RANGE HOOD BASICS

If you are new to kitchen ventilation, range hood terms can feel confusing at first. CFM, sones, ducted, ductless, baffle filters, mesh filters, makeup air, insert hoods, wall-mount hoods, and under-cabinet hoods all sound technical, but each one plays a simple role in how your kitchen removes smoke, grease, odor, steam, and heat. This section explains those basics in clear, beginner-friendly language.

Our goal is to make range hood knowledge easier for homeowners, renters, remodelers, and first-time buyers. We explain what a range hood does, why ventilation matters, how different hood types work, what common terms mean, and how to understand the features you see in product descriptions. These guides are not meant to push you directly into buying something. They are built to help you understand the foundation first, so when you compare range hoods later, you can make a more confident and informed decision.