Hey everyone! I'm a total newbie at DIY and home improvement, and I'm trying to figure out how to install my range hood. My cooktop is positioned right between two studs, which means I don't have a stud to secure the range hood to. I know that cutting into the drywall to add some 2x4 blocking is an option, but I was wondering if there are any alternative solutions out there, maybe a metal bracket that could span the two studs? Ideally, it would need to be slightly indented into the drywall so I could fill over it. Has anyone seen something like this or do you have any tips on creating your own bracket? Thanks a ton!
1 Answer
What type of cooktop and range hood are we talking about? Typically, range hoods come with their own brackets designed for these situations. Just a heads up, standard studs are generally 14.5 inches apart. Most range hoods are wider than the cooktop (24-30 inches), so double-check the stud locations. If your setup is a 24-inch OC wall, I'd suggest using the bracket that came with your range hood and some toggle bolts for extra support in the drywall. The more anchors you use, the better the weight distribution!
I measured the distance, and my studs are about 23.5 inches apart. I’ve seen some videos using drywall anchors on top and then securing the bottom with screws into the studs. I'm a bit worried about the drywall holding, though. If I use two toggle bolts on top and two screws into the studs at the bottom, do you think that would be strong enough? I'm getting a cat soon, so I really want to make sure it’s secure!