Comfort is not increased demands, it is conditions that contribute to a positive impact on the psychophysical state of a person. In order not to languish from the heat during cooking and to prevent the spread of odors to other rooms, an air vent is necessary in the kitchen. For aesthetics and for the purpose of protection from undesirable effects, its parts are placed in a hood. About what can be boxes and how to install them, will be discussed in this article.
Principles of operation of forced ventilation systems
Ventilation of kitchens has become a prerequisite for the normal functioning of the room. In general, the kitchen exhaust system has the following elements:
- engine;
- fan;
- filters;
- pipes.
The engine provides the fan, which supplies polluted air flow to the filters, where particles of fat and burning are trapped, then the streams enter the duct – into the pipe system for ventilation. There are two types of functioning exhaust systems:
- circulating;
- flow.
The circulation system involves the intake of polluted air with a fan, passing it through several filters, where the fumes and grease settle first, and then the air flow itself is filtered, and the cleaned air is returned to the room again. This is an expensive system, it is difficult to operate, as there is a frequent need for washing and replacing filters.
They resort to the use of such an air cleaning system most often in cases when the connection to the general ventilation channel is complicated (actual for apartments) or the external ventilation outlet turns out to be on the facade of a private house-building. Systems with in-line cleaning are very popular, when dirty air, after passing through a filter, is removed to the outside. There are several advantages to these systems:
- more efficient air cleaning;
- easy care;
- affordable cost.
But such a system requires the presence of a ventilation box. Consequently, the installation is somewhat more complicated, where the placement of a common ventilation channel will be of great importance. In addition to solving technical problems, there is a need for the right design choice: a kitchen with a ventilation box should be comfortable and aesthetic.
The process of installation of this system is carried out in the presence of one of two circumstances:
- the installation site was incorporated into the construction (or repair) project, while all
- preparatory work;
- It is necessary to build the system in the already existing conditions.
Production of a large number of types of hoods, the parameters and technical characteristics of which vary depending on the location, allows you to choose the appropriate option. Ventilation systems can take the following positions:
- to be built in a furniture case;
- fasten to the wall;
- located in the corner;
- hang from the ceiling along the wall;
- take any ceiling position (island hoods).
Built-in hood is installed in a hinged furniture cabinet. This is a convenient option that does not entail special design requirements. Retractable lower part, which is most often present in such models, automatically starts the engine, brings the system into a working state. The ventilation box becomes part of the furniture in which the connections are hidden, which greatly simplifies installation.
The wall hood is an open part of the kitchen, so, in addition to the technical requirements, it must have a certain appearance. The box is hidden by the general body, on a flat rectangular surface there is a control and lighting panel.
In small kitchens in the area set the corner hoods. The cut corners of the case reduce the overall dimensions of the structure, which is important for small spaces: the exhaust system does not seem cumbersome.
Suspended hoods are attached to the ceiling. Special requirements are imposed on the appearance of the box, which remains open. This design does not take up much space, facilitates the perception of the working wall.
Island hoods are usually installed in kitchens with a large area when the hob is not located near the wall, but is located in the center (or is offset in any direction) of the room. This hood, in addition to the functional purpose, is one of the main components of the interior.
Exhaust systems traditionally come in two forms: rectangular (square) and round. Embedded and wall-mounted models most often have a rectangular ventilation box, plastic or metal. Suspended and island hoods – round, metal, although rectangular hanging options are quite common.
Helpful advice! Round ventilating ducts for hoods visually appear less rectangular and are successfully combined with other interior items of a similar shape, for example, with rounded backs of chairs or oven panes, microwave ovens, with rounded edges of the table top.
The part of the hood where the engine, fan and filters are placed is always closed and has an aesthetic look. But as for the connection to the general ventilation duct or to the outlet of the air flow to the outside, there are models already equipped with boxes, but there are also those that need to be equipped with these devices on their own or make them.
For the production of boxes used two main types of material: plastic and metal. Outwardly, both options look presentable. As for performance, both one and the other have both advantages and disadvantages. Ready models are most often completed with metal boxes. Independently more often produce plastic air ducts for kitchen extracts.
One of the main positive qualities of a plastic hood box in the kitchen is affordability. But not only this advantage makes these products popular. Such air vents are easily mounted. The assembly principle is the pipe-to-socket method. With the right calculation installation is not difficult. The characteristics of the material make such a box acceptable. The inner surface is smooth, on it is not so intensely accumulated fat, burning residues. Consequently, there will be no need for frequent cleaning. With proper operation on such products, manufacturers give a guarantee of 50 years.
The material is not subject to corrosion, it does not accumulate condensate. During operation, especially if the box has a considerable length, the issue of noise is usually acute. Plastic models, in contrast to the metal, have a low noise level. This indicator is important in providing comfort. As a positive quality, it is worth noting the presence of a large number of variations of components, which allows you to choose a model for any technical conditions. Summarizing the above, we can say that the main advantages of plastic boxes are:
- low price;
- long service life;
- technical qualities of the product, ensuring ease of operation;
- low noise level.
With the constantly increasing quality level of polymers, plastic, however, remains a vulnerable material for mechanical damage and high temperatures. If open sunlight gets on the outer surface, then with time it becomes rough. This leads to accumulation of fat deposits in the pores and complication of the cleaning process. Traces of scratches become more visible, the overall aesthetic level is significantly reduced.
A metal product is a more reliable design. The most popular boxes for exhaust hood made of stainless steel. Their main operational advantage is relatively easy cleaning. Traces of burning and grease are washed off with any detergent. Material resistant to mechanical stress, non-corrosive.
Particularly noteworthy are the visual qualities: stylish, glamorous, presentable. Highlighting these advantages, it is worth paying attention to the fact that this type of box is suitable not for any room. The design looks cumbersome, therefore, it must match the size of the surrounding furniture and the room as a whole. This option must be correctly entered into the interior of the kitchen.
The disadvantage of the metal box can be considered a high noise level. In addition, fingerprints that remain easily on the surface cause problems – you will have to make an effort to keep the hood clean. Metal construction is more difficult to mount. It should be attributed to the drawbacks and the monotony of color, as this contributes to the limited use.
Quite often, galvanized ventilation boxes are installed in kitchens. The material is based on a zinc-coated metal. This is a fairly durable compound that is protected from corrosion, in the installation it is much simpler than a stainless steel, and also has a lower cost. In terms of durability, zinc is inferior to stainless steel. But a variety of modifications galvanized boxes makes them more acceptable.
Helpful advice! Choosing a metal box for exhaust, you need to be sure of the material. Sometimes, galvanized steel is given out for a stainless steel product (especially if it has not been subjected to finishing mirror treatment). It is worth carefully examining the box: zinc has characteristic spots – crystallization pattern.
Venkorob in the kitchen is an important subject in all respects, so its operation should be considered in two directions:
- technical functionality that creates a microclimate in the room by venting air polluted in pairs, hair and fatty particles;
- design functionality, which is to fill the interior with aesthetics and originality.
The conditions necessary for good operation of the ventilation system are interrelated, and the problem of their creation is only necessary to be solved in the complex. To ensure design requirements, you need to choose the appropriate shape, size, color, etc. However, you can make the best choice only taking into account the location, which provides the correct connection. If the ventilation box needs to be pulled through the entire kitchen, it is impossible to preserve the aesthetics and ensure sufficient intensity of drawing out the air flow, and a rather large part of the kitchen space is involved. Determine the location of the air outlet is necessary depending on the conditions:
- places of passage of the common ventilation shaft;
- technical characteristics of the hood;
- layout and way of furnishing the room.
The hood is always installed above the hob. Sometimes it is difficult to find a compromise between the convenient location of the cooking place and compliance with the technical requirements for the normal functioning of the air vent. Consumer characteristics of the hood are not lost if the length of the ventilation box is 120-150 mm. Each subsequent 50-70 mm reduce the intensity of the passage of air by 10-12%.
Helpful advice! If the air outlet channel has a length of more than 200 cm, it is necessary to purchase an extractor with a power exceeding the optimum for a kitchen area of 100–200 m? / H.
For the full functioning of the kitchen ventilation system, it is necessary to choose the right exhaust power and calculate the parameters of the air vent. The main indicator when choosing a box is its internal section. The capacity of the system as a whole will depend on this size and engine power.
Helpful advice! If the hood works normally, but the traces of constant cleaning, minor damages and dull color do not give rest, there is no need to buy a new model, you can simply purchase a hood separately.
An old plastic box for ventilation, covered with a modern metal casing made of stainless steel, will drastically change the place of exhaust in kitchen design. Often the problem of the appearance of the design arises when replacing kitchen furniture. Changing the color and shape with the help of this accessory will lead to harmony all the furnishings.
The desire to quickly turn off the hood in order to get rid of the noise will most likely be associated with the wrong device of the air exhaust duct, with the inconsistency of its dimensions with the power of the hood. The kitchen with a ventilating box, the design of which violates the general perception of style, does not contribute to a comfortable feeling. The exhaust system, installed with all technical requirements and in accordance with the interior features, will provide not only clean air, but also comfort.
