What You Need To Know About Garage Door Springs

Your garage door springs work hard. A garage door moves up and down at least 1500 times in a year, and garage door springs are what makes it possible. So, if they need a little care, repair and maintenance, that shouldn’t be too much to ask, right? Garage door care, replacement and repairs will be much easier when you understand a little more about garage door springs.

How Garage Door Springs Work

The springs counter the force of gravity when you open and close your garage door. They make it easy to open through a tensioning system. When you close the door, they gain tension. When it’s time to open it, they release the tension, helping your door to roll up easily.

Types of Garage Door Springs

There are 2 main types of garage door springs – torsion springs and extension springs. Extension springs are attached on either side of the upper tracks. The Torsion springs are attached horizontally above the door of the garage.

Extension Springs

Most older garage doors use extension springs. They work best in an overhead garage door system. If your garage door uses extension springs, upon closing it the springs absorb the weight of the door and store it as tension/torque. When you open the door, the extension springs release this tension to lift the door with ease.

Typically, your garage door has two extension springs on each side of the door. Extension springs are much cheaper than torsion springs. They save a homeowner money in repair and maintenance. But cost and money aren’t the only factors at play here. Smaller garages technically would make it impossible to configure torsion springs above the garage door.

In such cases, extension springs are the only feasible option. Besides, because they come in pairs, one spring may hold the door (and prevent nasty accidents) in case the other breaks.

Torsion Springs

Torsion springs grew massively popular after the extension springs. They are fixed horizontally above the garage entry. They store more torque compared to extension springs. Torsion springs are also less noisy.

The drawback is their price. Torsion spring installations, repairs, and replacements tend to cost more than extension springs. But their durability is exceptional. Extension springs can last on average for 13 years if you open the door twice a day. For the same number of cycles, torsion springs can last for about 20 years.

Torsion springs can be used on any style of garage door. It could be one large torsion spring or two smaller ones. The advantage of two torsion springs is that they enhance garage door safety.

Garage Door Brackets

Garage door springs are anchored on brackets located at the bottom of the door. The springs are connected to the brackets via the safety cables. These parts carry a lot of tension too, so watch out. Brackets can lead to accidents if they are faulty or if they are removed.

Out of Balance Springs

Out of balance garage door springs are caused by worn-out rubber moldings and old doors. Because of that, the door may not open or lock properly. That can cause an accident or make your home vulnerable to burglary. Door Dorks can help with the maintenance and alignment or your springs.

Let’s Take Care of Your Garage Door Issues.

At Door Dorks, we are experts in garage door installations, maintenance and repairs. We have the right skills and tools to do an excellent job for you. Our services are affordable and reliable. Contact us for same-day garage door services.