It is impossible to imagine any modern kitchen where food preparation takes place without a hood system. Its functions include air purification, maintaining a microclimate and removing harmful substances. Earlier we wrote about ventilation pipes for the hood, today we'll talk about boxes.
What are the hoods?
Hoods are of three main types (for more details, see this article): suspended, recessed, domed. Suspended are compact, have cleaning filters and are hung directly above the stove, without an air duct and outlet to ventilation.
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There are models with a metal filter, which does not need to be changed, but only washed periodically. The hoods have control panels: with a slider, push-button, touch-sensitive, as well as electronic.
Electronically controlled devices are equipped with additional features such as:
- automatic activation during cooking;
- automatic power boost in case of increased air pollution;
- the presence of an indicator when filling the filter;
- automatic switching on of lighting when a person approaches the stove.
Dome hoods are more like a fireplace element with an air duct and outlet to the ventilation duct. Built-in models are installed in kitchen furniture in special niches.
There is a large selection of models with various additional functions. They also have a pull-out panel and high power. The hoods operate in two modes:
- flow-through with outlet to the ventilation system;
- with recirculation, where the air is cleaned through filters that trap grease. Filters are single-use and reusable. Further final cleaning takes place through carbon filters. The air is purified by 70%. The charcoal filters must be replaced as they become dirty.
The air extraction and purification system removes excess moisture, unpleasant frying odors, combustion products, carbon dioxide. Promotes fresh air and comfort.
A box is a kind of structure of various shapes and shapes, made of different types of materials, which masks, hides the details of the duct and parts of the hood.
Gives the entire structure an aesthetic appearance. Performing certain functional tasks, it determines the external design, combined with the kitchen set.
Types of hoods by shape and method of attachment
Having established what is the distance from the duct to the plate, as well as choosing the type, you can choose the design of the duct. By the method of attachment, there can be:
- Open type, that is, in plain sight. In this view, all the elements are visible and hidden by the box only the corrugation and the duct itself. They are distinguished by a variety of designs. The cost of such structures is much higher than the others.
- Built-in - hidden from prying eyes. In this type, all elements are carefully closed. Only the front part is visible. It is more popular due to its compactness and simplicity. The built-in hood looks one piece with the kitchen furniture and is kept in the same style and design.
Exhaust structures are in shape:
- Ostrovnaya - Attaches directly to the ceiling, most often above the worktop and hob located in the middle of the kitchen. The kitchen is island-style, and the worktop has a square or rectangular look.
- Wall - located on the wall. This takes into account the height of the ceiling and the free space on the wall. They can be domed, fireplace, pyramidal, rectangular in shape. This design can dispense with ventilation.
- Built-in - Convenient flat design for small kitchen areas. It is attached to the wall or directly to the box; it does not have large air ducts.
- Corner - has a triangular shape and is mounted in the corner of walls and kitchen furniture above the corner hob.
Materials for choosing boxes for the kitchen, advantages and disadvantages
Decorative boxes that hide the elements of the ventilation system perform not only the function of decoration, but also reduce the noise of the hood electric motor. It is important what material the box is made of.
It must be resistant to moisture, temperature extremes, chemical and mechanical stress during cooking.
A box made of any material must be regularly cleaned of dust, grease and dirt. The materials from which the boxes are made have their pros and cons.
Therefore, when buying or making it yourself, you need to take this into account. Structures are made of the following materials: plastic, metal, wood and drywall.
Plastic construction
Plastic is polyvinyl chloride. Plastic boxes are round and rectangular. A rectangular box is more organic and looks good with kitchen cabinets.
Quick and easy to assemble. The material has great sound insulation, is durable and has a long service life, does not corrode. Easy to cut and fit on site. It is very light in weight.
The disadvantages of plastic include the fact that the white color eventually becomes yellow, matte, gray. Forms dents under the weight of objects or from mechanical stress.
After a while, its surface becomes porous, where dust and dirt penetrates, which is difficult to remove. When assembling the connections of plastic elements, the sequence must be followed.
For tightness, so that dirty air does not fall on the surface of the box and does not penetrate into the room, silicone should be applied to the joints. There are many different connecting pieces on sale.
With their help, the channels are connected in any direction and at any angle. Structural fasteners must be installed often along the entire length at a distance of at least a meter, and also strengthened at the junction of parts with each other.
Metal construction
A box or hood made of metal is a more reliable design. Stainless steel is the ideal starting material. Ordinary metal is coated with powder paint.
The stainless steel is easy to clean, does not absorb dirt, strong and durable. Differs in stylish modern design. No scratches are visible on it. The material is not subject to corrosion.
The disadvantages include the high price and the presence of a monotonous range of colors. The complexity of the assembly, the need to comply with the accuracy of measurements. The structure is heavy and requires a secure fit.
The box made of this material does not protect against noise, and also fingerprints remain on the surface, which are difficult to wash. It does not always fit into the interior of the furniture, it looks bulky.
When assembling a metal frame, welding is used and cut with a grinder. If the metal sheet is thin, replace the welding with metal glue. The sheets are overlapped.
Plasterboard constructions
Drywall - affordable material has gained great popularity among other types of materials. For the manufacture of ventilation boxes, moisture resistant brands are chosen.
A cheap lightweight material - drywall is easy to assemble of any configuration and shape. It is necessary to install metal profiles for installation.
Allows you to assemble a box to hide the duct in a short time. Care must be taken when working with drywall, as the material is quite fragile.
The material is convenient and easy to process, so the box can be made and assembled by yourself, without unnecessary expenses and the involvement of a master. The finished box can be processed, putty and finished with tiles, wallpaper, mosaics and other materials for decoration.
With proper use and pre-treatment from the effects, it will last a long time.
Decorative box made of wood
A box made of wood looks harmoniously with a kitchen set made of the same material. Possessing the same properties, it will be part of the kitchen, complementing the design of a certain style, and also fulfilling a functional purpose.
Wood is an environmentally sound, reliable material that requires little maintenance. The disadvantage is the heaviness of the finished structure.
Rules for choosing the cross-section of the duct
Air ducts are made of plastic and aluminum, corrugated and round. Rectangular structures look harmoniously against the background of rectangular cabinets.
Round ducts are more efficient due to their lower resistance to air passage. Corrugated pipes are soft, easy to bend at any angle and weightless.
They do not insulate noise well and in the inner surface, having a ribbed structure, quickly get dirty. During installation, it is recommended to stretch the pleats of the corrugation as much as possible in order to reduce the relief for the accumulation of dirt.
To get the result of good cleaning and fresh air flow, as well as to ensure that the air duct runs without interruption and noise, it is necessary to calculate the dimensions and diameter of the air duct.
The diameter of this structure should be the same or slightly larger than the diameter for the outlet at the hood. The smaller diameter reduces the flow rate and the efficiency of the work, as the resistance of the passing air increases.
The power of the used hood is also reduced. When installing the air duct, it is impossible to plan sharp corners, angles of 90 °. To prevent air from returning, a check valve must be installed.
The ventilation ducts must be above the hob. The length of pipes for air outlet is provided for no more than 3 meters.
In order for the hood to be used as much as possible and to work correctly, the distance between the stove and the hood is kept no more than 75 cm.
When choosing hoods for the kitchen and boxes for decoration, you need to rely on technical parameters, the size of the kitchen, personal preference, and financial situation. Also study the characteristics of materials, their functionality.
Considering all the points, you can choose acceptable options for the hood for your kitchen. Purchase a box or do it yourself, hide the bulky and ugly parts of the duct. And your kitchen will take on an individual stylish look.
Video: do-it-yourself drywall kitchen ventilation box
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