Planning a Range and Range Hood Combo for a New Build or Remodel (2026 Checklist)
Key Takeaways
- Choose the range first – Its fuel type, width, and total BTU drive every other decision in your kitchen rough-in.
- Size the hood 6 inches wider than the range – 3 inches of overhang on each side gives you full smoke capture.
- Make the make-up air call before drywall – Required above 400 CFM in many areas; far cheaper to rough in than retrofit.
- Plan duct path while walls are open – Short, straight runs sized to the hood's CFM make a strong hood perform like one.
- Order mid-project, not at the end – Appliances are long-lead items; buying as a combo locks specs and saves 10%.
Table of Contents
- Step 1: Choose the Range First
- Step 2: Size the Hood to the Range
- Step 3: Lock In CFM and Make-Up Air
- Step 4: Plan the Duct Path
- Step 5: Set Clearance and Mounting Height
- Step 6: Coordinate Finish Across the Kitchen
- Step 7: Order With Lead Times in Mind
- The One-Page Checklist
- For Builders, Designers, and Contractors
- FAQ
Bottom Line: The range and hood are one of the few kitchen decisions that touch framing, electrical, gas, ducting, and roofing all at once so they belong on your plans early, not picked out at the end. This checklist walks you through every decision in order, so your combo is sized, vented, and roughed-in correctly the first time. Buying it as a matched combo keeps the specs consistent and saves you 10%.
Most range-and-hood regret traces back to one thing: the appliances were chosen after the walls were up. The duct path was an afterthought, the hood turned out underpowered for the range, or there was no plan for make-up air. On a new build or a gut remodel, you have the rare chance to do it in the right order. Here's that order.
Before you start, the combo pairing guide explains the why behind each spec below; this checklist is the when.
Step 1: Choose the Range First
Your range sets the requirements for the hood, the gas line, the electrical, and the venting. Decide early:
- Fuel type: gas, dual-fuel, or electric/induction. This determines your gas line and electrical rough-in.
- Width: 30", 36", or 48". This sets your cabinet opening and your hood width.
- Total BTU output (for gas): this number determines the CFM your hood needs and whether make-up air is required.
Pick the range, and most of the hood's specs fall out of it automatically. Browse options on the bundle builder so you can match as you go.
Step 2: Size the Hood to the Range
The rule: the hood should be wider than the range, ideally 6 inches wider, or 3 inches of overhang per side.
| Range Width | Hood Width to Spec |
|---|---|
| 24" | 30" |
| 30" | 36" |
| 36" | 42" |
| 48" | 54"-60" |
Note this on your plans now, because the hood width affects your upper-cabinet layout and the framing above the cooktop. Full details in the size guide.
Step 3: Lock In CFM & Decide on Make-Up Air
Match airflow to the range: roughly 100 CFM per 10,000 BTUs for gas, or about 100 CFM per linear foot for electric/induction. (How to calculate CFM.)
Then make the make-up air call before drywall:
- Above ~400 CFM, many local codes require a make-up air system to replace exhausted air and prevent negative pressure.
- This is far cheaper to rough in during construction than to retrofit later. Confirm the requirement with your contractor or building inspector and plan the intake now. (How make-up air works.)
Step 4: Plan the Duct Path While the Walls Are Open
Ducted venting outperforms ductless for almost any serious range, and a new build is the ideal time to run it cleanly. (Ducted vs. ductless.)
- Keep the run short and straight. Long runs and sharp bends choke airflow, making a strong hood perform like a weak one.
- Size the duct to the hood's CFM, not the other way around.
- Plan the exterior termination wall cap or roof cap into the build, not as a patch afterward.
Step 5: Set Clearance and Mounting Height
Note the mounting height on your elevation drawings so cabinets, backsplash, and any wall hood land correctly:
- Gas: 30-36 inches above the cooktop.
- Electric / induction: 28-36 inches.
- Standard: 30 inches is the common default.
Too low is a heat and fire risk; too high lets smoke escape before it's captured.
Step 6: Coordinate Finish Across the Kitchen
Decide on your finish: stainless, matte black, or glossy white, and carry it across the range and hood so they read as one. On a new build, this also coordinates with cabinet hardware and other fixtures, so settle it before you order anything.
Step 7: Order With Lead Times in Mind
Appliances are one of the longer-lead items in a build, and they're needed near the end, but ordering late is a classic way to stall a project.
- Confirm availability and ETAs early. Proline keeps many models in stock for fast delivery, but it's worth verifying for your exact combo.
- Inspect on arrival for shipping damage so any issue is caught before install day.
- Buy as a combo to keep specs consistent and capture the 10% discount. See why bundling pays off.
The One-Page Checklist
| # | Decision | Settle It By |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Range fuel, width, total BTU | Before rough-in |
| 2 | Hood width (range + 6") | Before cabinet layout |
| 3 | CFM target | Before rough-in |
| 4 | Make-up air (if >400 CFM) | Before drywall |
| 5 | Duct path + termination | Before drywall |
| 6 | Clearance / mounting height | Elevation drawings |
| 7 | Finish across appliances | Before ordering |
| 8 | Order + confirm ETA | Mid-project, not end |
For Builders, Designers, and Contractors
If you spec kitchens for clients, matched combos cut your coordination work and reduce callbacks from undersized ventilation. Proline's Proline Pro program offers trade pricing and support for contractors, builders, designers, and dealers. Apply here. Every hood carries a 3-year limited warranty with U.S.-based support.
FAQ
When should I choose the range and hood in a new build?
Early before rough-in. The range's fuel type, width, and BTU output drive your gas, electrical, ducting, and make-up air requirements, all of which are far cheaper to plan than to retrofit.
Do I need make-up air for a new construction kitchen?
Often, if your hood exceeds 400 CFM, it's much cheaper to rough in during the build. Confirm the exact requirement with your contractor or local building inspector.
What's the right duct size for my range hood?
Size it to the hood's CFM and keep the run short and straight. Undersized or twisty ductwork chokes airflow and undercuts a powerful hood.
Should I buy the range and hood separately or as a combo for a remodel?
A combo keeps the specs consistent, removes the risk of a mismatch, and saves about 10%, ideal when you're already buying both for a remodel or build.
Plan Your Combo the Right Way
Start with Build Your Own Bundle to match a range and hood to your plans, browse 2-piece packages, or see our best combos for 2026. Working on a client project? Proline's U.S.-based team and Proline Pro program are here to help.
Start your planning with a matched combo. Build your own bundle or browse curated 2-piece packages and save 10%.
Build Your Own Bundle Shop 2-Piece PackagesProline offers free shipping on every order across the United States. Working on a new build or remodel? Call us at (801) 973-3959 Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM MST for spec help.
