Cooking should smell great in the moment and not the next day. In Toronto homes where winter windows stay shut and open concepts are common, a well-designed range hood and ducting plan keeps air clean, cabinets grease-free, and smoke alarms silent.

Why Kitchen Ventilation Matters In Toronto

• Airtight renovations trap humidity and cooking byproducts if you only recirculate.
• Open concepts spread odors to fabric furniture and bedrooms.
• Winter means less natural ventilation. A correct hood keeps RH down and helps your HRV work efficiently.

Sizing The Hood: CFM Without Guesswork

There are two common rules of thumb. We confirm with the manufacturer specs and your cooking style.

By width

• Wall hood: about 100 CFM per linear foot of cooktop. Example: 30 in (2.5 ft) cooktop → 250 to 350 CFM minimum.
• Island hood: capture is harder because there are no side walls, so plan 150 CFM per linear foot. Example: 36 in (3 ft) island → 450 CFM plus.

By gas output

• Roughly 1 CFM per 100 BTU of total burner rating. Example: a 50,000 BTU range suggests 500 CFM. Electric and induction usually need less than powerful gas.

Capture Matters More Than Just CFM

• Hood depth and coverage: Aim for a hood that covers all burners and projects at least 2 to 3 inches beyond the front burners.
• Mounting height: Follow the manufacturer. Typically is 24 to 30 inches above electric and 30 to 36 inches above gas.
• Baffle filters: Prefer baffles for easy cleaning and better grease capture. Mesh clogs faster.

Hood Types: What Works Where

• Under‑cabinet: Clean look and good for smaller kitchens. Choose a model with a full capture tray and baffles.
• Wall chimney: Strong statement and reliable capture for 30 to 36 in ranges.
• Insert liner + remote blower: Hides the hood in custom cabinetry while keeping noise low. Great for premium kitchens.
• Island hoods: Size up and consider a deeper canopy for better capture.
• Over‑the‑range microwave: Convenient but limited capture. Works in condos or rentals, but is not ideal for heavy cooking.
• Downdraft: Last resort where a wall hood is impossible. Performance is usually weaker.

Ducting Done Right

Airflow is won or lost in the ductwork.

• Use a smooth metal duct sized to the hood outlet. 6 in for many 400 to 600 CFM units. 8 in or more for higher CFM.
• Keep runs short and straight with large radius elbows. Every tight bend steals performance.
• Terminate to the exterior with a proper wall or roof cap and a backdraft damper.
• Seal joints with foil tape or mastic. Do not use cloth duct tape.
• In cold spaces, insulate the duct to reduce condensation.

Makeup Air: When More CFM Needs More Planning

High-powered exhaust can depressurize a tight house, which pulls in cold air and can backdraft combustion appliances. For larger hoods, a makeup air kit may be recommended or required. Options include:

• A passive damper that opens with a pressure difference.
• Motorized damper interlocked with the hood so it opens only when you cook.
• Tied to HRV or furnace return with a tempered air path so incoming air is not frigid.

We coordinate makeup air with your HVAC contractor and confirm local code requirements as part of permitting.

Noise: Sones, Remote Blowers, And Isolation

• Look for low sone ratings at working speeds, not just low.
• Consider a remote inline or rooftop blower to move the noise away from the kitchen.
• Use flex connectors at the hood and isolation hangers on long runs to reduce vibration.

Condo And Rowhouse Realities

• Many condos require recirculating hoods tied to the building exhaust or restrict penetrations. We spec charcoal filters and verify stack compatibility.
• In shared wall homes, we avoid party wall penetrations and plan the shortest path to a side or rear wall cap.
• Always check condo board rules and get approvals before ordering appliances or cabinetry.

Controls, Lighting, And Cleaning

• Multi‑speed control so you can use low for simmer and high for searing.
• Auto timer for a 10 to 20 minute run after cooking.
• LED lighting at 3000 K with good coverage of rear burners.
• Dishwasher-safe baffles cleaned every 1 to 2 months, depending on use.

Budget Tiers You Can Plan Around

Good
Under‑cabinet hood 300 to 400 CFM, rigid duct to exterior with a short run, LED lights, and a basic wall cap.

Better
Wall chimney hood 600 CFM with baffles, upsized duct, long sweep elbows, and timer control. Optional passive makeup air damper.

Best
Insert hood with remote inline or rooftop blower 700 to 900 CFM, 8 in duct, motorized makeup air damper interlocked to the hood, and custom cabinetry trim.

Our Process At JG Contracting

1. Assessment of cooking style, appliance specs, and duct routes.
2. Sizing and selections that balance capture, noise, and budget.
3. Permits and coordination with HVAC for makeup air when needed.
4. Clean installation with sealed ductwork and precise cabinetry integration.
5. Walkthrough of controls, filter care, and noise tips.

Related reading on our blog

• Toronto Kitchen Lighting Guide 2025
• Load‑Bearing Wall Removal Guide 2025
• Aging‑in‑Place Renovations 2025

Ready To Breathe Easier While You Cook?

The right hood and ducting plan makes everyday cooking calmer and cleaner. From compact condos to family-sized kitchens, we will tailor a ventilation package that works.

Ready to transform your home? Contact us today to book a consultation.

📞 Call us at: 437-259-9632

✉️ Email us at: jgcontractingyyz@gmail.com

🌐 Website: https://jgcontractingyyz.com