Garage door springs play an important role in the opening and closing of your garage door. Without them, your garage door would slam to the ground when you close it. Once closed, you would struggle to open it back up. After all, garage doors can weigh up to 400lbs or more. Springs are responsible for controlling and offsetting this weight, allowing your garage door to open and close smoothly.

Despite the constant strain they’re put under, you can expect them to last a while.

On average, garage door springs can last 7-12 years or 100,000 cycles. Of course, the specifics can vary depending on the weight of the garage door, general maintenance, surrounding environment, and the type of springs being used. Regardless, if you live in a home for a decade or more, there’s a good chance you’ll have to replace your garage door springs. Alternatively, if you renovate your garage and/or update your door, you may want to consider adding new springs as well.

The question is, which type of springs do you get?

The Different Types of Garage Door Springs

You may not know this, but there are actually quite a few options for garage door springs out there. There are open looped springs, clipped ends, EZ set springs, and more. However, all of these varieties fall under two primary types: extension springs and torsion springs.

Extension springs are what you probably picture when you think of a spring. When the garage door is closed, the springs extend, which stores energy. When the door is opened, this energy helps pull the door up. Extension springs are typically placed on each side of the door, running parallel with the track.

Torsion springs are metal coils that are placed on a shaft directly above the garage door. For smaller garage doors, one torsion spring is often enough. For larger doors, multiple springs may be needed.

Torsion springs are the most popular option on today’s market. Though extension springs are generally cheaper upfront, torsion springs are known to last longer, and they provide more power.

Torsion Spring
A Torsion Spring

Installing New Springs

When updating your garage door springs, safety is very important. Garage doors weigh hundreds of pounds. Meanwhile, springs carry a lot of tension in them. One wrong action, and someone could be seriously injured. That’s why it’s best to leave garage door spring installation to a professional.

At Springfield Overhead Door, we have a wide variety of quality garage door springs, and we also offer professional installation. For all of your overhead door needs in the Dayton area, including garage door spring sales and installation, contact Springfield Overhead Door today!