Closer look at a DIY wood range hood cover build with a plywood face panel and arched lower detail, framed in with MDF and topped with white crown molding, installed between dark green cabinets during a kitchen remodel.

How to Build a Wood Range Hood Cover (Step-By-Step)

DIY, Home Remodel, Kitchen

A wood range hood cover is one of those projects that instantly makes the kitchen feel more finished, even when everything else is still mid-chaos. It adds that custom, built-in look, hides the insert, and gives you a big moment right over the stove, which is basically the kitchen’s main stage.

Here’s exactly how I built this wood range hood cover, step-by-step, and a list of everything you’ll need to build your own.

Wide view of an in-progress DIY wood range hood cover framed above a gas stove, featuring an arched bottom trim, plywood center panel, MDF side panels, and white crown molding between dark green kitchen cabinets.

Table of Contents

Tools and Materials for a Wood Range Hood Cover

Having your supplies ready makes this whole project move way faster, and trust me, anything that keeps a build from dragging out is a win.

Tools

Materials

Prep Work Before Building the Wood Range Hood Cover

Before you start building the wood range hood cover, you’ve got to prep the wall and get the functional stuff handled. First, I installed an outlet in the range hood area so the insert would have power.

DIYer standing on the stovetop using an oscillating multi-tool to cut drywall for a new electrical box.
Wall space above the stove showing the newly installed outlet.

Then you’ll need to use a hole saw to cut the hole in your wall for the ducting so the vent can exhaust outside like it’s supposed to. My personal opinion, don’t go ductless. Take the time to vent the exhaust from your fan.

PS… Ignore the wood you see here; I got ahead of myself.

DIYer standing on a step ladder using a hole saw and drill to cut a circular opening for outside venting, routing the duct for exhaust.
Kitchen wall above the stove showing a newly cut circular vent opening for a ducted range hood, positioned above the framed wood base for a DIY range hood cover during installation.

Now, you’ll also need a matching hole on the exterior of your house.

You can do it at the same time you cut the interior hole (which is the simplest). But if it’s winter in the Midwest, like it was while I was working on this, you can absolutely wait. I built and installed the wood range hood cover first, and then I waited to cut the exterior opening later, once I was ready to hook up the ducting.

Close-up of hands using a drill with a hole saw to cut through exterior siding for the kitchen exhaust duct to vent outside.

Step 1: Build the Frame for the Wood Range Hood Cover

For the frame of my wood range hood cover, I used all 2x4s and pre-cut my pieces with my miter saw.

You’ll build two rectangles:

  • One rectangle for the top
  • One rectangle for the bottom

The rectangle size will depend on:

Once your pieces are cut:

  1. Pre-drill the holes
  2. Use wood screws and a drill to assemble the rectangle
  3. Repeat for the second rectangle
DIY builder kneeling on the kitchen floor using a cordless drill to predrill and screw corner blocks onto cut lumber pieces, prepping the wood frame for a DIY range hood cover above a stainless gas range.
DIY builder assembling the wood range hood cover frame by drilling screws through a corner block to join two boards, forming a rectangular frame on the kitchen floor in front of green kitchen cabinets and a stainless steel stove.

This frame is what gives your wood range hood cover its shape and strength, so take your time and keep everything square.

DIY builder assembling a rectangular wood frame on the kitchen floor for a DIY range hood cover, positioning cut boards and corner blocks before screwing the frame together in front of a stainless gas stove and dark green cabinets.

Step 2: Install the Framing

First, use a stud finder to know where your wall studs are. Next, I installed blocking(using a level to keep them straight), screwing them right into the wall studs.

One important detail: make sure the top rectangle will sit below the duct hole so you’ll have room to connect your venting later. I missed that part and ended up having to move everything down.

DIYer using a level while drilling 2x4 support boards into wall studs, adding solid blocking to securely attach the DIY wood range hood cover frame above the stove.
Kitchen wall above the stove with 2x4 blocking screwed into wall studs, creating sturdy support boards for mounting a DIY wood range hood cover frame between upper cabinets.

The rectangles from Step 1 will attach straight to that blocking. Predrill your holes first to help prevent splitting, then drive screws through the back of each rectangle right into the blocking. It’s also a good idea to do some screws angled from the bottom of the rectangle into the blocking for extra strength.

DIYer using a cordless drill to screw the wood range hood cover frame into 2x4 blocking and wall studs, attaching the sturdy base frame above the stove for a custom DIY wood range hood cover.
Wide view of the kitchen wall above the stove showing a rectangular wood frame test-fitted in place, aligned with 2x4 wall blocking to create the base structure for a DIY wood range hood cover between upper cabinets.

Step 3: Add the Cross Bracing

This is where the frame stops feeling like “two rectangles floating in space” and starts feeling like a real structure.

I don’t like doing angle math, so I do this the easy way:

  1. Hold up the 2×4 where you want it to go
  2. Mark your cut lines
  3. Cut with your miter saw
  4. Pre-drill holes, and install with screws
Marking the angle on a 2x4 to cut an angled support brace for the DIY range hood cover frame.
Attaching an angled 2x4 support brace to connect the top and bottom of the DIY range hood cover frame.

I added one brace on each side, and once those were in, the frame for the wood range hood cover was done.

DIY range hood cover frame with angled support braces installed on both sides for added strength and rigidity.

Step 4: Install the Range Hood Insert and Connect the Ducting

I love the insert I bought. We used it in our last house, and it worked so well that we bought it again for this house. It’s easy to install (just follow the included directions). And yes, don’t forget to plug it in.

Installing the range hood insert into the bottom frame of a DIY range hood cover above the stove.

Next up: ducting.

  • Drill/cut the outside part of your vent hole (if you didn’t do it already)
  • Connect and install your ducting

Then we filled the gap around the ducting with expanding sealant foam. If you skip this step, you’re basically leaving a welcome mat for outside air, bugs, and even rodents. Hard pass.

Using expanding foam around the range hood vent duct to seal gaps and keep out air, bugs, and rodents.

Step 5: Wrap the Wood Range Hood Cover Frame with Plywood

To cover all the framing on my wood range hood cover, I’m using 1/4 inch plywood because it’s inexpensive, easy to work with, and will look great stained or painted.

Start by covering the sides first. You’ll use either a table saw or a circular saw to cut the panels to the size you need. Side note… big box hardware stores will even cut them for you if you don’t own a saw.

When I built my frame, I left just enough of a gap so I could slide the 1/4 inch plywood between the cabinet and the wood range hood cover frame. Then used my brad nailer to attach the plywood.

Attaching 1/4-inch plywood to wrap the DIY range hood cover frame over a stove, using a nail gun while the vent duct and hood insert are in place.

For the front panel, I wanted a subtle arch at the bottom. Here’s how I did it:

  1. Use a string attached to a nail as a guide to draw a smooth arch
  2. Adjust until you like the curve
  3. Cut it out with a jigsaw
  4. Use a sander to smooth out the edge
Kneeling on a foam board outside, using a piece of string and a straight board as a guide to mark an arched curve on a piece of plywood for a DIY kitchen project.
Tracing an arch on a plywood panel with a string to create a curved detail.

Once all three sides were covered, the wood range hood cover was already looking so good.

DIY range hood cover fully wrapped in plywood with a smooth arched front, installed between upper kitchen cabinets above the stove.

Step 6: Add Trim and Crown to Finish the Wood Range Hood Cover

Right now, we’re renovating our entire first floor at the same time, and when rooms all flow together with an open concept, it’s important that the design feels cohesive.

One of the easiest ways to do that is to repeat details like trim.

I’m doing classic box trim and crown molding around my living room (check it out here – DIY Box Molding Wall Trim Tutorial (Step-by-Step Guide)). Repeating those same trim elements on the wood range hood cover helps the whole first floor feel like one cohesive space.

Installing crown molding on a custom plywood range hood cover, holding the crown in place and nailing it along the top edge for a built-in look.
Attaching face-frame trim to a DIY wood range hood cover with a brad nailer, creating a clean framed front around the arched opening.

Make a Custom Arched Trim Piece for the Bottom

To trim out the bottom front of the wood range hood cover, I had to make a custom trim piece.

Using a piece of MDF, I traced the piece I cut out from the bottom of the front panel, so I had a template to repeat that curve exactly. Then I measured 4 inches to make the trim the same width as the rest of the MDF trim I’m using.

Tracing an arched curve on a trim board for creating arched trimwork that looks like box molding
Creating and cutting a custom arched trim piece with a jigsaw.

Once the piece was cut and sanded, I held it up to the wood range hood cover and marked where to trim off the sides so it fit perfectly between the vertical trim pieces.

I hold the arched trim in place and mark the edges for a precise fit on the front of the custom range hood cover.
I use a nail gun to secure the curved bottom trim piece onto the front of the DIY range hood cover.

Done… For Now (Help Me Decide)

The wood range hood cover is built, wrapped, trimmed, and fully functional… which is the important part. But I still need to decide what finish I’m going with.

I could:

  • Paint it the same green as my cabinets so it blends in
  • Stain it to match the island for more contrast and warmth

What would you do? Paint to match the cabinets or stain to match the island?

Wide view of an in-progress DIY wood range hood cover framed above a gas stove, featuring an arched bottom trim, plywood center panel, MDF side panels, and white crown molding between dark green kitchen cabinets.

DIY Kitchen Remodel Progress (What We’ve Finished So Far)

We’ve lived here for 6 months now and progress can feel slow, but we’ve actually gotten a ton done in this kitchen already:

Coming soon:

  • Backsplash
  • Painting our Facebook Marketplace fridge to match the cabinets

If you want the behind-the-scenes chaos and progress in real time, come hang out with me on Instagram. This wood range hood cover is just one piece of the puzzle, and there’s a lot more goodness coming.

Wide view of a DIY full kitchen remodel in progress with green cabinets, marble-look countertops, a wood island, brass hardware, and unfinished areas still being worked on.

More Range Hood Cover Ideas

If you want more range hood cover inspiration, I’ve done a couple of totally different styles in our previous homes. One was a bold stone surround with an arched opening, and the other was a sleek, classic white hood that felt clean and modern. I’ll link both tutorials here for you.

White painted wood range hood cover with a clean, tapered shape between white shaker cabinets, styled above a white stove with a light marble-look backsplash.
Stone-veneer range hood surround with an arched opening over a stainless range, paired with white cabinets, a brass pot filler, and simple neutral kitchen styling.

📌 Save This Wood Range Hood Cover for Later

If you’re planning a kitchen remodel (or you’re already living in the chaos), save this wood range hood cover tutorial to Pinterest so you can pull it up when you’re ready to build. It’s one of those projects that makes the whole kitchen feel custom fast, and you’ll want the steps, tool list, and measurements handy.

Wood Range Hood Cover FAQs

How do you build a wood range hood cover?

Build a wood range hood cover by framing a top and bottom rectangle from 2x4s, attaching them to the wall blocking, adding cross bracing, installing the hood insert, connecting the ducting, then wrapping the frame with plywood and finishing with trim.

What wood should you use for a wood range hood cover?

2x4s work great for the internal frame, and 1/4 inch plywood is an easy, affordable option for wrapping the outside. MDF is also a solid choice for trim details if you plan to paint.

Do you need to vent a range hood outside?

If your insert is ducted, yes, it needs outside venting through the wall or roof. Some hoods are ductless/recirculating, but for real odor and smoke removal, venting outside is usually the better option.

How do you seal gaps around a range hood duct?

After the duct is installed, use expanding foam sealant around the gaps to block air leaks and keep out bugs and rodents. Just don’t overfill, because expanding foam grows a lot as it cures.

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