What does a wall vent for a hood cost in NB?

A wall vent kit for a range hood typically costs $25-$80 for the materials alone, with professional installation running $150-$400 depending on wall thickness, exterior finish, and how far the duct needs to travel.

The vent kit itself is straightforward — it's a cap that mounts on your exterior wall with a damper flap that closes when the hood isn't running. You'll find basic galvanized steel caps at the lower end ($25-$40) and heavier-gauge stainless steel or aluminum versions with better dampers in the $50-$80 range. The duct connecting the hood to the exterior cap (typically 6" round or 3¼" x 10" rectangular) adds another $20-$60 depending on length and material.

Where costs climb is the labour and any complications. Cutting through an exterior wall in an NB home — especially older 1960s-1990s construction — can mean navigating plaster-and-lath, brick veneer, or thick insulated walls. If the hood is on an interior wall and the duct needs to travel through cabinets or a soffit before exiting, that adds time and materials. Expect the higher end of the $150-$400 labour range in those situations.

The NB climate piece matters here. A proper exterior damper is non-negotiable in New Brunswick winters — a cheap or poorly-fitted cap will let cold air backdraft into your kitchen and can cause condensation inside the duct. Look for a cap with a spring-loaded or magnetic damper rather than a simple flap. Some contractors also recommend insulating the duct run in exterior walls to prevent condensation during our cold months.

On the ventilation point — range hoods in NB should always vent to the outside, not recirculate. Recirculating hoods don't remove humidity or cooking moisture, which compounds the mold-behind-cabinets problem that Maritime summers already create.

If you're comfortable with basic tools, cutting the exterior hole and installing the cap is a DIY-able job on a wood-sided home — but if you have brick, stucco, or vinyl siding with rigid foam behind it, a contractor will get a cleaner result and proper weathersealing. The duct connection to the hood itself is also straightforward if it's a short, straight run.

If your kitchen renovation involves a new hood location or a layout change, get this roughed in before cabinets and soffits are closed up — retrofitting ductwork through finished cabinetry is significantly more expensive.

Need help finding a kitchen renovator in your area? New Brunswick Kitchens can match you with a local contractor for free.