How to Install Ducting in a Landed Home (Singapore Guide for Cooker Hoods)
If you live in a Singapore landed property, ducting your cooker hood to the outside is one of the best upgrades you can do for stronger suction, less odor, and less grease buildup. But ducting performance depends heavily on duct size, route planning, and installation safety.
This guide covers what homeowners should know — including minimum duct sizing (usually 6”), a key 500mm clearance safety note, and why roof discharge is often the best choice in landed homes.
👉 Related reading / service pages you can link:
1) Start With the Right Duct Size (Minimum 6” Round, Usually)
For most ducted cooker hoods used in Singapore homes, the practical minimum is:
✅ Round duct: minimum 6 inches (150mm)
This is because smaller ducts (like 4”–5”) can restrict airflow, weaken suction, and increase noise.
Important note (as you requested):
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Minimum is typically 6 inches for round ducting, but it may depend on the final hood model you pick (some hoods come with different outlet sizes or adapters).
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Best practice: match the duct diameter to the hood outlet and avoid downsizing.
2) Safety Note: Keep 500mm Away From Unprotected Combustible Materials
When routing ducting, treat heat and grease like real risks — especially for exposed ducting near timber, laminates, cabinetry backing, or other combustible finishes.
✅ Keep the ducting at least 500mm away from unprotected combustible materials
(Or protect those surfaces appropriately.)
This is one of those details contractors should already know — but it’s good for homeowners to confirm it’s being followed.
3) Plan the Route: Short, Straight, and Not Facing Neighbors
The performance rule:
Shorter + straighter ducting = stronger suction + lower noise.
Important for landed homes:
✅ Exposed ducting / exhaust outlet should not face neighbors.
Even if it’s technically possible, it’s not recommended — fumes, smell, and oily exhaust can create complaints.
Best practice:
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Point the discharge away from boundaries
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Avoid venting directly into neighbor-facing areas or narrow side alleys where air lingers
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Use proper external louvre/cap with backdraft flap
👉 Blog – Ducted vs. Ductless Kitchen Hoods
4) Best Exit Point for Landed Homes: Roof Discharge (If You Can)
✅ Best expelled on the roof if you can.
Why roof venting is often ideal in landed properties:
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Exhaust releases higher up → less smell re-entering windows/doors
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Less chance of bothering neighbors
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Often cleaner exterior appearance compared to side-wall vents
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Better for homes with open-concept kitchens connected to living areas
But roof venting must be done properly (waterproofing, flashing, weather cap, correct slope) — so use experienced installers.
5) Ducting Materials: What to Use (And What to Avoid)
Recommended:
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Rigid aluminium / metal ducting (best airflow, lowest noise)
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Semi-rigid aluminium (acceptable when routing is tricky)
Avoid if possible:
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Cheap flexible foil hose (turbulence, grease traps, sagging, louder)
Good ducting isn’t just about “connecting a pipe” — smooth interior walls and tight joints matter.
6) Step-by-Step: How Ducting Installation Typically Works
Step 1 — Choose the hood first
Because duct size and outlet direction (top/rear) depend on the hood model.
✅ This supports your note: “may depend on the final hood you pick.”
Step 2 — Confirm the duct diameter and route
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Minimum 6” round (150mm) in most cases
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Short route, minimal bends
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Keep 500mm clearance from unprotected combustibles
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Ensure outlet doesn’t face neighbors
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Roof discharge preferred where feasible
Step 3 — Create the opening (wall or roof)
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Wall core drilling OR roof penetration with proper waterproofing
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Install external vent cap/louvre and mesh
Step 4 — Install ducting and seal joints
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Clamp connections
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Use aluminium foil tape (not fabric tape)
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Keep duct run supported (no sagging)
Step 5 — Test suction and backdraft
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Ensure air is expelled properly
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Ensure no backflow when hood is off
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Check for rattling/noise caused by loose joints
7) Cost Guide (Singapore Landed Homes)
Costs depend on route complexity:
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Simple wall vent (short, straight run): typically mid-hundreds SGD
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Longer concealed ducting (with carpentry): higher
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Roof discharge (penetration + waterproofing): usually highest
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👉 Blog – Cooker Hood Ducting for Landed Homes Singapore | Requirements, Cost & Installation Guide
8) Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Downsizing the duct (e.g., using 4” when hood supports 6”)
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Too many 90° bends
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Exposed duct too near combustible materials (ignore 500mm clearance)
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Exhaust outlet facing neighbors
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Venting into ceiling/attic without proper external outlet
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Poor external vent cap (no backdraft flap, poor weather cover)
9) Homeowner Checklist (Quick Copy-Paste)
✅ Minimum 6” (150mm) round ducting (unless hood spec requires otherwise)
✅ Route is short, straight, and minimal bends
✅ Maintain 500mm away from unprotected combustible materials
✅ Exhaust does not face neighbors
✅ Roof discharge preferred if feasible
✅ Use rigid/semi-rigid metal ducts, sealed joints
✅ External vent has backdraft flap + weather cover
✅ Contractor is familiar with landed-home ducting best practices
Closing Note
For landed homes, ducting is usually very achievable — but the difference between “okay” and “excellent” performance comes down to details: 6-inch ducting, safe clearance, neighbour-friendly exhaust direction, and (ideally) roof discharge. A contractor should usually be familiar with these, but it’s good to confirm during the site survey.
