As part of or kitchen gut renovation this past September we had a 36 inch exhaust hood installed over the gas range and vented to the outside. It’s been absolutely great so far; no more smoking or stinking up the house when cooking.

The one issue I seem to have with it is on windy days the flap on the outside seems to catch the wind and it rattles annoyingly. It’s another windy day today and the thing is rattling away. It sounds like someone standing in my kitchen hitting a snare drum every few minutes.

My question is, how do I fix this? Can it be fixed? Do they make a flap that won’t rattle in the wind?

The outside piece looks like this, basically a larger (6 inch I think) version of a dryer vent flap:




It’s just more annoying than anything, if they make a flap that won’t rattle I’ll have the contractor come back and replace it.

Mine does the same but only in heavy winds.

What about putting a thin stick-on foam moulding strip on the bottom edge?

Just imagine living in Wyoming

quote:

Originally posted by TMats:
Just imagine living in Wyoming

Or Kansas...

I was going to say the same things as your previous two responses. They make felt with adhesive backing that would work just as well as foam tape. Cost you $1 or $2.


The wind in Wyoming is no joke. Every once in a while that wind makes it down to Northern Colorado where I am.

We also have an "Outside air speed is greater than 15 knots" indicator in the kitchen. It's a special feature that we didn't have to pay extra for.

(After 17 years, we've just learned to live with it and turn the TV volume up.)

The flap has to be light weight in order for the exhaust to be able to push it open. The idea of putting a little foam strip is interesting but may be problematic because putting the foam just on the bottom edge will mean that the flap will not seal on the edges and will let air in defeating the purpose of the flap so you would need to see if you can put foam on the area under the flap in such a way as to allow the flap to still seal when closed.

An extreme alternative would be to put a larger enclosure around the existing one to better block the wind. Maybe even just some "wings" around the bottom edge would block the wind enough. Or plant a shrub in front of the thing.

Edit Tailhook just beat me to post. His idea of felt rather than foam might be the ticket. But ideally blocking the wind is the best because if the wind is opening the flap then wind is getting into your house and defeating the purpose of the flap.

Ours does it also in stronger winds from the right directions. Vent is roof mounted.
When it gets annoying turning the fan on low quiets it down pretty good.
Don't like doing that because of the heat or cool loss, but peace of mind is important at times.

When I re-routed my dryer vent, the exterior cover had a small spring in it to keep the flap closed. Maybe a replacement with a similar feature?

We discovered this week, that our stove venthood is not routed to outside.
Instead, it vents into the, empty luckily, cabinet above the stove.
Should be easily remedied with 2 holes, but will have to look into the proper process/method on the roof end to make sure there's no leaks.

Can you re-mount it at a slight angle to reduce the noise?

I would be inclined toward straightshooter01's "extreme alternative": Figure out a way to keep the wind from blowing at/across the thing in such a manner so as not to interfere with the range hood's being able to push it open or the flap closing well when it's not in-use.

The way I se it you've got three options: Motorized Damper of some sort, alter the wind direction, or rotate your house on it foundation!

stick on weather strip on the bottom and top sides will probably solve the problem... but there is another option:

Just take the damn flap off... One of the biggest and stupidest things we as a people have done is come up with the idea that houses should be air tight....

quote:

Originally posted by Blume9mm:

Just take the damn flap off... One of the biggest and stupidest things we as a people have done is come up with the idea that houses should be air tight....

Yes one or the other, let air infiltrate or insulate tight and ventilate right.

The vent on my exhaust hood can do the same thing when it's really windy. I also hear it close an instant after opening the door when the windows are closed and the fresh air vent for the wood stove is closed.

quote:

Originally posted by Blume9mm:
Just take the damn flap off...

^^^^^ yeah take all those doors/flaps off those evil vents but don't come here complaining when you start getting eat up by the damn mosquitos, flies and every other bugs that are sitting outside waiting to get in your house.

And if your vent doesn't have wire mesh covering it mice will be in soon to help you out inside your house.

Around here the vents serve several purposes so they are most helpful.

Neighbor had yellow jackets, a dryer full.
High heat setting, 1/2 hr got the majority.

The outdoor exhaust for my range hood has several narrow louvers rather than a single large flap. Doesn’t rattle on windy days. Dunno if the narrow louvers are the reason.

Am I the only one that thinks the picture in the o.p.
appears to be a dryer vent cowl?

Where is it vented to? Roof or outside wall?
Can you leave the vent flap and run an extra foot of pvc that's a "J" trap?

Air will get out, but a breeze/wind won't get in.

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:
Am I the only one that thinks the picture in the o.p.
appears to be a dryer vent cowl?

Mines just like it Bendable. But mine is on the leeward side of the house and we don’t get the flap flap flap my neighbor does. She got one with three louvers and it doesn’t flap as much.

OP, you could run the vent up thru the ceiling,attic,roof like my kids house is. But that is a lot of work unless you do it yourself.