The laser levels are measurement tools that have simplified and optimized the arduous task of achieving correct leveling and plumbing in all types of activity. While working with tools Classics for the task is effective, as long as a good job is done, new technologies are constantly being developed to speed up and give greater efficiency to this task.
Traditionally, they have always been used levelsBoth lines and rotating, equipped with diodes that project one or more red laser beams, since these diodes are cheaper, consume less energy and work perfectly at lower temperatures.
However, in recent years technology has developed models that replace the red diodes with their green pairs. As we already pointed out in another article, this choice is based on the fact that the human eye captures green color more easily, so it can be detected four times better than a red laser. Under direct sunlight this difference is not appreciable, but indoors it is, and it is particularly in these cases where the new green laser levels They have a notable advantage over the red laser models.
Green line lasers have lower power consumption and lower heat generation; therefore, they improve battery life and instrument life, and maintain a nearly constant operating temperature over extended periods of work. Since green lines are more visible than red lines, the working distance without using a reflector plate is significantly greater, making these levels ideal for the installation of, among others, drywall and suspended ceilings.
In this note we are going to mention some examples of situations in which we can take better advantage of a green lines laser level indoors, achieving more accurate measurements in less time. It should be clarified that green line laser levelss available on the market are commonly of the combined type, that is, they incorporate a horizontal green line, a vertical green line and at least two plumb points (one projected above and one below the tool) usually red in color. Therefore, we are going to detail the applications based on this particular type of combined levels, although cross-line levels or rotating levels can also be used.
This video shows a typical combination laser level and the accessories that are normally included in the case, as well as how to use them.
Considerations Before Using a Combination Laser Level
Every time we use a line laser level, whether combined or not, we must take into account some considerations. Let’s examine the most important ones.
- There must be no obstacles in the path of the laser lines, for example a piece of furniture. Otherwise, the effect of refraction will interrupt the projected line.
- The laser level It must be located at an optimal distance from the object to be measured, always respecting the maximum range indicated by the manufacturer (generally 15 meters) without exceeding it. Remember that if the object is at a great distance (for example, when installing a suspended ceiling) the maximum range can be increased by using the reflector plate provided with the instrument. On the other hand, reducing the distance also reduces the possibility of error, so, whenever possible, the laser level should be located close to the object to be measured.
- Leveling must be done on a flat surface, that is, placing the level on the floor, on a table, or mounting it on a tripod or on the support provided with the tool. It must be fixed firmly, without experiencing jerks or movements, since the total immobility of the device is a guarantee to obtain accurate data.
- Before starting measurements, the manufacturer’s instructions should be followed for using the self-leveling feature found in most of the laser levels. This function will give an alarm whenever the instrument is not correctly leveled.
Application examples
a) Installation of suspended ceilings
The installation of a suspended ceiling requires the prior laying of a complex line of galvanized steel (or wood) frames to which the plasterboard will be attached. The work, therefore, involves starting from the first stringer as shown in the following figure on the left to finish with the profile structure ready to place the plates, as we see in the figure on the right.
Installation of suspended ceilings with green laser level
As we can also infer from the figures, perfect leveling is essential at all times, since otherwise we would achieve a crooked and unsightly ceiling.
As this task generally covers moderately long distances within an enclosed space (for example, it can be a living room, an institutional, commercial or sports space, or even a large home), a green lines level Provided with a reflector plate, if necessary, it will notably facilitate the work. We can take better advantage of the level’s benefits if we mount it on its support that we will initially fix to the wall and then, as the placement progresses, on any of the installed profiles, or on a telescopic bar that we can also purchase from the manufacturer (see figure below). In this way, we will have the proper leveling of all the beams and crossbars so that later we can comfortably mount the plasterboards.
Leveling suspended ceilings with green laser level
b) Installation of room partitions
With a good line laser level we can remodel a room in a very short time by installing partitions using the useful dry-build methodology. This will require the placement of uprights and sills in the agreed place, simply following the projection of the laser lines, without the need to use ladders or crawl across the floor to establish the precise place for the assembly of the profiles.
As in the case of suspended ceilings, if we must work in large environments (for example, install partitions to create offices, consulting rooms, classrooms, etc.), a green line laser level It will be the tool ideal, because we can better perceive the green color at distances of up to 15 meters, or even more if we use the reflector plate.
Division of environments for dry construction
c) Laying ceramic tiles on the ceiling of a bathroom
The various ceiling coverings available today add elegance to any environment and enhance its hierarchy. They can be arranged on suspended ceilings, avoiding the previous installation of plasterboard, they can be placed on the plasterboard themselves, or, if the construction is traditional and has concrete ceilings, they can be placed directly on the concrete.
Of course, covering a roof is not an easy task, but it would be exhausting if we did not have a green lines laser level, particularly, for example, in a bathroom. Bathrooms are usually dark environments, particularly those in apartments, so the bright green lines will be projected with great clarity on the ceiling.
The figure below clearly shows the precise way that laser lines can help us in the placement of ceramic on a ceiling, in order to obtain a distinguished design in a short time, and in a professional manner.
Laying ceramic tiles on the ceiling of a bathroom
Of course, we can follow the same technique to arrange any type of coating, be it ceramic, wood, plaster, PVC or metal on any ceiling, as well as any wall and floor.
d) Installation of kitchen furniture or cabinets in brightly lit areas
Unlike bathrooms, kitchens or dining rooms are usually environments that receive a lot of natural lighting. Once again, working with a green lines laser level In these conditions it will be easier than if we used a level of red lines, since our eyes visualize the green color better, and for greater distance.
Precisely the figures that follow show the clarity of the green lines for the assembly of kitchen furniture and / or cabinets.
Installation of kitchen furniture or cabinets with green lines laser level
Furniture installation with green lines laser level
e) Placement of stair handrails
Not all elements of a home consist only of horizontal and vertical lines. Sometimes the designer wants to experiment with oblique layouts. In those projects, the green line laser level can be very helpful. Most of these devices have a self-leveling mechanism that must be disabled so that the beams are not projected at 90 degrees. We simply have to consult the instruction manual of the tool To know how to orient the lines at a certain angle, mount the level on a tripod and obtain the desired angle to be able to attach, for example, a handrail to the wall, as we see in the following figures.
Leveling stairs with laser level green lines
Handrail leveling with green lines laser level
f) Plumbing a door frame
The advantages offered by combined levels They are not necessarily limited to projected lines, but plumb points as well. So then it is very easy to check, for example, the magnitude of the vertical deflection of a wall or of the frame (or jamb) of a door.
For the latter case, if we are installing an interior door and we want to plumb the frame that we have just placed correctly, the first thing we have to do is arrange the laser level on the floor and direct the plumb beam vertically towards the door lintel, so that it passes about 20 cm from the side of the frame where the hinges are seated (see figure below). We use a ruler (or meter, tape measure, or laser distance meter) that we hold horizontally against the side frame at each hinge position and read the magnitude that the plumb point passes through. To achieve agreement on both hinges, we place wedges in the free space between the wall and the frame, until the laser point crosses the measurement always taken in the same place.
Plumbing a Door Frame – Using the Red Line Level
It is clear that the list of applications of a green lines laser level it does not end with these few examples. As its advantages over traditional levels of red lines, we will verify that its field of application in interiors and closed environments has practically no limit, and it can be easily adapted to whatever our imagination is capable of creating.
