Benchtop vs. Floor Mounted Fume Hoods – Which Is Right For You?

Trying to decide which fume hood is right for you? Let’s take a look at some of the differences between two popular models: benchtop fume hoods and floor mounted fume hoods. No matter which one best meets your laboratory equipment needs, iQ Labs is here to help.

What Is a Benchtop Fume Hood?

Benchtop fume hoods are one of the most popular models of fume hoods available for laboratory use. They sit on a laboratory bench, also known as a workstation or utility table. This makes it easy to sit or stand in front of the fume hood and conduct your work through the opening created by lifting the vertical sash.

Available Sizes

Standardd sizes of our benchtop fume hoods range from 36 inches up to 120 inches. We also offer custom benchtop fume hoods that are larger and built specifically for your needs. For example, both our fume hoods and workstations can be customized to meet ADA requirements, making your lab more accessible.

Our LA series benchtop fume hood and our BV series benchtop fume hood come standard at 54 inches tall (with an internal height of 48 inches) and 34 inches deep. We also offer various widths:

1. 36 inches 
2. 48 inches 
3. 60 inches 
4. 72 inches 
5. 84 inches 
6. 96 inches 

Energy Efficiency

Both our LA series and BV series benchtop fume hoods come in constant air volume (CAV) models and variable air volume (VAV) models.

CAV fume hoods are common, reasonably priced models of fume hoods. They are often the standard model offered by fume hood manufacturers. With CAV fume hoods, air is constantly exhausted out of the fume hood whenever it is in use.

VAV fume hoods use smart technology to adjust the level of exhaustion in the fume hood. As such, they are often more expensive than CAV models. However, because they vary the level of exhaust as needed, they are often more energy efficient, saving more money over time than CAV fume hoods.

With a benchtop fume hood, you have the option of choosing either a CAV model or a VAV model, depending on your needs and preferences.

Customizations

At iQ Labs, both our LA series and BV series benchtop fume hoods are customizable. Depending on your needs, we can not only customize the size and color, but also add specialty equipment and accessories, including:

1. Stainless steel liner
2. Explosion-proof lighting and fixtures
3. Electrical switches and receptacles
4. Remote-controlled plumbing fixtures with the option for color-coded outlets
5. Vertical, horizontal, combination, or interlocking vertical (disappearing post) sash
6. Vapor-proof light fixtures
7. Air velocity monitor and alarm

With a benchtop fume hood, you’ll also need a workstation on which to place it. Our utility tables are also customizable in terms of size, color, knee space, and drawer configuration.

Best Use for Benchtop Fume Hoods

Often viewed as the standard for fume hoods, benchtop fume hoods are used for a variety of processes, including acid digestion, battery testing, and cannabis extraction. They can also be augmented to become radioisotope fume hoods or perchloric acid fume hoods.

Because they are so versatile, benchtop fume hoods are great options for a variety of industries, including:

1. Automotive
2. Education
3. Research and development
4. Cannabis
5. Medical 
6. Government 

What Is a Floor Mounted Fume Hood?

Floor mounted fume hoods are installed directly onto the floor instead of a workstation. They are large pieces of laboratory equipment—often called “walk-in fume hoods,” a person could easily fit inside (although standard laboratory protocols strongly discourage such an action). With floor-mounted fume hoods, you can place any other necessary equipment inside the fume hood, even if it is too large to put on a lab bench. 

Available Sizes

At iQ Labs, we manufacture custom floor mounted fume hoods of any size. Generally, our standard models are 48 inches tall and 20 inches wide. 

Energy Efficiency

Like benchtop fume hoods, floor mounted fume hoods are available as both CAV and VAV models. CAV models will likely be less expensive upfront, but VAV fume hoods may cost less over time due to their energy-saving capabilities.

Customizations

Floor mounted fume hoods are slightly more specialized than benchtop fume hoods, resulting in fewer available customizations. However, we still offer specialty equipment and add-ons, including:

1. Explosion-proof lighting and fixtures
2. Electrical switches and receptacles
3. Remote-controlled plumbing fixtures with the option for color-coded outlets
4. Vertical, horizontal, or combination sash
5. Ceiling enclosure
6. Air velocity monitor and alarm

Best Use for Floor Mounted Fume Hoods

Because of their size, floor mounted fume hoods work best for processes that require large equipment to complete their work. This makes them invaluable for industries such as:

1. Automotive
2. Cannabis
3. Medical 
4. Research & development

What Is the Best Fume Hood for Me?

Whether you decide to go with a benchtop fume hood, a floor mounted fume hood, or one of our other top-of-the-line models, iQ Labs offers the high-quality equipment you need for your lab. Contact us today to place an order or learn more about our products.