Your garage door springs are one of the most important parts of your garage door system. The door’s smooth opening and closing are made possible by the springs, which balance the door’s weight. If your springs break or wear out, your door will become difficult to operate and potentially unsafe. That’s why it’s important to choose the right type of springs for your specific garage door. The two most common types of springs are torsion springs and extension springs.
Measure Your Garage Door To Determine Spring Type
The first step is to measure your existing garage door to determine which type of spring system it uses. There are a few ways to tell the difference between torsion spring vs extension spring systems:
- Torsion spring doors have a solid shaft running parallel to the top of the door opening. The springs will be mounted on this shaft. Extension spring doors have two springs mounted above the horizontal tracks.
- Torsion spring doors typically have a cable drum at each end of the spring shaft. The lift cables that raise and lower the door are attached to these drums. Extension spring doors have lift cables attached directly to the end of each spring.
- Torsion springs are usually mounted directly above the door opening. Extension springs are mounted to either side of the door opening.
- Torsion spring systems typically have a spring adjustment bolt or winding rod sticking out of the end of the spring shaft. Extension spring systems have no such adjustment bolt.
Once you’ve measured your door and identified whether you have a torsion spring or extension spring system, you can purchase replacement springs that will properly fit your specific door.
Extension Springs: Simple But Less Durable
Extension springs are the simpler of the two types. They run parallel to the horizontal tracks and help lift the door via lift cables. Extension springs tend to require more frequent replacement than torsion springs, as they wear out more quickly under the heavy load of a garage door.
However, extension springs are usually easier and less expensive to replace than torsion springs. They also pose less risk of injury to installation since the springs are under less tension. Extension springs work best for smaller sectional doors. For larger, heavier doors, torsion springs are a better choice.
Torsion Springs: Longer Lasting But More Difficult To Replace
Torsion springs mount directly above the garage door opening. They provide lifting power through the spring shaft and cable drums. Torsion springs typically last much longer than extension springs, often up to 10,000 cycles. They are also better for heavier doors since the springs themselves don’t have to lift the weight of the door.
However, torsion springs are under extreme tension and can be dangerous to install. They also tend to cost more than extension springs and usually require professional installation. Torsion spring replacement can cost $200 to $500 per spring depending on the size. But since they last up to 5-10 times longer than extension springs, torsion springs may save you money in the long run.
To Wrap Up
Choose extension springs if you have a lighter door, want the lowest upfront cost, and are comfortable installing the springs yourself. For a heavier commercial or residential door, torsion springs are a better choice for their durability and lifting power, though they do require professional installation. With the right spring type and maintenance, you can keep your garage door opening and closing smoothly for years to come.