Everything You Need to Know About Garage Door Springs

Garage doors are not the most complicated systems out there, but they use a number of key components that can affect their performance. Among the most crucial, albeit neglected, garage door system components are the garage door springs. These springs are vital to the proper opening and closing of the garage door. Having said so, understanding as much as you can about springs can help you keep your garage door in good working order for longer. So let us take a look at the two types of garage door springs and their functions.

Types of Garage Doors Springs

Extension Springs

Extension springs are large coils of steel installed on both sides of the door, above the door’s horizontal tracks. They replace the typical rollers in tilt-up canopy garage doors. The extension spring’s length is wound up and down as the door opens or closes to counterbalance its weight, making it easy for the opener to lift and lower the massive door.

Extension springs can further be classified into two types based on their ends. 

• Open Looped 
• Double Looped
• Clipped Ends

Advantages of extension springs

The main advantage of extension springs is that they are less expensive than torsion springs. Aside from the fact that they cost less, these springs have several other distinct advantages over torsion springs. For example, they require less maintenance and are perfect for garages without enough space to install torsion springs.

Why do garage doors often have two extension springs?

Extension springs cannot store as much energy as torsion springs, so even single garage doors almost always have two of them. Another reason is security. If one extension spring fails, the other can still support the door and keep it from crashing onto someone or something. 

How long do extension springs last?

A garage door spring’s estimated lifespan is calculated in cycles (one cycle equals one complete door opening and closing). A garage door operating two cycles per day should last about 13 years. If the door is used four times a day, the extension springs will need to be replaced every six and a half years or so. If you operate your garage door three cycles a week, you can expect to get 30 years out of your extension springs.

Torsion Springs

Contrary to extension springs, torsion springs work independently and are horizontally located above the door in the center. The size, length, and thickness of the garage door torsion spring correspond to the weight and design of the door. The heavy doors require thick torsion springs. This tension rating is necessary to ensure consistent lifting and lowering of the door.

Torsion springs can further be classified into four types.

• Standard torsion spring 
• Early set torsion spring
• Steel rolling door torsion spring 
• Torque master torsion spring 

Why do some garage doors have two torsion springs?

Although one should suffice, it is not uncommon to find garage doors installed with two smaller torsion springs rather than one large spring. As with extension springs, this is for safety reasons––if one of the springs fails, the door will not fall to the ground.

How long do torsion springs last?

Torsion springs are designed to be used on doors with a greater than normal volume of openings and closings, so they are longer-lasting than their extension counterparts. Torsion springs subjected to two daily cycles should last about 20 years if properly maintained. High-quality torsion springs are known to last up to 30,000 cycles or an incredible 40 years if used twice a day. 

Garage Door Service Near Me

Looking for reliable garage doors Omaha services? Look no further than Omaha Garage Door Repair! We offer a wide range of garage door services, including garage door installation, garage door repair, and garage door maintenance. We commit to providing our customers with the best possible service, and we offer free estimates on all of our services. So if you need garage door spring replacement, give us a call today!