Kitchen range hoods offer style and substance

Above every stove or cooktop hangs an opportunity to express yourself.

No more are we stuck with a boring, bulgy box that howls from a space beneath the spice cabinet.

Range hoods are evolving and competing to be a focal point. They now float elegantly above a voluptuous kitchen island or command attention from a wall.

Make the right choices, and you can have a sleek new kitchen ventilation system that has power and a purr — for an investment starting at about $400, plus installation.

It would be easy to spend a lot more. Prices for custom and high-end decorative hoods can quickly climb to thousands of dollars.

Homeowners are turning on to the trend. From the artsy to designs with attitude, decorative range hoods are turning up in settings from contemporary to traditional.

"If you're doing a traditional home, there's no reason you couldn't use a more decorative hood," said Lora Donoghue, past president of the National Kitchen and Bath Association's Carolinas Chapter.

The might and muscle is important these days. Ranges in many homes are big, sometimes with six to eight burners.

That's a lot of territory for a range hood to cover to remove the grease and steam bubbling up from the pots and pans.

"If it isn't leaving the house, [the greasy steam] is on — guess what: beautiful new cabinets, carpeting, upholstery, walls, pictures and you," said Jan Byers, manager of the Sub-Zero/Wolf showroom in Charlotte, N.C.

Many homeowners still prefer traditional decor. About 70 percent of customers want a traditional look when they come to Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery in Charlotte. A custom hood built by a cabinetmaker is often their choice.

A hood can be built to match the cabinets — and the size of the range.

A custom hood will need a liner and an insert, which includes all of the innards that do the dirty work.

A decorative range hood is a second option. The single unit combines a hood and insert. These often have a more contemporary look.

Lighting is usually built into a ventilation system. Halogen, fluorescent and LED fixtures are common.

While design is important, customers want a model that works well, above all. That means power without the howl.

"The No. 1 concern is consumers want something quiet," Gant said.

The best option is a blower that is vented to the outdoors. Range hoods that recirculate air through a filter generally don't perform as well.

The strength of the blower should be based on the size and features of the range.