How To Build A Hood With Corbels

Hoods can add such an statement to a kitchen. Depending on the style, they can cater to any home design. I built my hood with corbels to add a touch of old world charm. Either way, venting hoods can be a lovely addition to any kitchen. 

Types of Ventilation Systems

There are two types of ventilation systems: recirculating and outdoor venting. A recirculating hood will take the smoke from your cooktop, filter it, and recirculate it back into your home. That is what I’m using. Outdoor venting hoods will take the smoke, move it through a duct and vent it to the outside of your home. I live in an HOA neighborhood with rules about what I can/can not do to the outside of my home. I am not able to have a vent on the outside of my house, which is why I went with the recirculating option. 

 

If you have a outdoor venting system, build your frames around the duct. If you install a recirculating hood, read the manufacture’s instructions on installation height and plan your frames accordingly. Attach your ventilation system to the frame. 

Framing

I started out by building 4 frames. These frames are built with 2x4s and screwed together with 2 1/2 in screws. I wanted my hood to be skinnier at the top, and then flare out at the bottom. The top two frames are the same length (30in long), and the bottom two frames are 8in longer. The bottom frame is also about 6in wider than the top two. I measured the bottom frame to exactly fit the width of my ventilation system.  

 

After you’ve assembled the frames, screw all of the frames into the studs of your wall. These frames are heavy, and need to be supported generously by the wall studs. The bottom two frames are sitting one right on top of the other. This will give me a nice flat surface at the bottom of the hood.  

In order to create the curve that I wanted, I used 1in strips of MDF. I screwed them into the top two frames and then nailed them to the edge of the third frame. Because MDF has a slight bend to it, this allows the hood to have a sloping effect. 

Covering the Frames and Painting

Then, I cut out a sheet of HDF and used a nail gun to attach it to the frame. Drywall or 1/4in plywood would also work well for this step. It was difficult getting the edges to line up, so I recommend cutting your pieces slightly larger, and then using a multi tool to cut down to size once it’s attached to the studs. Fill any gaps with joint compound. 

For a modern looking hood, feel free to stop here. I primed my hood with Kiltz All purpose primer and then painted with Valspar’s Venetian Plaster. The venetian plaster was a little tricky to use around the corbels, but it was great on the straighter parts of the hood. 

Corbels

Corbels have been used for thousands of years as both structural and decorative elements. I love hoods with corbles, it gives an old world charm and really adds to the look I was going for in the kitchen.

 

 

I started by drawing out the shape I wanted for the corbel on paper. I went through a few iterations before landing on the shape I wanted. Then, I traced my paper corbel onto 1/4in plywood and cut it out with a jigsaw. Next, I cut out 4 identical corbel shapes. 

 

Cut 1×2 blocks into 3.5in studs and use a nail gun to attach them in between two of the corbel shapes. In the second photo, you can see that I inset the studs by 1/2in. Leaving this space will allow me to easily lay a piece of drywall in between the two corbel shapes. 

Cut 3.5in strips of drywall and score the back so that the drywall curves into the shape of the corbel. Attach the drywall to the studs in the corbel with drywall screws. 

 

Use layers of joint compound to fill in the cracks of the drywall and create and smooth, rounded surface. This will take a few coats of joint compound with sanding in between. 

Attach more 3.5in studs to the wall where the corbel will go and screw or nail the corbel into the studs. 

Fill places where wood meets wood with wood filler and places where wood meets wall/drywall with joint compound. 

 

I painted my hood with Kiltz All Purpose primer and then Valspar venetian plaster in white. To be honest, the venetian plaster was a little tricky to manipulate around the curves. I might opt for a roman clay next time.   

DIY Home Office Makeover

April 22, 2024 No Comments

Blue Floral Office Makeover This office makeover includes a little bit of everything. I built bookshelves and window seat, sourced a vintage desk, added wallpaper,

Read More »

What is Bookshelf Wealth?

January 4, 2024 No Comments

What is Bookshelf Wealth? I recently came across this term while scrolling TikTok and it stopped me in my tracks. Interior design styles are constantly

Read More »
Facebook Instagram Pinterest