How many years do garage door springs last?

Author: Brian Zboncak V  |  Last update: Saturday, October 18, 2025

When properly installed, your springs can last approximately 10,000 cycles. One cycle includes both the opening and closing of the door. Technically speaking, your springs should last between 7 to 10 years. However, this depends on how often you use your garage door.

How often should you replace garage door springs?

The longevity of garage door springs is determined by cycles. Basic manufacturer springs typically last for 5,000 cycles, while oil-tempered springs outperform them with a lifespan of about 10,000 cycles.

How do I know if I need a new garage door spring?

Here are five signs that a set of springs is ready to go.
  1. You Hear the Garage Door Opener Strain. ...
  2. The Door Slams Shut Without Warning. ...
  3. You Hear a Loud Popping Sound When the Door Is Closed. ...
  4. The Door Feels Heavier. ...
  5. You Can't Rest the Door in the Mid-Level Position.

How much should it cost to replace a garage door spring?

Expect to spend $120–$350 to replace your garage door spring, including material costs and professional installation. While these heavy-duty springs are built to last, they'll eventually need replacement due to wear and tear. Garage door spring replacement isn't your average DIY project, either.

Do garage door springs weaken over time?

While the most common reason garage doors springs break is general wear and tear, on average, garage door springs typically last between 7 to 9 years or approximately 10,000 cycles (one cycle is a full open and close of the door).

How Long Does a Garage Door Spring Last?

What is the life expectancy of garage door springs?

Standard manufacturer garage door springs have an average lifecycle of about 10,000 cycles, equivalent to approximately 48 months when used daily. Oil-tempered garage door springs show improved endurance, lasting for about 15,000 cycles, which translates roughly to a 10-year lifespan with regular use.

Should I replace both garage door springs at the same time?

Most garage door companies will offer a better price if you choose to replace both springs at the same time, so as far as cost is concerned replacing both springs is often a smart long-term financial move but it is not necessary if you prefer a lower cost up-front.

Can I replace a garage door spring myself?

Replacing a garage door spring yourself isn't impossible, but it does require special knowledge about the springs and how a garage door works.

What is the difference between torsion spring and extension spring?

As their names imply, torsion springs use torque, while extension springs use the build-up of energy in their springs to lift the garage door. Garage doors operate on a counterbalance system, meaning they utilize the energy in their mechanisms to pull the garage door open and close it again.

Can you open a garage door with a broken spring?

As professionals in the industry, we advise you do not attempt to open your garage door if the spring is broken.

What is the life expectancy of a garage door?

Though many factors contribute to a garage door's lifespan, a typical garage door will last around 15 and 30 years. Your garage door's lifetime will vary depending on the type and brand you choose. Factors like the weather, environment, usage and maintenance schedule also impact the longevity of your garage door.

Does Lowe's carry garage door springs?

We have a full range of garage door parts, such as brackets, locks, springs and cables, available at Lowe's.

How long does it take to replace garage springs?

Replacing garage door springs takes 30 minutes to 1 hour. New garage door springs last 7 to 14 years, or between 10,000 and 20,000 up-and-down cycles. It is important to hire a professional to help, because changing a garage door spring can be dangerous.

Should you lubricate your garage door spring?

The best way to keep your garage door springs lasting throughout the years is to lubricate them 1-2 times annually with either white lithium or silicone-based spray. These can easily be found at a local hardware store.

How to prolong the life of a garage door spring?

How Can You Make Springs Last Longer?
  1. Keep rust and corrosion at bay. Regular lubrication plays a big role in preventing rust and corrosion, but it has to be done with the right lubricant. ...
  2. Keep your garage door properly balanced. ...
  3. Keep road salt out of your garage. ...
  4. Keep up with regularly scheduled maintenance.

What is the warranty on garage door springs?

The typical basic replacement spring warranty can range from 90 days to five years, while the labor warranty ranges from 30 days to one year regardless of the spring's cycle rating and parts warranty.

How much does a garage door spring cost?

A garage door spring replacement can cost as little as $150 yet up to $350, with an average cost falling around $250. Replacing the spring won't break the bank, but several factors influence the final price.

How many years does a torsion spring last?

Torsion springs usually have 5,000-20,000 cycles which means they can last between 7 to 12 years (and even more). Extension Springs' Life Expectancy: Extension springs are installed at the side of the door and act extend, rather than contract (as does the torsion spring).

How much does it cost to change an extension spring to torsion spring?

Extension Spring Conversion Pricing

Typically, the cost of converting a garage door from extension springs to torsion springs can range from $600 to $800 or more, including the cost of materials and labor.

Do I need to replace both garage door springs if one breaks?

Make sure you always replace both springs when they snap, regardless of which side snapped first. A broken spring without a repaired or replaced second spring can be problematic – as the garage door will now be subject to extra pressure on only one side.

How to buy the correct garage door spring?

Determining the appropriate torsion spring for your garage door system is based on a few factors that include:
  1. Wire Size.
  2. Inside Diameter.
  3. Overall length.
  4. Wind Direction.
  5. Weight of Garage Door.

How to check garage door springs?

Identifying is garage door spring is broken or faulty
  1. Check to see if the springs are visibly worn out.
  2. Check to see if there's a separation in the spring.
  3. Check to see if there is a loss of tension in the springs. You can usually tell if there is a loss of tension if the springs have become stretched out or elongated.

Is replacing a garage door spring easy?

If your garage door has a broken garage door spring, it is reasonably straightforward to replace if you are an experienced DIY enthusiast. The caveat is that you must be extremely careful when carrying out this procedure, as not following the correct safety measures can be dangerous.

How often do garage door springs fail?

The most common reason your garage door springs break is wear and tear. When properly installed, your springs can last approximately 10,000 cycles. One cycle includes both the opening and closing of the door. Technically speaking, your springs should last between 7 to 10 years.

How to manually open a garage door with a broken spring?

6 Steps To Opening Garage Door with Broken Spring
  1. Step 1: Disconnect the Garage Door Opener. Locate the emergency release handle on the garage door opener. ...
  2. Step 2: Secure the Door. ...
  3. Step 3: Have Helpers. ...
  4. Step 4: Lift the Door Manually. ...
  5. Step 5: Lift in Sections. ...
  6. Step 6: Secure the Open Door.

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