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What Do Garage Door Springs Do?

What Do Garage Door Springs Do?

August 01, 2023

While your garage door has numerous instrumental components, springs are the most essential. 

Your garage door springs’ primary purpose is to provide the required tension to maintain them in a closed position and the necessary counterbalance to enable the opener to lift them. As your doors open, the springs help bear the weight load. They feature sturdy metal construction and a coiled design that allows them to store energy used to support the door cycle.

Garage door experts match the spring size and number to the doors. For example, a one-car garage generally has lighter and fewer springs than a multicar garage with a single door. The door’s material is also a factor in spring size. Some materials, like wood, are naturally heavier than others and will often require thicker springs than a lighter-weight model.

Types of Garage Door Springs

There are two types of garage door springs — extension and torsion.

Extension springs appear on each side of the upper track, secured by safety cables. They work through counterbalance and pulley systems. As they contract, the door opens, releasing the tension. These components are often constructed with thinner-gauge metal than their torsion counterparts.

Torsion springs are long coils mounted horizontally above the door’s opening. They help lift the door by turning rather than expanding and contracting. Due to the rotation, the springs create the necessary torque to counterbalance your garage door’s weight. They’re tightly wound when the door is closed and looser when it’s open.

Which Spring Type Is Better?

Torsion springs are more common than the extension ones typical on older door systems.

The springs work independently of each other in extension-based designs. That makes it possible for one side of your door to lift faster than the other. Conversely, the springs in torsion configurations provide equal pressure to both sides of the door for a more balanced opening. 

If you want to upgrade an outdated system, garage door spring replacement from Halo Overhead Doors can help.

How Long Do Garage Door Springs Last?

The more often your entry cycles, the more wear and tear your springs undergo. Exposure to outdoor elements can also strain springs over time. On average, springs last for about 10,000 cycles. Opening and closing your doors four times a day equates to a life span of about seven years. Keeping your springs in prime operating condition with planned garage door maintenance can help extend their life spans.

The Importance of Garage Door Springs

In the simplest terms, garage door springs make it possible for your opener to cycle the door smoothly and easily. Garage doors generally weigh hundreds of pounds. Most residential door opening systems lack the horsepower to lift that amount without the spring’s assistance. The springs also help maintain stability and safe door function.

How to Tell Your Springs Need Attention

The more familiar you are with your door’s parts, the faster you’ll know something’s amiss. Common signs your springs are worn include:

  • A door that closes too quickly.
  • Noisy operation.
  • Observable rust or stretching.
  • A door that opens or closes unevenly.
  • An opener that doesn’t completely raise the door.

If you hear a loud snap, it’s likely a broken spring. Another sign of this issue is a visible gap in your springs that indicates a break.

A worn or broken spring can make your door inoperable or pose a safety risk. Garage door spring repair or replacement requires specialized tools and knowledge, so it’s best to consult a professional for help.

Get Expert Garage Door Service From the Houston Pros

Halo Overhead Doors has been the trusted Houston garage door expert since 1991. Count on our family-owned company for prompt, professional residential garage door repair service.

Request a service appointment today or contact a specialist for more information.

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