A Guide to Laser Levels: The Different Types and their Applications

A laser level is a control measuring tool used in construction and surveying. It can be fixed to a tripod and then leveled according to the device's accuracy. Laser levels project a fixed red or green beam along the vertical or horizontal axis. There are several different types of laser levels, and picking the right one for the task is essential to its success. The most common types of laser levels are dot and line lasers, grade and pipe lasers. These measuring tools can be used for many applications and are considered a necessary instrument in many industries, as well as home use. Their uses can vary from outdoor and indoor applications.

Some outdoor applications of laser levels include site layout, basic surveying, calculating elevation and plumbing, while indoor applications include aligning cabinets, shelves, trim, etc. leveling floors, checking height of windows and doors and measuring distance between two objects. These measuring tools were initially designed to quicken the setting up of the workplace. They're easy to use and reliable, and their accuracy is far superior to that of spirit levels, especially when it comes to measuring longer distances.

Before you invest in any type of measuring equipment, you need to first decide whether hiring or buying is the better option for you. This will come down to how often you intend on using the tool and what you'll be using it on. If you're going to use it regularly, you'll want to buy one, but if you think you're only going to need it for a job or two, you might prefer to hire. If you're going the buying route, there are a few things you'll have to take into account to make sure you get the best product.

These things include accuracy, whether you want a manual or auto (self leveling) laser, whether its for indoor or outdoor use, and whether you want a laser with a red or green beam. Auto lasers are recommended if you want the laser to do most of the legwork for you. These models will give you a true level line by themselves, and you can stop their operation if disturbed. Manual lasers require some setting up, and they can be as accurate as their auto counterparts. However, once you experience interruption, they'll keep running. This makes them better suited for small projects.

As briefly aforementioned, there are a couple of different types of laser levels available, all of which feature different qualities suited to meet specific needs. So if you need a laser level for indoor use, you'll find that line or dot lasers are the best suited type. For outdoor use, on the other hand, you should consider a rotary laser. Then pipe lasers are used for plumbing and pipes, and dumpy lasers are best suited for surveying. Rotary lasers are the most popular type, as they're very versatile and advanced and can be used for a wide range of applications both indoors and outdoors.

Rotary lasers are capable of sending out a 360° beam creating accurate leveling or chalk lines from which to work. This is useful for a wide range of applications, including aligning, tiling, plumbing walls, leveling floors, basic survey work, aligning kitchen units, site layout, calculating grades and the list goes on. Once you get this laser, you'll need to set it up, and the best way to set it up is with the help of a tripod, so you should take the cost of a tripod as well when considering your budget for this type of laser. 

Once you set it up, you'll need to turn it on. Ideally, you'll want a self-leveling model so you don't need to calibrate the measurements, which will also result in more accurate measurements. Once this is done you can start measuring by pointing the laser where you want it to be. In the world of laser levels, you get what you pay for, so the more expensive a model is, the more features it probably will have. 

For surveying, a dumpy level, also known as site or automatic levels are the best type of laser level. These tools are tried and trusted members of any surveying or construction team. You have to look through an optical eyepiece to measure against a tape measure or a staff placed at the point measured, which is a technique useful to surveyors as well as construction teams. You'll want the level is securely placed on a tripod, preferably, and that the bubble is level. This can be adjusted with the help of leveling screws. Then, you need to sight the instrument by looking through the eyepiece and focus on the tape measure or staff that you placed at the chosen point. Some models can do some auto leveling on their own, so it's best to check the spec sheet to see whether the one you choose has this feature.