Range Hood Installation & Cabinet Planning Guide
Range Hood Installation Guide
This guide explains the key installation points for ROBAM-style range hoods, including under-cabinet installation, hidden built-in designs, side-draft models, duct routing, cabinet clearance and ceiling-height requirements.
Please always follow the installation manual supplied with your exact model. Different models may have different dimensions, duct positions, mounting methods and clearance requirements.
This guide is for general planning only. It is not a substitute for the product manual or a qualified installer’s assessment.
Quick Installation Checklist
| Item to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Read the model manual first | Each hood has its own mounting height, fixing points, duct outlet position and clearance requirements. |
| Confirm duct size and wall opening | Use the original duct size where possible. A 15cm to 18.5cm opening is usually workable with suitable accessories. |
| Check cabinet structure | The cabinet must be strong enough to support the hood and allow enough space for the duct and power connection. |
| Check space directly above the hood | The duct route must be free from pipes, drains, wiring or other obstructions. |
| Allow at least 20cm gap above cabinets if ducting runs on top | This helps prevent the duct from being crushed, bent too sharply or damaged. |
| Use a qualified person where wall cutting is needed | Wall openings, electrical work and hidden pipes/wires should be checked safely before cutting. |
1. Always Follow the Manual Supplied With Your Model
The installation manual is the most important document for fitting the hood correctly. Before cutting cabinets, drilling walls or preparing ducting, please check the manual for:
- Required installation height above the cooker or hob
- Exact product dimensions
- Cabinet cut-out size, if applicable
- Duct outlet position and duct diameter
- Mounting bracket and fixing-point locations
- Electrical connection requirements
- Minimum clearance around the hood
- Whether the model is suitable for under-cabinet, wall-mounted or built-in installation
2. Under-Cabinet and Hidden Built-In Installation
Some under-cabinet models are designed so that the surrounding kitchen storage can be built around the hood. This creates a clean, modern look where the hood is almost invisible, with only the control area or touch screen visible. This style is often used for clean, minimalist kitchens and built-in hood designs.
| Design style | Installation guidance |
|---|---|
| Hidden built-in cabinet style | The cabinet is built around the hood so the machine is mostly concealed. Check the manual carefully for cut-out size, ventilation space and access for servicing. |
| Undercabinet exposed style | The hood is fixed under the cabinet and remains partly visible. This is usually simpler to plan and gives easier access to the body of the hood. |
| Side-draft under-cabinet style | Some side-draft models can be installed under the cabinet, leaving the triangular body visible. This can place the extraction area closer to the cooking source. |
For hidden installations, please make sure the cabinet design does not block the air outlet, duct connection, service access, filter removal, touch controls or opening panel movement.
3. Side-Draft Models and Cooking Vapour Capture
Side-draft hoods are different from traditional flat canopy hoods. Some models sit closer to the cooking area, and the angled or triangular body may remain visible under the cabinet.
This design can be helpful because the extraction inlet is positioned closer to the vapour, steam and grease produced during cooking. In theory, capturing vapour closer to the source can improve extraction efficiency, especially for heavy stir-frying or high-steam cooking.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Closer to cooking source | Helps capture smoke, vapour and grease earlier. |
| Angled or side-draft design | Can guide rising fumes towards the inlet more directly. |
| Visible triangular body | Normal for some side-draft models and should be considered during kitchen design. |
| Under-cabinet compatibility | Useful where the customer wants storage above but still wants strong extraction. |
4. Ducting on Top of Cabinets: Allow at Least 20cm Gap
If the duct needs to run on top of the kitchen cabinets, please make sure there is enough space above the cabinets. As a practical guide, we recommend allowing at least 20cm of clear gap for the duct route.
This helps prevent the duct from being crushed, squeezed or forced into a sharp bend. A damaged or sharply bent duct can make the hood work harder and may increase noise.
| Above-cabinet condition | Guidance |
|---|---|
| 20cm or more clear gap | Generally more suitable for running ducting across the top of cabinets. |
| Less than 20cm gap | May cause the duct to be bent, squeezed or damaged. Please reassess before installation. |
| No clear gap | Ducting on top of the cabinet may not be suitable without cabinet or ceiling modification. |
5. Ceiling Height and 2.5m Internal Clearance Models
Some models are designed with an internal height clearance requirement of approximately 2.5m. This means they may be more suitable for kitchens with enough ceiling height and a clear vertical route above the hood.
In some UK homes, the internal ceiling height may be around 2.2m to 2.3m. In these properties, part of the hood body or ducting may need to run through the ceiling void or cabinet void.
| Ceiling / void condition | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Internal height around 2.5m or more | May be suitable, subject to the exact model manual and duct route. |
| Internal height around 2.2m to 2.3m | Check very carefully. Some models may require the hood or duct to pass through a void. |
| Void directly above hood is clear | May be possible if the model allows this type of installation. |
| Void above hood contains pipes or obstructions | Do not proceed without professional assessment. A different model may be more suitable. |
6. Check for Pipes, Drains and Obstructions Above the Hood
Before choosing a model or cutting any opening, please check whether the area directly above the hood is free to use. This is especially important if the duct needs to pass through a cabinet void, ceiling void or upper floor space.
Common obstructions may include:
- Bathroom waste pipes
- Toilet soil pipes
- Sink or basin drainage pipes
- Water supply pipes
- Electrical cables
- Structural beams or joists
- Existing ventilation ducts
7. Duct Size, Wall Opening and Accessories
For best performance, we recommend using the original duct size supplied with the hood wherever possible. For many high-extraction models, this may be around 18.5cm.
If your existing wall opening is between 15cm and 18.5cm, suitable adaptor rings or reducer accessories may usually help with installation. Where the accessory includes removable or cuttable rings, smaller sections may be cut away where appropriate to maintain a larger airflow path.
| Wall opening | Guidance |
|---|---|
| 18.5cm | Best option where possible. |
| 15cm to 18.5cm | Usually workable with suitable accessories or adaptor rings. |
| 15cm | Generally the smallest recommended practical outlet size. |
| Below 15cm | Not recommended. Ask qualified personnel to enlarge the wall opening. |
8. Professional Installation and Electrical Safety
Range hood installation may involve wall drilling, cabinet cutting, duct routing and electrical connection. If you are unsure, please arrange installation by a qualified person.
| Work type | Who should handle it |
|---|---|
| Electrical connection | Qualified electrician or competent installer, according to local requirements. |
| Wall opening enlargement | Qualified tradesperson with suitable tools and knowledge of hidden services. |
| Cabinet cutting | Kitchen fitter, cabinet maker or competent installer using the model manual. |
| Duct routing through voids | Qualified installer who can check pipes, wiring and structure. |
9. Before You Buy: Send Photos and Measurements
To help choose the most suitable model, we recommend preparing the following information before purchase:
- Photo of the cooker/hob area
- Photo of the cabinet or wall above the cooker
- Current wall opening size, if already present
- Ceiling height from floor to ceiling
- Distance from hob surface to the bottom of the cabinet
- Whether ducting exits directly outside, runs above cabinets, or goes upstairs
- Whether there are pipes, drains or wires above the hood position
- Whether you want the hood hidden inside the cabinet or visible under the cabinet
This helps avoid choosing a model that does not suit the kitchen layout or duct route.
Final Recommendation
For the best result, choose the hood and installation method together. A powerful hood works best when it has a suitable duct size, enough cabinet clearance, a clear outlet route and proper installation.
If you want a hidden built-in look, make sure the cabinet is designed around the exact model manual. If you choose a side-draft model, remember that part of the triangular body may remain visible, which is normal for some designs.
If ducting runs on top of cabinets, allow at least 20cm clear gap. If the model requires around 2.5m internal clearance, but your home has only around 2.2m to 2.3m internal height, please confirm that the space directly above the hood is clear and usable before purchase.
If the wall opening is smaller than 15cm, or if there are pipes, drains or obstructions above the hood, please arrange a qualified person to inspect or modify the area before installation.