When it comes to searching for the best wall vent cap for a range hood, you need to be cautious and know exactly what you want. A range hood is perfect for someone who cooks on a high-powered stove. Most homes have heating and air AC systems with ductwork connecting the furnace to the different rooms.
Wall vent caps help to cover the wall opening where the ducts come into the room. Dampers are normally attached to the back of airflow into a room. It is common to find wall vent caps for range hoods in many homes with forced air systems. But, what is the best wall vent cap for a range hood to buy today? Below we’ll review some of the best options to consider buying.
What Type of Duct Is Best for Venting a Range Hood?
The best type of duct for venting a range hood depends on the design of your kitchen. If you have the option of choosing a flexible metal and a smooth-wall air duct, you can select the second option. The reason this is advisable is that the ridges in the flexible metal ducts tend to create turbulence, which may end up reducing the airflow.
Below are some of the types of duct suitable for venting a range hood.
- Semi-rigid duct – The good thing about this is that it’s flexible, high-quality, and durable.
- Rigid duct – It offers higher quality than flex duct and it’s also made of durable material.
How Do I Choose a Hood Vent?
When it comes to choosing a hood vent, there are several things you need to consider. They include:
Standard Improvement for Your Home in Your Area
The standard improvement your home needs depending on your area is the first you need to consider before choosing any hood vent. There is the option of choosing ducted or non-ducted hood vents. Therefore, you have to compare these two options before making your decision.
Budget
Although it sounds like a common question, the cost is also a major contributing factor when choosing a hood vent. You have to consider your budget and the hood vents available in that price range to determine whether they are worth it or not.
The Type of Vent
The type of vent also plays a significant role in your decision – since you wouldn’t want to choose a hood vent that won’t fit perfectly with your home vent system. Therefore, you need to check on this factor to ensure you select the right hood vent.
Hoods should be designed in regards to the size and strength of the range. Therefore, a hood that is properly designed should cover the full width of the range and at least 50 percent of the front burners.
Pro Tip: The strength of a vent hood is determined by the amount of air it moves, which is represented in CFM (cubic feet per minute).
How Many CFM for a Range Hood Do I Really Need?
Since the ventilation power of your range hood is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM), that means the higher the CFM the more air the hood can vent out of your kitchen. To be able to properly power a vent hood, you need to have at least 100 CFM for every 10,000 BTUs of your stovetop.
Here’s a good example:
200,000 CFM requires at least a 2000 CFM range hood. In the case of electric stoves, you can multiply the width by 10.
If you want to efficiently vent the cooking exhaust from your kitchen, consider using a range hood of at least 600 CFM.
The best range hood is typically different for each person since it depends on your cooking style and kitchen habits.
7 Best Wall Vent Cap for Range Hood
- Broan 641 Wall Cap for 6” Round Duct for Range Hoods
- Overall size showing on the surface is 9" square with a 5-1/2" hood and a 1-1/4" long attachment collar for 6" round ductwork (NOT for use with dryer venting)
- Equipped with a spring-loaded backdraft damper and bird screen to keep nests and small animals on the outside
- Wall cap is made of 22 gauge CRCQ steel construction with a .025 natural aluminum finish for durability and long life
- Sold as 1 to a carton
The Broan 641 Wall Cap for 6” Round Duct for Range Hoods tops our list of the best wall vent cap for range hood due to its flexibility and efficiency. Not only is this wall cap affordable, but it’s also very reliable. It’s made of strong aluminum material and features button control with an excellent design. This wall cap vent for range hoods comes well equipped with a spring-loaded backdraft damper and bird screen that helps to keep nests and small animals on the outside. It has an overall size of 9-inch square, which shows on the surface, with a 5 ½ inch hood, as well as 1 ¼ inch long attachment collar for 6-inch round ductwork. However, it’s not for use with dryer venting.
The good thing about Broan 641 Wall Cap for 6” Round Duct for Range Hoods is that it’s made of 22 gauge CRCQ steel construction with a 0.025 natural aluminum finish. This strong construction and finish help to offer durability, which means it can serve for a longer period than you would expect. It’s also suitable for bath ventilation fans.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Works perfectly
- Excellent design
- Efficient
- Great look
Cons
- The tailpipe is wider than 6-inches
- The fit of the flap that keeps the cold air out of the house is somehow inefficient
- Flimsy gauge metal and seals of the cap
- Builder’s Best 084641 Heavy Gauge Wall Vent Hood
- Extremely Durable: This is a heavy duty 24 gauge mill finish aluminum wall vent hood with a spring loaded flapper (damper), which prevents back drafts.
- Riveted construction; does not use caulk.
- Features: Mouth opening exceeds pipe area for best airflow. Includes 4 mounting holes for secure connections.
- Ideal for kitchen wall vents.
- Quality made in the USA by Builder's Best, Inc. Builder's Best brand is a US registered trademark.
Although the Builder’s Best 084641 Heavy Gauge Wall Vent Hood has its fair share of drawdowns, its benefits are hard to ignore – and this is one thing that makes it one of the best wall vent caps for range hoods to consider.
It is a heavy-duty aluminum wall vent hood properly designed to use in the kitchen and bath fans, microwave venting, range hoods, and dryer exhaust. The advantage of this wall vent hood is that it’s made of 24 gauge aluminum, which is riveted together and not caulked. The hood features a spring-loaded damper, which helps to prevent any backdraft and offers you the best performance.
It also features a 6-inch diameter by a 6-inch long tail, which makes it perfect for range hood venting. The height of the Builder’s Best 084641 Heavy Gauge Wall Vent Hood is approximately 8.75 inches high, with a maximum pressure of 30 pounds per inch square. The width measures approximately 9.75 inches, while the upper-temperature rating is about 430 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pros
- Strong and sturdy
- Easy to install
- It offers value for money
- It offers warmth
- High-quality wall vent cap
Cons
- Flimsy
- The metal is thin and the damper isn’t sealed properly
- Not spring-loaded and no counterweight
- The spring doesn’t keep the flapper closed
- Lambro Ind. 3 ¼ x 10 Aluminum Wall Cap
- Overall sizing is 12-3/4" wide x 5-5/8" high. Duct fitting protrudes 4-7/8" from back of cap to allow proper fit to the ductwork (NOT for use with dryer venting)
- Equipped with a spring-loaded backdraft damper and bird screen to keep nests and small animals on the outside
- Wall cap is made of 24 gauge CRCQ steel construction with a black electrically-bonded epoxy finish for durability and long life
- Sold as 1 to a carton
The Lambro Ind. 3 ¼ x 10 Aluminum Wall Cap is lightweight and very easy to install. That means you won’t have to go through so much hassle during installation. When it comes to performance, you can fully rely on the best wall vent cap for range hood due to its flexibility and efficiency. It works perfectly and it’s actually even better than the steel model from Lambro Ind.
Another benefit of using this wall cap is that it doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. It’s also durable and if maintained and used properly, can serve you for a long period. It’s manufactured in the United States by Lambro, which is a brand also known for producing high-quality products.
The dimensions of the Lambro Ind. 3 ¼ x 10 Aluminum Wall Cap include 12.9”L x 5.68”W x 9.43”H. It’s a highly durable wall cap that weighs approximately 1.5 pounds, features a mill finish color, doesn’t require any batteries to function, offers good service and value for money, and it’s quite affordable.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Easy to install
- Works perfectly
- Requires less maintenance
Cons
- Low-quality
- Inadequate flapper seal
- It lacks a pest screen
- Ventline (V2111-11) Colonial White Horizontal Exterior Wall Vent
- Exterior Vent for Ventline Ducted Range Hoods
- Weatherproof outside vent features a lockable damper, heavy styrene construction and a 1-3/4 Inch inlet flange
- Rough opening is 3-3/4 Inch x 10-1/2 Inch
- Overall size 11-5/8 inch x 5-9/32 Inch
- Colonial White
From its design to its sturdiness, the Ventline (V2111-11) Colonial White Horizontal Exterior Wall Vent is ideal to consider mainly because it fits perfectly to wherever you want to install. Another benefit is that it’s easy to install this wall vent cap for range hood since it’s flexible and features a great design.
This exterior vent for Ventline ducted range hoods is weatherproof and also features a lockable damper. It’s constructed with heavy styrene and a 1 ¾ inch inlet flange. The rough opening is approximately 3 ¾ inches x 10 ½ inches. Its overall size is 11-5/8 inch x 5-9/32 inch. What’s more, it doesn’t fold and it features perfect dimensions.
The Ventline (V2111-11) Colonial White Horizontal Exterior Wall Vent features a colonial white color, although this may be an issue because you may order and receive one that is too white or one with a beige color. This is a major drawdown that has been experienced by several customers that have bought the product.
Pros
- Fits perfectly
- Easy to install
- Sturdy
- Great design
- Cheap and affordable
Cons
- Thin, flimsy construction
- It may come with color issues
- The vent may encounter issues after long use
- Vent-A-Hood VP555 12-Inch Round Wall Cap
- Wall mount liner
- Manufactured in United States
- Available in 12"
The Vent-A-Hood VP555 12-Inch Round Wall Cap is manufactured in the United States and features a heavy gauge. It’s constructed with high-quality materials and has a total size of 12-inches, which makes it perfect for use on the wall without straining too much. Additionally, installing it is easy due to its compact and flexible design that makes your work easier.
The weight of this wall cap also makes it ideal to use, plus its quality also makes it durable and efficient. Although it doesn’t come spring-loaded, gravity helps to keep it closed when there isn’t any air moving through it. Another thing you need to keep in mind is that it doesn’t feature any screen, but it works perfectly.
The damper of this vent cap for range hood also works well without sticking, and this is one of the reasons that make this product perfect to install in your home. The dampers within the ductwork are also designed to open easily to allow unrestricted, one-way airflow. Simply put, this is a high-quality, heavy-gauge vent that is built to offer you great performance and efficiency.
Pros
- It works well
- Easy installation
- Durable
- Heavy gauge
- Well built
- Good quality
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not energy-efficient
- It doesn’t “sit” flat on the surface
- It doesn’t come with spring or seal
- Nutone Broan 843BL Wall Cap
- Duct diameter: 6
- Manufactured in United States
- Model: 843BL
The Nutone Broan 843BL Wall Cap features a 6-inch round duct that offers convenience when it comes to using it. Manufactured in the United States, this wall vent cap is high-quality, sturdy, and comes in a great size considering its price. It also has a spring-loaded backdraft damper and bird screen with a black color, electrically-bonded epoxy finish.
However, it’s not intended for dryer vent usage. Another good thing about this best wall vent cap for range hood is that it’s lightweight, as it only weighs about 1.5 pounds and its dimensions are 1 x 1 x 1 inch. It’s made from aluminum material, which makes it rust-resistant, and features an LED light bulb.
It is certified frustration-free and doesn’t require any batteries to function. The LED light is 120V. It also comes with a mesh that prevents hornets and bees from making it their relaxing place or home. It’s also important to know that you’re supposed to paint the Nutone Broan 843BL Wall Cap first before the final installation. You can find a color close to the matching brick.
Pros
- Solid construction
- Fewer drafts
- Great size for its price
- Sturdy
- Spring-loaded damper
Cons
- It may be a pain to install
- Poor sealing
- The flapper doesn’t sit tightly when closed
- It doesn’t have a gasket
- The damper is too small to fit into the side holes of the vent
- Air King PWC6R Professional Hood Wall Cap
- 6-Inch diameter
- Made of Galvanized Steel
- Built in back draft damper
- 1 Year parts only warranty
The Air King PWC6R Professional Hood Wall Cap features a 6-inch diameter and it’s also made of galvanized steel, which makes it durable. It has a built-in backdraft damper and comes with a one-year parts-only warranty. The reason why this product is on our list of the best wall vent cap for range hood is that it easily exhausts air from your home using the 6-inch round ducting. It’s a wall cap that can easily match your system’s needs.
The dimensions of the Air King PWC6R Professional Hood Wall Cap are 16.8 x 9.8 x 9.5 inches, and a total weight of 3 pounds. Made of stainless steel, you can rest assured that this product will serve you properly for a longer period without having to worry too much.
It also comes with a built-in mount and doesn’t require any batteries to function. Unfortunately, the flapper isn’t spring-loaded and it also doesn’t have a screen. The weight of the magnet helps to keep the flapper shut when the fan is off. You should consider painting this vent before it’s mounted since it’s made from aluminum material.
Pros
- Good quality
- Works well
- Heavy gauge
- Easy to install
- Excellent design
- Spring-loaded
- It offers value for money
Cons
- Busted rivets
- It doesn’t sit closed
- Noisy damper
Conclusion
The process of buying the best wall vent cap for range hood can be long and tedious – but worth it. Our post has reviewed the best options to consider buying and offered you the right tips to avoid purchasing the wrong product.
However, if you have any questions or important information to add you can post them in the comment section below. Another alternative is to reach out through mail and I’ll be happy to respond to you.