Wood vs. stainless: Which range hood is best for your style

Range hoods are a crucial component of your kitchen’s style and functionality. They whisk away smoke, steam, grease, and odors emitting from your stove and oven, keeping your kitchen safe and clean as you cook. 

Range hoods, sometimes called kitchen hoods or vent hoods, are an important piece of your design vision. Choosing the right one means balancing aesthetics, functionality, and lasting satisfaction, which is why we’re comparing two of the most popular materials used in range hoods: wood and stainless steel. 

From a stylistic perspective, you might first consider whether you want your range hood to blend in seamlessly or make a bold statement. You could coordinate it with your other stainless steel appliances, or have it complement your kitchen cabinetry’s color and finish. On the practical side, think about how often you use your stovetop, and the steam and grease your cooking generates, to find the right range hood for your kitchen.

Wood range hoods can perfectly match your kitchen cabinets. Photo from MasterBrand Cabinets.

When you’re ready to plan your kitchen remodel, we’re here to help. Rebode Jumpstarter allows you to explore all your kitchen remodel ideas in just a few clicks. Simply fill out a short questionnaire to share your dream kitchen goals, and we’ll suggest styles for cabinets, countertops, hardware, and more. You’ll also have the option to connect with a local kitchen designer to help bring your vision to life and find the perfect range hood for your space.

Wood range hoods

If you plan to have wood kitchen cabinets, you might consider a range hood to match. Wood range hoods work great in traditional kitchens with a farmhouse or cottage aesthetic, as the material’s innate warmth creates a cozy feel. They’re also highly versatile in terms of style, allowing you to customize the shape, size, and decorative details more easily than stainless steel. 

You can select from shapes like curved, arched, bell, sloped, or Shaker for your wood range hood, adding intricate grooves or flowing designs for visual interest. A wood range hood can match the color of your kitchen cabinets or your walls to achieve a seamless, coordinated look, and depending on the wood species, the wood’s natural grain can become a design feature on its own. 

This wood range hood coordinates with these two-tone kitchen cabinets. Photo from MasterBrand Cabinets.

Because of their customizable nature, wood range hoods can cost more than stainless steel options. As with all wooden elements, proper cleaning and upkeep is required to ensure the material and color stay looking pristine. Wood range hoods typically come with metal inserts to enhance durability and longevity, and your kitchen designer will help you choose the best finishes that can withstand heat, moisture, and grease so your range hood stays beautiful.

Stainless steel range hoods

Stainless steel range hoods bring a touch of modernity to your kitchen while complementing nearly any style. They can be customized to blend seamlessly with your appliances or provide a clean, understated backdrop that lets your cabinetry shine. For instance, while a wood hood can extend the cohesion look of two-tone cabinets, stainless steel offers a neutral contrast—a crisp design break that keeps the space balanced.

Available in a range of shapes, from bold and geometric to the subtle concealed, stainless steel hoods come in several finishes such as brushed, polished, light, and dark. Though less customizable than wood, these options still allow you to personalize your design.

This stainless steel range hood brings a touch of geometry and modernity to this kitchen. Photo from MasterBrand Cabinets.

Regarding functionality, the nature of stainless steel makes it a highly durable option. If you’re often cooking stovetop meals that give off a lot of steam or grease, a stainless steel range hood could be right for you. After all, industrial kitchens use stainless steel for a reason: Its quick and easy cleanup, plus heat resistance, make maintenance a breeze!

No matter which material you choose, partnering with your kitchen designer ensures your range hood matches both your vision and your practical needs, bringing your mood board to life.

Find your style, create the kitchen you love

Ready to bring your dream kitchen to life? Start with the Rebode Jumpstarter quiz to discover your unique style. From there, our experts will help you select the right range hood—along with cabinetry, finishes, and design details—that fit seamlessly into your vision.