The range hood in a kitchen is a must-have to remove the grease and odors produced while cooking. As designs have evolved, the necessity of a range hood has transformed into a decorative focal point. A unique and eye-catching range hood can bring the rest of the space together or standout as a wow factor.

Adam Hibbeler, equipment administrator at SAK Construction, O’Fallon, Mo., renovated his own home’s kitchen with this concept in mind. He created a curved range hood with Flex-C Arch by Flex-Ability Concepts.

The 86-year-old Hibbeler house has a Spanish style with many arches throughout the home. Hibbeler's remodeling plan was to pull those arches into the kitchen. "It was imperative that we match the other arches in the house," Hibbeler said. "This was key to keeping the Spanish style that the house already had and bringing it into our new kitchen."

A Google search led to Flex-Ability Concepts' YouTube page, and Hibbeler thought this is how he could create a curved range hood. He was right.

While ideal for arches in doorways or windows, Flex-C Arch has many other possibilities. The installation is easy. First, draw the desired arch/curve on a concrete surface. Then lay the Flex-C Arch on the drawn line and bend it by hand to match the curve. The Hammer-Lock tabs then can be hammered into place on the Flex-C Arch, securing the desired radius. When the Flex-C Arch is too narrow to reach the tabs with a hammer, bolts can be used as a punch. Flex-C Arch also can be secured into shape by installing self-drilling screws along the sides or through the face. Finally, slide the Flex-C Arch over the rough opening and secure it with screws or nails. When splicing, first shape and secure Flex-C Arch and then overlap and connect the tracks with screws.

Flex-C Arch is available in 8-foot lengths with a 9-inch minimum radius. Custom widths are available. This range hood order was distributed by Negwer Materials Inc. in St. Louis.

“Recognizing what can be done with Flex-C Arch and other Flex-Ability Concepts products is part of the fun of our business,” said Robert Widmer, marketing director for Flex-Ability Concepts. “While we promote the curved soffits, walls, domes, clouds and arches that typically get created, we now can add a unique range hood to the list.”

Hibbeler added, "I couldn’t be happier with the installation and the finished look. I was able to get the exact bends and arches I needed for this project without much effort at all. This house we are renovating is over 80 years old, and I have no doubt that this new range hood will last 80 more with the quality of the product. I am super glad I found Flex-Ability Concepts!"