type I exhaust hood with fire suppression nozzles over the cook line. On site this meant site survey and equipment review, fire suppression coordination, plus start-up and airflow check.
Commercial Kitchen Hood Installation in Berwyn →

Commercial Hood Cleaning project near Oak Park, before — An Oak Park cafe kitchen: before and after

Finished: the same hood degreased to bare stainless with an inspection sticker area.
Commercial Hood Cleaning in Oak Park →

Commercial Hood Cleaning project near Oak Park, after — An Oak Park cafe kitchen: before and after

Finished: the same hood degreased to bare stainless with an inspection sticker area.
Commercial Hood Cleaning in Oak Park →

Grease Trap Installation & Cleaning project near Oak Park, before — An Oak Park commercial kitchen: before and after

The same interceptor pumped and the lid closed, service hose coiled on the truck.
Grease Trap Installation & Cleaning in Oak Park →

Grease Trap Installation & Cleaning project near Oak Park, after — An Oak Park commercial kitchen: before and after

The same interceptor pumped and the lid closed, service hose coiled on the truck.
Grease Trap Installation & Cleaning in Oak Park →

Kitchen Remodeling project near Oak Park, before — Oak Park kitchen, 1920s bungalow: kitchen remodeling

What changed: soft sage-green inset-style cabinets with unlacquered brass hardware, honed white marble-look quartz counters, a white handmade-look square tile backsplash, restored oak strip floor and schoolhouse pendant lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Oak Park →

Kitchen Remodeling project near Oak Park, after — Oak Park kitchen, 1920s bungalow: kitchen remodeling

What changed: soft sage-green inset-style cabinets with unlacquered brass hardware, honed white marble-look quartz counters, a white handmade-look square tile backsplash, restored oak strip floor and schoolhouse pendant lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Oak Park →

Scheduling around service

Call with your equipment listSend the equipment schedule, floor plan or a few photos of the line and the roof.
Site surveyA visit to measure the line and see how exhaust and makeup air can run.
Written proposal and permitsYou get a written, itemized proposal, then we prepare the drawings and file for permits.
InstallationWe install the system, coordinate suppression and keep the rest of the trades moving.
Testing and inspectionStart-up, airflow check, final inspections and the permit closed.

Book an estimate (708) 400-7049 Request a callback

Commercial Kitchen Hood Installation questions from Oak Park businesses

Do I need a hood for my equipment?

Tell us the equipment list. Grease-producing cooking needs a Type I hood, steam and heat may need a Type II, and some listed ventless units need none.

Who installs and services the fire suppression system?

The suppression system is the suppression contractor's work. We build the hood to accept it and schedule our work around their installation and test.

What code does a commercial hood have to meet?

NFPA 96 is the standard for commercial cooking ventilation, adopted alongside the mechanical code your village enforces. It covers hoods, grease duct, clearances, fans and suppression.

What type of contractor installs a commercial kitchen hood?

A commercial mechanical contractor experienced with kitchen exhaust installs the hood, duct and fan; a licensed fire suppression contractor installs the suppression system. We do the first and coordinate the second.

What is the difference between a Type I and Type II hood?

Grease decides it. Equipment that makes grease-laden vapor needs a Type I hood; equipment that only gives off heat or moisture usually gets a Type II.

Oak Park contractor registration: do kitchen contractors need it?

Contractors must be registered with the Village and keep a valid certificate of insurance uploaded in Village View. We take care of that before work starts.

Does hood installation need a Oak Park building permit, and who files it?

Permits go through Permit & Development Division (Development Services Department), phone 708-358-5430. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.

Which Oak Park office signs off on hood work?

Oak Park Fire Department inspections. We schedule the inspection and have the paperwork ready.

Do you work in my part of Oak Park?

Yes. Our crews work across Oak Park, including Ridgeland-Oak Park Historic District, Gunderson Historic District, Harrison Street arts district — ZIP 60302, 60304, 60301 — and nearby Berwyn, Chicago, Elmhurst.

Working in Oak Park

Downtime costs you covers, so Oak Park work is booked around your slow days and closing times.
When a permit is required, we prepare the submittal for Permit & Development Division (Development Services Department) and meet the fire inspector on site.
We handle the paperwork landlords and property managers ask for: insurance, access times and scope sign-off.

Ridgeland-Oak Park Historic DistrictGunderson Historic DistrictHarrison Street arts district

ZIP 60302ZIP 60304ZIP 60301