When installing exhaust exhaust systems in the kitchen, various masking options for ventilation ducts are used. Their difference is manifested in a design suitable for each particular case and in the materials selected for these purposes. In preparation for work, attention is also paid to the dimensions of the masking box for the hood in the kitchen. It is important to deal with existing methods of concealing air ducts in advance, taking into account the fact that hoods are divided into classic and telescopic models by the technology of incorporating into a wall cabinet. Depending on this, a ventilation duct in the kitchen is selected.
Masking hoods
Before you hide the exhaust pipes in the kitchen, you should familiarize yourself with the existing types of built-in hoods. The classic model is simply mounted above the tile and has a fixed size, the telescopic model can be moved apart like an antenna, increasing its original length. In modern conditions, classic hoods mounted directly in a wall cabinet are most in demand. In this embodiment, it is important to provide such a camouflage design so that it does not interfere with the free outflow of air and fits well into the interiors of the kitchen space.
A feature of the telescopic option is the larger size of its components, whose height reaches 40 cm. Some users may need to hide the entire structure in hinged boxes or shelves, leaving only the control panel outside. The built-in telescopic hood works the same as a conventional hood, but to mask it, it will take more labor costs (material and time, including). But with idle ventilation, it will be almost impossible to detect it.
The installation instructions for telescopic hoods detail the required dimensions of cabinets or ducts and the free space in them. When connecting them to masked ventilation ducts, the main thing is not to disrupt the design of the kitchen. The simplest and most convenient approach to solving the problem is the use of plasterboard blank boxes for masking communications.
Calculation of parameters for the box
So that the kitchen exhaust ventilation is reliably hidden and does not spoil the interior of the room, it will be necessary to correctly calculate the parameters of the masking elements. The industry has mastered the production of products having a standard shape and size. If such data is available, it will be easier for the user to calculate the height, width and depth of the designed structure in relation to his kitchen.
Calculation of the optimum section
The calculation of the camouflage box is based on its internal section. The speed of movement of air masses along the channel at a fixed power of the exhaust unit (fan) depends on this parameter. The desired section is selected after the volume of air passed through the channel is determined. According to current standards and from the experience of operating similar systems for plastic boxes, the optimal speed is 3-7 meters per second.
The duct section is taken equal to or slightly larger than the same indicator for the exhaust duct pipe, the size of which is given in the passport for the unit. In operating modes without overloads, the requirements of the standards allow a slight decrease in the size (section) of the used box in comparison with the size of the outlet.
It is not recommended to install hoods of considerable power in small kitchens, which allows you to choose ducts with a smaller diameter. But in this case, a special adapter is required, which is also taken into account in the calculations.
In the General case, the cross-sectional area of the box is found by the formulaP = S * (M / N)where:
- S - cross-sectional area of the exhaust duct pipe;
- N - the volume of air pumped through it in the maximum operating mode (at maximum load);
- M - volume of pumped air in normal mode.
When calculating this indicator, it is important to remember that an error in the choice of the duct section to the larger side leads to a significant decrease in flow velocity and an increase in friction in natural ventilation systems. This has the following undesirable consequences:
- The load on ventilation equipment is increasing, ultimately leading to a sharp decrease in operating life and to additional energy costs.
- Due to the increase in resistance, the system performance decreases with a simultaneous decrease in the volumes of pumped air masses.
- Increases the likelihood of aerodynamic effects in the exhaust duct, in the presence of which the noise of work increases sharply.
- The pressure difference increases outside and inside the ventilation, which threatens the appearance of vibrations. This will require strengthening all mechanical fasteners and increasing the level of tightness.
For systems with forced ventilation, an increase in the cross-section of the duct above the norm will not affect the operating modes, but will lead to unjustified monetary costs. In addition, for the arrangement of ventilation ducts of significant dimensions, additional efforts will be required during their installation and integration into the interior of kitchen facilities.
Shape and size
Plastic boxes for hiding elements of forced ventilation, as a rule, have a rectangular or rounded shape. The second option is preferable in that for the same area the circle has the smallest length (if compared with other sections). To minimize the resistance of the inner walls of the box, a circle is also preferred. Plastic boxes with a diameter of 80, 100, 125 and 150 mm with corresponding areas of 50.3, 78.5, 122.7 and 176.7 square meters are widely represented on the domestic market. cm.
Rectangular channels are attractive in that they fit more easily into the interior of any kitchen. They are easily placed in niches, often found above cabinets, as well as under suspended or suspended ceilings. Boxes with sizes 110x55, 120x60, 204x60 mm and areas of 60.5, 72.0 and 122.4 square meters, respectively, are in great demand. see. If necessary, you can always find larger items. They are represented by round-shaped boxes with a diameter of 200 mm and rectangular samples with sizes from 220x90 mm.
The use of various materials
The hood for the hood is made of a wide variety of materials. To mask pipes, metal billets, modern plastics, as well as wood and plasterboard sheets (or MDV) are used. When choosing the right material, it should be noted that the masking design is used not only for decorative purposes. At the same time, it provides a significant reduction in noise from a running electric motor. In addition, the selected structures must satisfy the following requirements:
- pleasant aesthetic appearance;
- resistance to changes in moisture and temperature;
- resistance to chemical influences and ultraviolet radiation;
- ease of cleaning from dust, grease and other contaminants.
Plastic constructions are lightweight and assemble very quickly.At the same time, the material itself is well processed, but has a number of disadvantages: it fades over time, and easily undergoes mechanical deformations.
Boxes made of stainless steel attract users' attention with their durability and original design, which does not change at all over time. The disadvantages of this material include significant weight and high price.
MDV and drywall sheets are easy to install and not very expensive materials. Most consumers choose them for self-installation of masking structures.
After pre-processing the surfaces, wood boxes harmoniously combine with the front panels of a kitchen set made under a tree.
Box installation procedure
To hide the pipe from the hood in the kitchen, you need to familiarize yourself with the specifics of the upcoming work. The features of the arrangement of masking boxes include the inconvenience of operations, the venue of which is shifted to the ceiling area. It will be required to comply with the norms established by SNiP for removal from other communications, as well as fire safety requirements. As an example, installation of the box body based on drywall blanks will be considered.
Installation work begins with measuring the wiring of the ducts themselves, followed by a sketch. After that, the following operations are carried out:
- Using a ruler and a building level, appropriate marks are made on the wall in the laying zone.
- On wall and ceiling surfaces, dowels are fixed with guide profiles, on which vertical segments are later fixed.
- The corrugation sleeves of the masked duct are fixed in the openings of the hood and the ventilation duct.
- According to previously prepared profiles, the finished frame is sheathed with plasterboard sheets.
With independent work, errors are possible, which are most often made when laying air ducts based on corrugation or plastic. During their installation, a violation of the requirement is possible, according to which the channel cross-section must coincide or exceed the area of the exhaust outlet pipe. This is primarily paid attention to when buying a corrugation sleeve and a sample of exhaust equipment. Another common mistake is the incorrect installation of the corrugated pipe, which should be fully extended after installation. In addition, they try to make the size of its bends smaller than the diameter of the corrugation itself, and when laying a pipeline based on plastic, the angles of the bends become dull.
Ventilation riser recovery
Errors made during the independent arrangement of the tap channel or riser in the kitchen with a ventilation duct have to be corrected one way or another. For a user who has become familiar with the principle of operation and the arrangement of air ducts, such restoration will not cause special difficulties. When carrying out these works, it is important to consider the following points:
- Ventilation ducts are made only round or square.
- During the reconstruction, additional bends are made of corrugated pipe or by dividing the main channel using foam blocks.
- The estimated cost includes the cost of foam blocks, as well as plasterboard blanks, corrugations and building consumables.
For restoration of the air duct in the kitchen with subsequent masking, gypsum-based stoves or foam blocks are optimally suited.
