A kitchen’s most important area is where the cooking happens, the stove top and chimney. While cooking a lot of smoke, food smells, and grease rises which is extracted by a kitchen chimney’s fan and filter? If the chimney is not installed properly it can lead to a pollution and health hazard.

Hence it’s essential to take proper care while installing the ventilation system and chimney in the kitchen.

The kitchen chimneys can be divided into ducted and ductless chimneys. Ducted chimneys release the stale air outdoors through a duct while ductless chimneys pass the stale air through charcoal filters and the purified air is reverted into the kitchen. Ducted chimneys are favoured more for Indian cooking as there is a lot of frying and masala used.

When there is no space for ducts to be fixed, ductless chimneys are installed. There are various chimney models – under cabinet kitchen chimneys, kitchen chimneys which can be mounted on the wall or ceiling, etc. These models can be chosen based on the kitchen’s design or the homeowner’s wish.

The kitchen chimney should be an important consideration while renovating a kitchen. Here are a few things you should know regarding a new chimney installation –

Size

---

The standard width of ducted chimneys is around 60 to 90 cm. For a stovetop having 2-4 burners, a 60 cm wide chimney is enough while for a stovetop with 3-5 burners, chimney with 90 cm width is recommended. The size of a chimney must be of a bigger or same size as the cook top as only then are all the fumes extracted properly.

Chimney filter

---

There are 2 kinds of chimney filters available – cassette and baffle. A cassette filter has a layered metal mesh to collect the pollutants of the kitchen, these are released through either a duct or a PVC pipe. This filter, however, clogs up sometimes and its effectiveness lessens over time. A baffle filter has alternating steel and aluminium layers which change the airflow direction. This filter can separate grease from smoke and does not clog up. Filters are only available in ductless chimneys; they demand a lot of maintenance and need to be replaced regularly.

Suction Power

---

The suction power of a chimney is an important factor; it is measured in cubic meters per hour. For the Indian style of cooking, 400-1000 cubic meters per hour suction power is recommended based on the size of the kitchen.

Ducts

---

The turns and bends in a duct and its size are important considerations. If a duct is long, the suction power needs to be higher for all the smoke and pollutants to leave the kitchen. A chimney duct’s optimum length is 12 feet and not longer. The chimney should be placed in such a way so that the outdoor connecting pipe is short and the suction power runs efficiently. However, most modern homes have obstacles like a wall or a window for the chimney to function properly.  Stainless steel is durable and is resistant to corrosion which is why it is favoured when making duct pipes. Aluminium and PVC are also used.  The chimney runs with maximum efficiency when there are fewer bends in the pipe.

Cut out for chimney duct

---

There should be a 6 inch cut out on an external wall for the chimney duct. The cut should place the chimney 7 feet from the floor or above the windows. A chimney installer can cut the circular shape on the external wall if there is no cut out in your kitchen and install the chimney. The cut out for the exhaust fan can also be used to pass the chimney pipe through. This is not an option for people living in rented apartments or buildings.

The distance of chimney from the kitchen platform

---

The distance between chimney cook top and hood must be within 26 to 30 inches. Even if the cooking range differs, the distance between chimney and stove remains the same. The kitchen chimney fitting height should not be less than 26 inches or more than 30 inches. A distance of more than the prescribed range will not extract the smoke properly from the kitchen area. And a distance of less than 26 inches hides the visibility of pans and vessels while cooking. Hence, this ideal distance between cook top and hood should be maintained.

After reading the types of chimneys, choosing a chimney best suited for your kitchen should be based on the space, style of cooking and personal taste. It can be helpful to consider the following factors before deciding –

Flexibility – See if you have the provision to go for a ducted chimney or not. Most rented apartments and buildings won’t have this option and going ductless is the only option. A ductless chimney is more flexible and you can even choose the type of hood depending on where your kitchen range and stove top are placed.

Humidity and air quality – A ducted hood should be preferred if the kitchen is humid. If you are ok with recirculating air and a little noise, a ductless hood can also be installed.

Budget –A new duct range and all the ductwork can be expensive. It is advisable to check the budget and the cost of chimney installation before selecting a hood.

It all comes down to someone’s personal style. You can research, make a list of pros and cons and understand which chimney will work best in your kitchen. However, even with all the research, it can be difficult to source modular essentials. Contractorbhai offers its services at transparent pricing and can aid you in renovating or designing every aspect of your home.

Contact us at contractorbhai.com for further details.

Now, using modern lighting solutions is an expensive proposition at first. However, if you think about the impact it will have on operational use, maintenance, and energy efficiency, then you definitely have to consider switching over to modern lighting options such as lamps and chandeliers.

Here are some ideas you can use when integrating modern lighting into your home’s presentation. Not only do these modern lighting fixtures look sleek and stylish, but they are very functional, too.

Lighting up the outside

---

One of the best ways to use modern lighting in your house is to light up outdoor spaces. Thanks to the wide operating temperature range of contemporary lighting and other forms of innovative lighting can withstand cold temperatures. And chances are, if it’s too cold for an LED light to activate, then you really shouldn’t be doing anything outside, anyway.

You can use modern lighting on your driveway and garage area. You can also use an old-style lamp, then retrofit it with an LED light fixture inside it, and pop in an LED bulb. That way, you’ll have a lamp you can hang right next to your front door.

Going to your backyard, it’s a good idea to have low-height light posts if you have an entertainment area at the back. You can then use some brighter modern lighting if you have a cooking area if you want to grill at night. Do remember to use dimmers so that you can set either a pleasant, relaxed mood or a bright, happy party atmosphere.

If you have a pool, modern lighting can also be used for poolside lights, and you can even use modern lighting outfitted with LED lights for treehouse and playground areas.

Lighting your interior

---

Inside the house, modern lighting solutions can contribute to the mood even more. Do remember that modern lighting lamps don’t generate much heat or ultraviolet light, while at the same time creating more light compared to a traditional light bulb equivalent. Because of this, if you use a dimmer control along with the LED light fixture, you can create a softer mood for areas like the fireplace, or small nooks, and then use a brighter, starker light intensity for areas like the kitchen and the dining table.

Night lights

---

With smaller modern lighting systems, you can install unobtrusive night lights, which, thanks to the low power consumption of LED lights in general, can be used all over the house. This can provide safety, such as when lights are installed at the top and bottom of stairs, or security, particularly for areas where intruders can hide.

You can even link the lights so that it can look like people are moving around the house, further discouraging possible break-ins.

Modern lighting systems are versatile and given their long lifespan; you wouldn’t have to worry about stocking up too much on replacements. It’s even better, also, that they happen to be very hardy when it comes to construction. Don’t wait – make sure you shift to modern lighting solutions as soon as you can.

The Options are Many

---

Perhaps the biggest decision of all has to be made at the onset what part of the house should you convert? In many cases, the conversion can add more living space to your residence without expanding it, so you don’t need to worry about losing outdoor space, such as a garden.

There are many types and designs of loft conversions available. Some popular choices are dormer, rooflight or Velux, trussed roof, bungalow, L-shaped dormer and mansard dormer loft conversions.

Picking the Right One

---

The best one for you will depend on the build of your existing home, such as where there is 2m of clear head height, and on what you want to achieve with the project, such as turning an attic into a play area for your kids. Alternatively, you might want a staircase or storage build.

For a custom loft conversion your family will be happy with for a long time to come, choose a recommended loft conversion company in West London.With more than 30 years of experience, the team at Touchstone Lofts can help you narrow down the options, create a great design with you and build according to your vision.

Building Regulations

---

As with any other home improvement project, you will likely wonder about whether it needs planning permission.The reputable loft conversion company you choose will advise you if proper authorisation is necessary and guide you through the process of obtaining it.

Whether building permission is needed depends on the location and type of property. Furthermore, a party wall agreement is required for a semidetached or terraced property, if the work is happening near a neighbour. Again, the conversion specialist will explain the details.

Time for the Renovation

---

A loft conversion can take about three months to complete. However, it can be longer for more complex renovations.

Expect that during this time, there will be some disruptions to the household, given the work happening indoors. Thus, avoid making any other changes in the family during the time of the conversion to minimise its impact. It would also be best if you could store your valuables in a London self storage for the meantime to avoid any damages on your home decors and furniture.

Gaining Value on Your Home

---

When it comes to whether to change problem areas or reassess unused space in your home, a loft conversion can provide a great return on investment. Converting a loft typically costs between £30,000 and £50,000, with the exact amount depending on the complexity of the project.

The monetary return can be substantial when it comes to resale. Home buyers look at the amount of space available to them, and a loft converted into a bedroom, bathroom or storage is highly practical.

A loft conversion can increase a home’s value by 20% to 30%, depending on the project. The sale price can increase by as much as £90,000.

Making Use of a Loft Space

---

With planning and an experienced loft conversion company, your loft space can become a room that provides great functionality, perhaps as a guest bedroom, a gym, or something completely different. The conversion of a loft space can be well worth it, improving the utility of your home and offering a return on investment.

Your home’s comfort relies on having the proper insulation installed throughout the house. Insulation keeps interior temperatures steady, saves energy, and can help reduce noise. In order to achieve these goals, you need to find an insulation installer you can trust for quality service and materials. Knowing a little bit more about the types of insulation available, along with knowing the right questions to ask a contractor, will help you find the right insulation installer for your home.

Tips on Saving Energy

---

In today’s world, it is important to do all we can to conserve energy. This begins in the home. Properly insulating your own house is a great place to get started. You will enjoy saving money each month on your energy bills while knowing that you are doing your part when it comes to energy conservation. Most homeowners know that they need to insulate their walls and attic, but there are other areas that require insulation in order to make the home as energy efficient as it can possibly be. These areas include floors, ceilings, basements, and crawl spaces. Inadequate insulation can force your home’s heating and cooling systems to work harder than they should.TIP: Free insulation grants are available under the government’s ECO scheme. Free-insulation-grants.co.uk can help you access insulation grants to save on your energy bills and make your house more energy efficient

Types of Insulation

---

A popular choice when it comes to the different types of insulation available is roll insulation. Roll insulation provides your home with thermal protection as well as sound reduction properties. It is ideal for walls, attics, ceilings, floors, and mid-floors. Eco-friendly versions are made with formaldehyde-free materials that are safer for you and your family.

Blown installation is a wonderful option for weatherizing existing structures as well as new construction. If you have an older home, blown insulation can be put in your walls with minimal destruction to the house itself. Blown insulation provides consistent protection against outdoor air while helping you maintain interior comfort. It works well in attics, floors, ceilings, and walls.

Green Building Materials

---

You want to protect your home without sacrificing the environment or your health. This is done by using green building materials. When it comes to insulation, eco-friendliness begins with the manufacturing process and materials with low toxicity. Traditional fiberglass insulation required an energy-intensive process to manufacture, and it contained hazardous fibers that caused health issues such as respiratory tract, eye, and skin irritation. ECOSE technology is now being used in the construction of home insulation as a bio-based binder. It is a smarter alternative to traditional phenol-formaldehyde. Many types of insulation are also taking advantage of recycled content. Look for options than use 50 percent or more recycled materials that consist of post-consumer products and pre-consumer recycled glass.

Questions to Ask Your Contractor

---

Asking the right questions will ensure that you are hiring a reliable insulation installer that provides quality service and materials. Begin by asking potential installers how many years they have been in business. Experience is a big plus for any company. Make sure they have the right licensing for your state as well as insurance to cover any accidents. Discuss how customer complaints are handled, and ask for references. On your own, do some research. Are they a member of the Better Business Bureau? Find out what types of insulation they offer, and be sure to check online reviews.

The right insulation installer will be able to provide you with eco-friendly materials that will save you energy. Your home will feel comfortable throughout the year while you enjoy lower energy costs each month.