[bakerhouse]

I have a KitchenAid range hood to install. At the moment our walls are only painted, but we plan to add a tiled backsplash.

In the installation instructions for the hood:

"If a backsplash is to be used with this canopy hood, it MUST be installed before the canopy hood. Installation instructions are supplied with the backsplash kit. The height of the backsplash will determine the height of the bottom edged of the canopy hood"

I'm sure the instructions are referring to the optional KitchenAid stainless backsplash. It makes sense that I'll need to tile prior to installing hood. The part about, "The height of the backsplash will determine the height of the bottom edged of the canopy hood", sounds like it might be unique to the KA backspash??

Also in question, "24inch minimum from cooking surface". How high is "normal"?

Thanks.

[DesignDiva]

I agree, they must be talking about the Kitchenaid backsplash since they mention there is an installation kit.

I don't see why you would need to install your backsplash before the hood unless it was a single piece item and had to be fitted precisely. Then you would have to make sure you had enough space for it once the hood was installed, so plan it out carefully. If you're using a tile backsplash you'd want to position your hood so as not to create a problem with needing a small sliver of tile at the edge. Again, planning on paper is the best option.

Typical range hood installation is 24 to possibly up to 30 inches above the cooking surface. Your manufacturer should provide the proper distance allowance in the documentation.

[splatgirl]

What Eva said. There is no reason why you'd need to install your backsplash tile prior to hanging the hood. In fact, most people probably do the opposite.
If it's not a problem for your line of sight, 24" above cooking surface will get you the best suckage from the hood. Official new IKEAfans word: suckage. Generally speaking, the lower the better if you want it to do what you bought it for.
I think mine is in the neighborhood of 26".