Island hoods: characteristics, selection rules and installation of structures

One of the main attributes of a modern kitchen is a cooker hood, since it not only allows you to purify the air, but also protects decorative finishes and furniture from grease and soot. Today there are many types of this device, but the island model deserves special attention, which fits perfectly into the kitchen interior of both apartments and private houses. Its design is easy to install and allows you to save space, filling the room with coziness and a touch of modernity.

Recently, many kitchens are decorated with an island, such a layout is convenient and makes it possible to rationally place furniture and appliances. For such an interior, an island hood is located in the center of the room, thanks to innovative solutions it can have various sizes and shapes, beautiful lighting and many types of fixtures.

This kitchen structure is multifunctional, made of high quality materials and is characterized by the following features:

1. for the installation of exhaust equipment, only the ceiling mounting system is provided;
2. the device is equipped with several types of filters, which provides excellent air recirculation and more delicate cleaning;
3. the technique differs significantly in its external design, which is represented by a vertical air duct;
4. there is no ventilation hatch in such hoods;
5. the hood of the product is movable, so its location can be easily controlled by lowering it down to the base of the plate.

As a rule, all island-style hoods operate on a remote control and are simultaneously equipped with a unique control system, thanks to which the chef does not need to independently determine the level of air pollution, which makes the cooking process as convenient as possible.

The main advantages of the device also include the following points.

• Versatility... Exhaust equipment can be installed both in the center of the kitchen and around its entire perimeter. Thanks to this, it becomes possible to rationally arrange the arrangement of equipment and furniture.
• Various types of designs. A huge selection of products made of glass, steel and ceramics will satisfy the needs of even the most demanding home owners. The hood, in addition to its main functions, will become a real decoration of the room.
• High performance... The cleaning equipment is equipped with a heavy-duty engine, therefore it is characterized by high technical parameters.
• Multifunctionality... The main unit is produced in different design options. Cooker hoods are available with enhanced illumination, which are built directly into the ceiling. They can perfectly replace the light while the stove is in operation.

As for the shortcomings, there are few of them. Island hoods are too noisy, so if quiet operation of the device is important for home owners, then it is best to give preference to silent models.In addition, carbon filters of technology require timely and constant replacement, since they are not reusable and cannot be cleaned. A big disadvantage in such designs is their high cost, if the family budget does not allow purchasing an expensive model, then you can pick up the usual one with a minimum set of functions.

Before you go to buy an island hood, you need to calculate in advance the perimeter of its coverage area and, accordingly, the amount of work. Thus, it will be easy to determine such important parameters as device size, fan speed and performance. In addition, it is necessary to choose the desired shape and type of construction, which would be in harmony with the design of the kitchen.

In order for the technique to reliably serve for a long time, it should be chosen, taking into account the following nuances.

• Place of installation... The location of the hood depends on whether the kitchen has the ability to fit into a centralized ventilation shaft. If such an installation is difficult to do, then you need to purchase a unit operating in recirculation mode.
• Power... It is chosen depending on the area of ​​the room. Typically, the capacity of the unit can be from 400 to 1000 m3 / h. Thus, even the simplest model will be able to serve a kitchen up to 25 m2 with high quality.

• Noisiness... Since the device is characterized by high technical parameters, it works noisily. Therefore, experts do not recommend the installation of heavy-duty structures for small rooms. To make it comfortable to work in the kitchen, it is advisable to choose hoods that create noise up to 40 dB, it is normally perceived and does not irritate the hearing.
• Control types... Today, almost all equipment is produced with a touch panel. At the same time, many prefer remote control, this is especially important if the unit is installed high.

• Trademark... When choosing one or another device model, you must first familiarize yourself with the reviews on it and check with the manufacturer for service and warranty issues. It is best to give preference to well-known brands that have proven themselves in the market.
• Design... Of course, the main function of the hood is to provide a comfortable environment during cooking, but despite this, it must also be stylish and combined with the rest of the interior items. For example, a mobile white model is suitable for small kitchens, and for spacious rooms you can buy larger structures, supplemented by shelves.

Island structures are represented by many manufacturers who offer buyers equipment of both budget and elite class. The rating of popular models is as follows.

• Ventolux Italia Isola 90. This product is from an Italian manufacturer that has been successfully operating on the market for over 10 years. The hood is available with a full range of functions and touch control. The body of the device is made of stainless steel, decorated with beautiful and bright backlighting. Thanks to the wide funnel, unpleasant odors are quickly absorbed, they are passed through a special filtration system and either outside or returned to the room.

• Hansa OWC 4778 IH. This unit is a quality product of the German brand, which is popular all over the world. The construction is made of stainless steel and can be conveniently set to any height. Halogen lamps are responsible for the illumination in the hood, and the device is controlled using a touch panel.The filter of the unit is aluminum, in addition to it, there is also a place for installing carbon filters, the level of pollution of which is indicated by the indicator.

• Zirtal KD-IS CUBE 70. The device is made in Italy, although the brand itself is based in Switzerland. Unlike standard island types, this hood is characterized by huge dimensions that fit perfectly into the classic style of the kitchen. The unit body is made of stainless steel, easy to adjust. You can control the operation of the device using touch buttons, in addition to them, halogen lamps are also mounted in the case, providing good lighting.

• Bosch DIA 098E50. These are products of a German brand that have successfully established themselves in the market due to their high quality. The main feature of the cooker hood is that its body is covered with glued glass, and the lighting is framed by four LED lamps. The device is controlled by an electronic touch panel. During filtration, polluted air can be either removed from the room, or simply cleaned without removal. Despite the fact that the device is equipped with three power levels, it creates a rather loud noise during operation and does not have timers.

The process of installing an island hood is simple, so it is quite possible to cope with it on your own without the help of specialists. The most important thing is to prepare the ceiling for installation and be able to use electric tools to complete the fastening.

The work will consist of the following stages.

1. First you need to lay the electrical wiring and mount the air duct. Usually, all these communications are placed under the ceiling and then decorated with a suspension system. Electrical wiring is taken the most common, without switches, and it is advisable to choose rectangular or round air ducts made of plastic. As for the corrugation, it is not necessary, as it will quickly clog up and create additional noise.
2. Then the structure itself is attached. The hood can be fixed to the ceiling using studs with collets or special cables, the choice depends on the type of model.
3. Next, the device is connected to the wiring and duct. The wires are connected to each other at the terminals, and the air duct is connected using a branch pipe.
4. The final point is the installation of protective covers. It's simple - the ventilation opening is closed with standard boxes. As a rule, hoods are sold fully equipped, so the external finishing is quick and easy to assemble. The only thing that will have to be done is to fit the box to the size, and install its two halves around the duct.

Today, there are many options for decorating a kitchen with an island hood, since the product is produced in the form of a square, glass, drop and cube. Most often, such models are chosen for rooms in which minimalism and high-tech style prevail.Thanks to the unique design, it becomes possible to zone the room, especially when the kitchen space combines the dining room and the living room at the same time. In this case, the place of cooking is equipped with all the necessary equipment, a countertop, and a hood is placed above the stove, which should be in harmony with all the details in the interior.

The glossy white model, inlaid with platinum or gold, looks gorgeous in the kitchen in a classic style. It is recommended to decorate it with crystal-rimmed lighting fixtures. For the Art Nouveau direction, it is best to select oval or round designs made in bright colors. Glass or metal hoods in the form of flying saucers or space rockets are very popular in the interior.

For information on how to mount an island hood, see the next video.