As we have seen on several occasions, distance measurement is not an easy job for the hobbyist who works with DIY or decorator; since many times it was necessary to carry heavy and bulky tape measures that also required two people to be used. With laser meters, the task of measuring heights for DIY tasks or interior decoration became simple, reliable and accessible to many pockets, for those who are experimenting with this type of measuring tools.
The laser gauge for measuring at heights
Laser distance meter
It is a device that fits in your pocket but allows you to measure more comfortably and quickly than the best tape measures. It is enough to support it on the surface of the floor, ceiling or wall to have an accurate measurement in an instant, with a maximum error of three millimeters.
Measure at DIY heights
The DIYer He usually builds custom furniture for his home: sideboards, modular, glass cabinets, wardrobes and bookshelves are some common examples. For these cases, you need to know exactly the distance between the floor and the ceiling of the room in which you will place the furniture.
Measure in heights
Before the advent of inexpensive laser meters, this task involved the use of tape measures, for which one person had to hold it against the floor while another, on a ladder, led it to contact the ceiling. The measurements were never exact, since the false square on the tape was inevitable. With the laser meter, simply place the instrument on the floor and turn it on. The measurement will immediately appear on the screen, with an accuracy that in most cases is in the order of 3 millimeters. Let’s see some practical examples of use in DIY.
Installation of guides for slats, partitions or room dividing panels
After installing the guide on the floor, use the laser distance meter to determine the correct position on the ceiling; You can use the laser beam to project into the ceiling the position of the holes needed to duplicate the floor installation. If you need complete precision, use a line laser level.
If the slats must be installed in a place where the ceiling has cuts, protrusions or artifacts that condition the installation to its geometry, you can use the laser meter to measure heights of the guide lines to install the rail. Take advantage of a remarkable feature of this instrument, which is the possibility of taking measurements dynamically (the measurement will change immediately as you move the device); You can use it to trace points to build the line where you will install the rail or guide.
Manufacture of a custom closet
Just by supporting the laser meter on the floor and aiming the beam towards the ceiling you will be able to obtain the maximum height of the cabinet. Always remember to take different measurements at distant points, to determine if the floor (or ceiling) has slopes; in that case, the maximum height of the furniture will be the minimum that you managed to obtain.
Wardrobes
If you need to draw a line on the wall that represents a given height, take the laser distance meter and progressively bring it closer to the ceiling observing the device screen. When the desired height is displayed, draw a small mark with a pencil using the bottom edge of the device. Do the same at the opposite end, and then connect both points with a line.
To determine the width of the furniture, or to mark the desired width, bring the device closer by pointing the beam towards the wall. When the desired distance is displayed on the screen, mark a small line with a pencil using the base of the instrument, as that is the zero point. Repeat on the other end and then on the ground.
Measure in heights to decorate interiors
Interior decorators will see in the laser distance meters an excellent tool to measure in heights.
Do you need to install several pendant lamps or halogen spots?
The laser distance meter It can be used to divide the length of a ceiling into several segments, at whose intersections a lamp can be hung or a spot can be installed.
Lamps
First you need to measure in heights the total length of the roof. Once that measurement is obtained, use a calculator to determine the length of the required segments. Trace the line with a pencil (if you have a line laser level handy, use it). Now use the dynamic measurement feature to find the first point; If the ceiling is three meters and you need to hang two lamps, each segment will be one meter. Upon reaching a measurement of two meters, draw a line using the bottom edge of the device (this is the zero point). Repeat the same step from the opposite end.
If you have more segments, always try to alternate between one end of the wall and the other to avoid accumulating measurement errors.
The points you drew will be the centers of each applique.
Do you need to install a plasterboard enclosure?
Once the floor to ceiling squareness has been determined, you can use the laser distance meter to measure ceiling and floor heights; If the two measurements match, you can easily calculate how many plasterboard you will need to install to completely divide the room based on dry construction or steel framing.
Installation of false ceilings
The laser distance meter for installing false ceilings (plasterboard ceilings). You only need to measure in heights the length and width of the area you need to cover. Always do it at the height where the brackets for the new ceiling will be installed.
