Box Beam Levels: What Are They, How to Use Them and Selecting the Best One

Specialty construction craftsmen, such as carpenters and masons, have work geared towards efficiently engineering structural plans, in order to make them a reality. However, in the construction business, there are many tools needed before the materialization of your project begins, much less finishes.

One of the most basic tools used by construction professionals is the box level. Levels help ensure the construction, or frame being worked upon, is structurally balanced and vertically aligned.

Box levels are a type of spirit level tool used by construction site workers, among others. They feature a sealed acrylic casing, where the vial fluid and the air bubble are contained, all positioned for the best accuracy.

Box levels come in different sizes and designs, catering to every type of project. The greatest level of accuracy in such spirit levels is within 0.3 mm/m (0.017°, 0.0003 in./in.) in standard and less than 0.5 mm/m (0.029°) in an inverted position, and only a few companies, such as SOLA, succeed in meeting these pinpointed standards.

Box levels aid in multiple uses such as repairing and installing doors, working on windows, walls and floors, building structural framing and more. They are widely used by framers and carpenters when remodeling or beginning a project from scratch.

Each vial on a box level has two marks, with the bubble sitting in between the two points. These marks are used to see if a surface is level or plumb. There are two ways to use these marks on a box level: horizontally or vertically.

Place the level on the horizontal surface and keep the level steady. The bubble will then move between the two marks of the vial until it is stable.

If the bubble shows up on the left side of the vial’s marks, it means the left side of the object is too high and vice versa if the bubble shows on the right side of the marks. For an object to be perfectly level, the bubble needs to be exactly centered between the two vial marks.

Vertical levels are for measuring upright surfaces such as doors and walls. Once again, the surface is deemed ‘vertical’ if the bubble shows up exactly centered between the vial’s marks.

Box levels come with different features and characteristics, including temperature resistance, durability and enhanced vial visibility offering greater accuracies. Selecting the best box level may be a challenge for construction. However, SOLA offers a variety of levels to suit all construction needs.

The SOLA BIG RED box level is ideal for users with durability concerns and comes in their standard (BIG RED) and magnetic (BIG REDM) and in different lengths. These heavy-duty box beam levels work seamlessly and consist of two-material end caps to prevent permanent damage, or future inaccuracies, in case of drops.

SOLA levels have a single measuring surface to allow for high accuracy and a highly convenient user experience.

The SOLA FOCUS vial includes improved visibility for bubbles, resulting in faster, easier measurements. The vial also includes an increased magnification of 60% to help you capture more accurate measurements.

The SOLA BIG RED levels work well in any environment. Due to their conducting properties, electricity does not affect the bubble and the bubble retains its shape readily for longer.

If you want more ways to measure level and plumb than just vials, consider using a digital box beam level. SOLA produces a digital level that contains our FOCUS vials for a highly precise tool.

SOLA’s Digital Box Beam Level contains the same initial features as regular SOLA levels, including SOLA FOCUS vials. However, its unique characteristics include a combination of high durability, high accuracy, acrylic vials and a digital display for increased functionality.

The digital beam box level’s electronic features include an adjustable display that presents measurements in percentages (%), degrees, in/ft and mm/m, and has a “hold” function for storing measurements and angles.

Plus, the level’s audio signal guidance becomes helpful in conditions of extremely low visibility. The digital module can also be used in an inverted position, to view and record measurements when working overhead. And SOLA’s Digital Box Beam Level comes with its own portable carrying case.

Box beam levels have allowed users to create accurate and level construction projects for years. Their levels’ precision allows for accurate execution of projects, ensuring that the job is always done right.