The Rustic Charm of Wood Kitchen Hood Covers
With their warm, natural beauty, wood kitchen hood covers offer an affordable way to add farmhouse, cottage, or rustic flair over an outdated range hood. Compared to a full hood replacement, wood covers allow for quick upgrades that transform the heart of your kitchen. Whether you opt for reclaimed boards, beadboard panels, or a DIY cover made from pine, there’s a wood hood solution for every style and budget.
From choosing materials to measuring for a custom fit and finishing options, we’ll cover everything you need to know to install wood hood covers with rustic charm.
Types of Wood Hood Covers
Rustic Wood Hood Covers
For country character, weathered barn boards or reclaimed wood make excellent hood covers. The aged, peeling appearance and natural patina add cozy texture. Unfinished pine boards are budget-friendly and easy to install in patterns like shiplap or horizontal planks. Be sure to use kiln-dried boards rated for indoor use.
Salvaged wood from old barns, stables, crates, or fencing breathe new life into kitchens. Since each board has a story, no two covers will be the same. Using a mix of wide and narrow pieces adds depth. Just be sure to seal reclaimed wood to prevent insects or rot.
Beadboard Kitchen Hood Covers
With their distinctive grooves, beadboard panels create vintage appeal on range hoods. Often made from pine, beadboard offers a lightweight affordable cover option. Use white paint or light stains to suit modern farmhouse styles. Go bold with navy blue or black for a pop of contrast.
Beadboard sheets come in 4x8’ panels that can be cut down for hoods. Use decorative trim like crown molding to finish the edges. For extra dimension, install the boards diagonally or mix wide and narrow widths.
DIY Wood Hood Covers
Crafting a custom wood cover lets you personalize your kitchen’s crown jewel. Start with 1x3, 1x4 or 1x6 inch unfinished boards made of pine, poplar or cedar. Precisely measure your existing hood before designing the frame and wood pattern.
Cut boards to size and distress or paint as desired before constructing the cover. Attach using adhesive and screws for a sturdy mount. With the right tools, DIY hood covers allow for shiplap patterns, unique trim, and other special touches.
Wood Hood Cover Styles
Shiplap Wood Hood Covers
A classic wood look, shiplap hood covers use wide boards installed horizontally with slight gaps to expose the wood edge underneath. This overlapping pattern is easy for DIYers to cut and assemble. Go modern with bright white paint or switched-up sizes.
The visible “steps” created by shiplap make a noticeable design statement over cooktops. Allow boards to meet rough wood edges for a naturally imperfect vibe. Install shiplap vertically for a less rustic aesthetic.
Plank Wood Hood Covers
For simplified style, install straight planks horizontally or vertically across the hood. Wider planks make small spaces appear bigger. Allow extra overhang on the edges for a decorative effect. Mix stains and wood varieties to create contrast.
The linear look of planks lets you highlight wood grain beauty. Use afforable pine boards in alternating widths. Add interest by lightly distressing edges with sandpaper or nail holes. Leave small gaps between planks for a refined rustic style.
Tin Ceiling Tile Hood Covers
Add vintage personality with faux tin ceiling tiles designed for easy installation. The carved interlocking steel tiles come in square, rectangle, hexagon and copper looks. Tin tiles create texture without the weight of real metal.
For trendy industrial flair, combine metal and wood by using tin tiles as an accent. Or cover the entire hood in mixed metal hues like antique copper, bronze and silver. Use tin tiles to match backsplashes or light fixtures.
Selecting and Installing Wood Hood Covers
Choosing Wood Type
Pine boards make ideal hood covers as they’re lightweight, affordable and take stain well. For a step up, poplar has a refined look that takes paint beautifully. Cedar naturally resists moisture, rot and pests but requires extra sanding prep before finishing.
Consider moisture levels near the range when selecting wood type. Oily tropical hardwoods like mahogany add luxury for high-end kitchens. Ultimately choose wood that coordinates with your cabinetry for a cohesive style.
Measuring Your Hood
Accurately measuring the hood’s height, width, and depth prevents gaps or overhangs during installation. Use a level to account for any crooked areas. Measure multiple spots to catch inconsistencies. Jot down vent and control panel locations to cut boards around them.
For DIY covers, build an undersized frame first before adding the visible boards to hide imperfect walls or hoods. Purchased covers should include instructions for submitting exact measurements for a customized fit.
Installation Tips
Adhesive strips provide an easy install option for thin wood panels or tiles. Use screws for large solid wood covers to support the weight long-term. Predrill holes to prevent cracking.
Work in stages by attaching a row at a time for large covers. Use wood filler in holes or gaps before finishing for a seamless look. Remove adjacent cabinet doors during installation for easier access.
Finishing Wood Hood Covers
Staining
Penetrating stains work best for kitchen hoods as they hold up to heat and moisture. Gel stains add extra color saturation. For a natural look, use light coats of semi-transparent oil-based stain on raw wood.
To get an aged, rustic appearance, apply dark walnut or ebony stains over raw wood before distressing techniques. Finish with a polyurethane top coat for protection.
Painting
For crisp painted covers, use wood conditioner before priming for a smooth finish. Semi-gloss or high-gloss paint is easiest to wipe clean. For rustic charm, use milk or chalk paint for an aged, worn patina.
Lightly sand between coats to remove drips or debris. Topcoat with polyacrylic sealer formulated for kitchens. Avoid high-VOC oil-based paints that release strong fumes near cooking areas.
Leaving Unfinished
Let raw wood hood covers age naturally for relaxed rustic style. Use food-safe linseed oil or beeswax to protect and enhance the look of bare cedar, redwood or cypress. Allow unfinished wood to patina over the years.
Unsealed pine will yellow over time - consider this when choosing wood type and color. Avoid leaving unfinished boards unfinished near heat sources to prevent drying out or warping.
Use mild dish soap and water to gently clean finished or unfinished wood. Avoid harsh scrubbing. Re-coat with food-safe sealers annually or whenever the finish appears worn or dull.
Inspect for cracks, chips or damage from heat and moisture. Sand and touch up localized flaws as needed. Watch for warping boards which may need reattachment or replacement.
Re-stain and add protective sealer every 2-3 years for optimal color and water-resistance. Keep wood covers beautiful for years with simple periodic maintenance.