Your springs should be inspected regularly and replaced periodically to ensure your door is always working at its best. There are two main types of springs that your garage door might have: torsion springs and extension springs.
Do you know which type your garage door has?
Torsion Springs
A torsion spring gets its name from the torque created to lift and lower the door, whether by hand or using a motor and garage door opener. The spring coils around the shaft, creating tension on the cables to lift the door and releasing tension to lower the door.
Torsion springs come in different lengths and sizes, determined by the garage door’s size and dimensions. Larger doors can have up to four torsion springs to bear the garage door’s weight, height, and track radius.
Extension Garage Door Springs
A garage door with extension springs typically has two springs, one on each side of the door that runs parallel to the track. Extension springs come with one of three end-types:
- Open-looped ends: Easy to replace, does not require the pulley to be disassembled or the eyebolt opened.
- Double-looped ends: Stronger than open-looped because there are two coils directly attached to the eyebolt and pulley, but more challenging to replace.
- Clipped ends: The most durable and the most difficult when replacing, they usually have the most extended lifespan with the least stress on the springs.
With an extension spring garage door, the springs extend as the door opens, creating a counterbalance to provide support. When closing, the springs create tension to lower the door at an even tempo.
Safety cables are installed with extension springs, which prevent the springs from flying due to a malfunction or if the spring breaks.
Which Garage Door Springs are the Best?
When comparing extension springs and torsion springs, extension springs are cheaper but can be more dangerous. Even with safety cables, having exposed springs can potentially cause harm, whether through failure or someone being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Plus, extension springs require more maintenance over their lifespan than torsion springs.
Though torsion springs are more expensive initially, they last longer and can handle more weight. Doors with torsion springs are generally easier to open and close with a smoother transition. Homeowners looking to sell will also get a more significant ROI from their garage door replacement with torsion springs.
When to Hire a Professional
Whether you have a door with torsion or extension springs, both work under extreme tension. It can be dangerous for the average homeowner to fix or replace a spring system. We highly recommend working with a trained professional like Door Tech Garage Door Services in Gambrills, Maryland, to handle all your garage door service and replacement needs for your own safety.
At Door Tech, we can service your garage door to ensure your springs are in great working order. If you’re ready to replace your garage door or need a new set of springs, we can also help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.