You may think, “How to Hide Kitchen Vent Pipe?” Well, if you have a home improvement project underway, you might not want people walking through your house knowing about it. Hiding your pipe may also prevent mold from growing inside your walls.
A kitchen vent pipe normally runs from the roof to the floor and helps drain moisture out of the airflow ducts or chimney. There are two ways to hide these pipes using an exterior or interior cover plate. If you choose the former option, you’ll need to drill holes into the wall to expose them. If you decide to go with the latter option, you can install a simple cabinet door to conceal the vents.
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How to Hide Kitchen Vent Pipes with Easy Methods
If you want to hide a kitchen vent pipe, you can either move it out of sight (which might not be practical) or you can disguise it with something else. For example, if you’re using a standard vent hood pipe, you could add a small plant pot to cover it up. Or, you could paint it black, which will make it blend in better.
Using a Range Hood Cover to Hide Vent Pipes
The first option is to simply draw attention away from the range hood exhaust pipe by covering it with a range hood cover. This will hide the pipes from view and keep them out of sight.
Other Things and Accessories to Hide Your Vent Pipe in the Kitchen
If you want to hide the vent pipe, you can take advantage of its functionality. For example, if you have a gas stove, you can install a vent pipe at the top of the oven so that hot air rises out of the oven. This will keep the kitchen from smelling like a bakery.
Use soffits or columns.
The most straightforward approach to concealing a kitchen vent hood is to conceal it within a soffit or a column. This will not only disguise the pipe, but it will also provide a nice aesthetic improvement to your kitchen. Build a soffit by wrapping boards around three sides of the pipe and connecting them to the wall. You can do this with wood or drywall, depending on your kitchen style.
Once you’ve boxed in the pipe, paint or stain the box to match the rest of your cabinets. Another option for concealing a kitchen hood pipe is to buy a prefabricated column with a diameter slightly larger than the vent pipe. This is like a soffit. However, it is rounded rather than rectangular.
Installing False Cabinets
If you want to hide the pipes, you can install false cabinets above them. This will allow you to see the pipes through the doors of the cabinet, but they won’t be visible from the inside of the room.
Depending on the length of the pipe and how it’s oriented on the wall, you might hide it behind a false cabinet. Prefabricated, backless cabinets that match or nearly resemble your existing cabinets are available from most kitchen design stores and building facilities, or you can create your own. Cut a hole in the top and bottom of the cabinet to allow the pipe to pass through.
Measure the length of the pipe and cut two pieces of wood to the same size. Drill two holes in each piece, one for each end of the pipe. Glue or screw the pieces together at one end to form a T shape with a 90-degree bend in it.
Make these holes at least an inch bigger than the pipe’s diameter. Another alternative is to increase the height of your cabinets along the wall where the pipe is positioned. You’ve not only hidden the unsightly pipe, but you’ve also added it to your storage space.
Install a Drop Ceiling
If you would rather not have your kitchen vent pipe on display, you can install a drop ceiling to hide it. This will add some visual interest to the room, but make no changes to the plumbing.
Drop ceilings comprise tiles suspended from the actual ceiling. They are available in many styles and finishes, and after installation, you won’t even need to have the tile painted.
There are two main types of drop ceiling:
Fiberglass reinforced panels (FRP):
These are lightweight and easy to install. We usually use FRP when the tiles will be exposed to moisture or chemicals. We often find FRP in bathrooms and kitchens.
Acoustical panels:
This type of panel has fiberglass inside it that helps absorb sound, which makes acoustical panels ideal for rooms where noise levels need to be reduced, such as home theaters or offices.
Hide behind panels and crown molding.
The best way to hide a kitchen vent pipe is to simply place a panel behind it. This will not only hide the pipe, but it will also add some visual interest to your kitchen. If you want to take this idea one step further, consider adding crown molding around the perimeter of the wall. This will also give your kitchen a finished look.
Use Truss Joist IBeams
The most common way to hide a kitchen vent pipe is to draw attention away from it. If you’re looking to hide your kitchen vent pipe, try using Truss Joist I-beams. These are the beams that are typically used for flooring and roofing. You can cut them to the same size and length as your existing ceiling joists, and you can paint them to match any color scheme.
To install them, you’ll need to remove a section of drywall from above your kitchen cupboards, remove any existing joists that are in the way, and nail up your new I-beams in their place. You can now cover your kitchen vent pipes!
Use Paint to Cover the Kitchen Vent Pipe
The first option is to paint the inside of the vent pipe. This will hide the pipe from view, but it won’t prevent moisture from condensing on the surface. If you want to keep the pipe from being visible, you might try painting the exterior of the pipe instead.
Issues With Bulkhead
Bulkheads’ most prevalent flaw is that they don’t fit well. You might not be able to find one that fits a huge opening in your wall. Another issue is that some bulkheads are inadequately sized. They won’t give enough insulation, so you’ll have to replace them sooner rather than later.
Installing a bulkhead or drywall box around the perimeter of your kitchen above the cabinets was once a standard solution for hiding vent pipes in a kitchen. The issue with this is that it is big, restricts your design possibilities, and makes your kitchen appear antiquated, regardless of how modern your design features are.
When determining whether or not to construct a bulkhead over your pipes, keep these factors in mind. Take into account the pipe’s condition as well. If the pipe is old, rusty, or damaged, replacing it might improve its appearance, especially if your kitchen has stainless appliances. Instead of sticking out like a sore thumb, a gleaming new pipe can often complement these architectural aspects.
Use Wall Chases
Some homeowners want to put all the vents in their homes behind closed doors. One of the easiest ways to hide a kitchen vent pipe is to put it in a wall chase. Wall chases are frames made of wood or metal that run vertically inside walls, and they’re usually used to hide plumbing pipes or electrical wiring. They can be built as part of a new construction or added as part of a remodeling project.
To build a wall chase, open up the wall where you want the chase to cut out the studs, so there’s space for it. Then you install either wood framing or metal framing on both sides of the wall, with a space between them the size of your chase, and finish by closing up the walls around your chase.
The chase is then used to cover up an exposed kitchen vent pipe, which is typically installed in parallel with the ductwork that runs from your kitchen fan to your roof. The advantage of using wall chases for hiding vent pipes is that, after installation, they blend in with the rest of your walls. However, because this is a major construction project, hire a professional to help with building wall chases to hide vent pipes.
Installing Tray Ceilings
The air duct in your kitchen is a necessity, but the vent pipe that sticks out of your ceiling might not be the most attractive feature in your kitchen. If you’re considering installing a tray ceiling, consider hiding the pipe rather than removing it altogether.
Installing a tray ceiling is a relatively inexpensive project and can add depth and dimension to your kitchen, but if you’re working with an exposed vent pipe, arranging the beams and panels of wood around it can be challenging. Instead, consider installing a paneled section of the ceiling directly over the pipe, which will hide it from view and allow you to remove it entirely. You should make the panel of plywood or sheetrock and cut it to fit over the top of the pipe. It should be painted or stained to match the rest of the ceiling before being installed to ensure that no seams are visible when it’s hung in place.
Use false beams.
If you want to hide a kitchen ventilation pipe, try using false beams. This technique involves creating a fake beam that looks like a real one. If someone were to walk into your small kitchen and see this fake beam, they would assume that the pipe was behind it. It’s a great way to disguise a kitchen ventilation pipe because it doesn’t require any major construction projects.
Materials used for the box kitchen vent pipe
We’re going to be building this project completely off-site, which means you’ll need a lot of materials. First, you’ll need a cardboard box large enough to fit your vent pipe. You can find these at any home or hardware store, or you can easily make your own.
Next, you’ll need a piece of wood thick enough to fit inside the box. Depending on the size of your vent pipe, this may be the same size as the box itself. Finally, you’ll need a drill, screws, nails, and a hammer.
Install a plastic box for the kitchen vent.
We noticed that you have a kitchen vent pipe. We’ve got many people who have the same problem, so this article is to show you how to install a plastic box for your kitchen vent pipe.
This is the easiest of the stack of hacks to try. All you’ll have to do is cut a hole in the top of your cardboard box large enough for your vent pipe to pass through. Then, simply screw in a plastic or PVC box through the hole. That’s it! The box will act as both a vent pipe cover and a storage box.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- A plastic box for your kitchen vent pipe
- A kitchen vent pipe
- A hacksaw, preferably one that can cut through metal or wood,
- Two screws
- A screwdriver
First, get the plastic box for your kitchen vent pipe. Make sure it’s big enough to fit your kitchen vent pipe and that it has little holes in it so that air can escape from the box when you put the two together. Next, get your saw and cut open an even wider hole in the wall where your kitchen vent pipe goes. Disconnect everything inside the hole and take out the entire thing. Stick the plastic box into the hole and screw it in with the screws (or coins if you’re using those). Replace everything on the inside of the hole. Now test everything out! If it works, great! If not, try again until it works.
A wooden pipe cover
If the plastic boxes are a bit too flimsy for your tastes, these wooden pipe covers are a great alternative. Just as easy to build as the plastic box, we can screw this wooden cover onto your vent pipe to conceal it.
The only difference is that the wooden cover will naturally warp and shrink over time, which means it’ll become slightly smaller. This will be very obvious, so it’s best to hide your vent pipe in a place where it’s easy to see.
Metal box kitchen vent pipe practicality and durability
For durability, it’s hard to beat using a metal box for your kitchen vent. It’s going to stay hidden in one spot, which means it’s less likely to get damaged. It’s also going to be harder for moisture to seep into it, as there’s no wood covering it.
Metal vent pipe covers are pricier than plastic covers, but they’re perfect for outdoor use. If you live in an area with cold winters, outdoor metal vent covers are the way to go. They’ll keep your vent pipe protected all winter long.
Running the pipe through the ceiling or floor and into the attic or basement
If you choose to run your vent pipe through the ceiling or the walls, you’ll have to cover it. This is especially important if you’re running along pipe through the house. Otherwise, it looks kind of like an electrical wire. But you don’t have to just cover the pipe with a board or a piece of cardboard. You can also use insulation or panels to hide it.
There are a few different ways to do this. One is to use panels that are made to be used with ductwork. These are usually made of steel and are designed to be painted or glossed with a matching color. Or you can use panels made specifically for hiding ductwork.
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Hide Your Kitchen Vent Pipe with These 10 Clever Hacks
Do you hate having to keep your kitchen exhaust pipe covered at all times? This is because it’s a major fire hazard. But do not worry—we’ve got some simple, clever hacks that can help you hide your vent pipe. These tips will not only make it easier to conceal, but they’ll also keep you and your family safe. And the best part? Most of these DIY ideas are very inexpensive! Here are some of our favorite tips.
Kitchen vent pipes are often a major eyesore. But with these clever hacks, you can hide your kitchen vent pipe from view. We all know that there’s nothing more off-putting than a clunky, ugly vent pipe in your kitchen. However, with these clever hacks, you can hide your kitchen vent pipe from view and make it less of an eyesore.
1. Paint Your Kitchen Vent Pipe
If you’re looking for a simple, cheap, and easy way to conceal your vent pipe, try painting it! Paint your vent pipe the same color as your walls, and it will be virtually unnoticeable.
This is a talented hack for a couple of reasons. The vast majority of home insurance policies will cover walls painted the same color as the rest of the house. So not only will you be keeping your vent pipe covered, but you’ll also save money by not having to paint your walls.
Painting your vent pipe will reduce your chances of it catching fire. One of the main reasons ducts are so dangerous is because they’re typically kept covered and out of sight. By painting yours, you’ll make it far less likely that it will ever happen.
2. Hide Your Kitchen Vent Pipe With Baskets
Baskets can hide almost anything, so why not your kitchen vent pipe? All you have to do is find a basket with a lid, and you’re set! With one of these hanging out in your kitchen, all eyes will be on your beautiful basket, not on your dirty vent pipe.
Not only will this make hiding your vent pipe much easier, but it will also save you a lot of space. Most people don’t realize how much space kitchen vents take up, but if you keep your vent pipe inside a basket, you’ll get a lot of use out of it. This is because most kitchens only have enough space for one vent. So try to keep the basket in the same spot each time you use it!
3. Hide Your Kitchen Vent Pipe With Curtains
Curtains are one of the most versatile items you can use to hide your vent pipe. We can hang them from almost any place in your home, including your ceiling.
First, measure the height of your ceiling above your kitchen vent. Ideally, you want the top of your curtains to be at least an inch or two below this height. This will provide you with the best coverage.
Next, find a curtain that fits the bill. You don’t have to go with the most expensive model; in fact, you don’t even have to go with curtains at all. You can use t-shirts, sheets, or anything else that’s large enough to cover your vent pipe.
Now, you want to hang your curtain from a hook on your ceiling. This is so that you can easily remove your curtain when you’re done using it. Just make sure that the curtain isn’t blocking any light from your ceiling fixture when it’s down. This can create a shadow that could cast a shadow on your stovetop or range.
4. Hide Your Kitchen Vent Pipe With Plant Pot Hangers
This is one of those classic houseware hacks everyone should know about. Yes, we’re talking about the humble plant pot hanger. Plants in the kitchen might help to decorate it.
If kitchen vents are a nuisance to your kitchen decor, you can easily make all the vents inside the kitchen design a lovely custom touch with careful planning and attention.
You can use plant pot hangers to hide your vent pipe in a couple of ways. First, you can just hang the plant pot hanger from the ceiling where your vent pipe is located. This will block any light from coming through your ceiling while allowing the plant pot to hang down and conceal your vent exhaust pipe.
The second way you can hide your vent pipe with plant pot hangers is to use them as plant stands. This will require a little more work, but it can save you a lot of space.
5. Hide Your Kitchen Vent Pipe With Bar Stools
You may have heard about the bar stool hack before, but we’re convinced that you’ve never seen it done quite like this.
Simply place a stool on its back on an open shelf and use some old towels to hide your kitchen vent pipe.
This is a talented hack for any open floor plan or kitchen with high ceilings. Not only will it keep your vent pipe out of sight, but it will also keep crumbs and spills off the floor.
6. Hide Your Kitchen Vent Pipe With Artwork
Hiding your kitchen vent pipe with artwork is one of our favorite hacks because it’s so versatile. All you need to do is find a decorative piece that you can use to cover your vent pipe.
There are tons of different options here. For example, you can look for bowls and planters that match your decor. You can even use faux plants to add some greenery and protect your vent pipe.
You can also use a canvas to create your own artwork. This is a great option for those who enjoy DIY projects.
7. Hide Your Kitchen Vent Pipe With Decorations
This tip is for those of you who want to use a DIY project to conceal your vent pipe. We particularly like the idea of using plant pot hangers. This is because they’re so versatile. You can use them to store your herbs and veggies, or you can use them to hang a pot from.
You can also use plant pot hangers in your living room or dining room. Simply hang a pot or two from the ceiling and you have yourself a green wall! This is a great way to add a little greenery and fresh air to your home without breaking the bank.
8. Hide Your Kitchen Vent Pipe With a Small Table.
This is one of our favorite kitchen hacks because it’s so easy and inexpensive. All you need is some wood, a nail, and a hammer.
Simply nail a piece of wood to the underside of a cabinet or the underside of a cabinet on a lower shelf. This will keep your kitchen vent pipe hidden.
You can also use this hack in your pantry or even your garage. If you have an area, that’s hard to access, this could be a splendid solution for keeping your vent pipe covered.
9. Cover Your Kitchen Vent Pipe With Plastic Wrap
If you’re looking for a quick and easy hack that will hide your kitchen vent pipe, this is it!
All you have to do is place a piece of plastic wrap over your vent pipe. This will prevent crumbs and spills from building up on your vent pipe.
We especially like this hack for those who have wooden cabinets or countertops. This will help prevent spills and crumbs from damaging your kitchen cabinets.
10. Installing a range hood vent over the stove will conceal the pipe.
If you plan to use your stove for other cooking appliances like a grill or a microwave, you’ll definitely want to install a vent hood. This will help get rid of the cooking odors and let you use the stove without drawing too much attention to it. But installing a vent hood also comes with a few caveats, namely concealing your air duct pipe.
Luckily, a lot of range hood manufacturers make kits that include a pipe cover. This means that you don’t have to worry about finding one on your own, and you can simply install the hood. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of some of the best vent hoods on the market.
Other Hacks for Concealing Your Vent Pipe
Here are some other tips that will help you conceal your kitchen vent pipe.
The first one is to make sure that your exhaust duct pipe is completely covered. This will prevent anything from falling onto your surface.
The next thing to do is to keep the cooking area around your vent pipe clean. This will prevent the buildup of stains and grime.
If you have a glass-top stove or a gas stove, consider getting a cover for your vent pipe. This will make it much easier to cover your air vents.
- Use a flower pot to conceal the vent pipe.
- Use a plant as a disguise for the vent pipe.
- Cover the top of the vent pipe with an umbrella. If it rains, you’ll have to move the umbrella, but otherwise, this is a really easy solution that’s also super effective!
- If you have an outside space, use an outdoor rug or carpet to conceal the vent pipe on your balcony, patio, or deck. You can even get one that looks like grass and make it look like it’s growing out of the ground.
- Get creative with your landscape design and plant flowers around the base of your vent pipe so it looks intentional (or at least not like an eyesore).
- If you’re handy with tools, use a shower curtain rod and some fabric to cover up your vent pipe in a way that looks nice and doesn’t cost too much money. This hack is especially good if you’re trying to conceal a white PVC pipe that’s sticking out from underneath your sink!
- Another talented hack is to use some kind of decorative fabric over the top of your vent pipe; this allows you to hide it while still being able to see what’s going on below!
- Plant vines that can be allowed to drape over the vent pipe. Build a trellis for growing ivy or another climbing plant to cover the vent pipe.
- Use a multicolor LED light to draw attention away from the pipe.
- Put up some kind of cage or fence around it to make it look like a decorative feature.
- Turn it into an art installation.
- Drape it with a scarf or shawl.
- Build a brick wall around it that includes an opening for the vent pipe.
- Cover your vent pipe with a simple wooden pipe cover.
- Rig up a homemade curtain to conceal your kitchen vent pipe.
What are the cons of a kitchen vent pipe?
When you are ready to install a kitchen vent pipe, you will want to do your research. There are many pros to installing a kitchen vent pipe, but there are also several cons.
- One con to having a kitchen vent pipe is that the equipment can be expensive. Some of the most affordable options can cost over $100, and they may not have all the features that you really need. With more expensive options, you may have better control over the ventilation in your kitchen, and you may get rid of more smoke and odors.
- Another con is that it can take time to find a pipe that works well with your current stove setup. If you do not connect your stove properly, or if there are issues with the current piping in your house, then you may need to do some renovations before you can install the new pipe, or before you can even use it effectively.
- Cooking with a pilot light is one of the most common ways for a kitchen vent pipe to get damaged. This is normally because the vent pipe is left uncovered, or it’s covered with a paper or plastic cover. Because of the open flame, it constantly exposes the vent pipe to high temperatures. This can cause the vent pipe to warp or melt. Eventually, it could lead to a fire.
- The worst part is that it’s very difficult to detect a damaged vent pipe until it’s too late. That’s why it’s so important to keep your vent pipe covered at all times. It’s also very important to keep your kitchen vent pipe clear of any large debris. Anything that’s blocking your vent pipe is increasing your risk of a fire.
While there are some cons to having a kitchen vent pipe, there are also many pros that make it worth considering.
Cover Up! Final Thoughts
You’ve probably been told before to keep your kitchen vent pipe covered at all times, and we didn’t want you to worry about it. The only problem is, it’s difficult to do. Especially if you don’t want to constantly cover it up. Luckily, we’ve got a few tips to help you hide your vent pipe. The best part? They’re all very cheap and easy to do.
Keeping your vent pipe covered is a great way to keep your kitchen safe. These hacks can help you do this and make your kitchen look beautiful at the same time. Plus, they’re cheap and easy to do!
Now that you know how to hide your kitchen vent pipe, rethink that decision. After all, open fireplaces, open ovens, and open burners are commonly used in homes. These are all major fire hazards.
So, make sure that you have a fire extinguisher and a fire alarm nearby. If there’s ever a fire in your home, you’ll want to get it under control as soon as possible.
