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.
Torsion springs are sturdier and last longer.
Torsion springs do cost more, but generally last between 15,000 and 20,000 cycles, whereas extension springs last up to 10,000 cycles. For example, if you open your garage door 4 times a day, extension springs will last about 7 years.
Q) Why do I have two different sized springs on my garage door? A) Torsion Springs may be mismatched from the factory or from a previous replacement.
Very simply, extension springs provide a counterbalancing effect to the weight of the door and torsion springs are wound around a pipe or shaft which is attached to the door via cable drums to create torque on the shaft which creates a counterbalancing effect.
Increasing A Spring Cycle Life
Another difference between extension and torsion springs is that a torsion spring has the flexibility of increasing its cycle count. The cycle count can increase by using a heavier wire and a longer spring length.
You Can Damage the Garage Door Opener - If garage door springs are too large, they offer more strength than is required. The door will open with more force than needed, rolling up quickly and endangering its safety.
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).
Extension springs absorb and store energy as well as create a resistance to a pulling force. These springs are normally attached at both ends to other components and when these components move apart, the spring tries to bring them back together again.
Safety: Torsion springs are safer than extension springs because they are mounted above the door, which reduces the risk of injury if the spring breaks. Better balance: Torsion springs provide better balance for your garage door, which means it will operate more smoothly and efficiently.
A Door That Falls Off Its Tracks – Whether your new springs are too strong, too weak or just not the right type, one possible consequence is that they could derail your door, i.e. cause it to fall off its tracks. In such an event, anybody standing in the garage or just outside could be in very serious danger.
Garage Door Spring Replacement Cost Factors
Torsion spring replacement costs $60–$2002 to purchase the materials for a DIY project, or you will pay between $200–$3502 for a professional garage door technician to complete the repair.
Garage door extension springs can be too strong or too weak. If you select the wrong overhead garage door extension springs, you risk creating unbalanced doors. If the tension is too high, the doors won't stay closed. That's because the force of the springs retracting opens a door back up.
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.
Garage Door Extension Springs
Extension springs use extension to perform their function and are usually found in the horizontal tracks on both sides of a garage door. Extension springs are also a great alternative to torsion springs since they can be easily placed even when there is low headroom for torsion springs.
You can, but in most cases you can only use a side mounted garage door opener on your garage door if certain conditions exist and the the required parts can be installed.
An extension spring is attached to cables that will pull your garage door open. These springs open and retract as the door is opened and closed. Torsion springs operate using torque. As the garage door opens and closes, the spring unwinds in a twisting motion.
Hooke's law: The extension of a spring is directly proportional to the force applied, provided that the limit of proportionality is not exceeded.
If you notice gaps between the coils of the springs, they may need replacement. Springs can also wear out more quickly if they are too big or too small for the garage door. Look for warning signs such as the door feeling heavy or flying up too quickly.
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.
Replacing your garage door springs when only one has broken is not a good idea. It can cause extra strain on an otherwise undamaged spring, leading it to snap sooner than expected. Make sure you always replace both springs when they snap, regardless of which side snapped first.
Standard manufacturer springs typically last around 18 months. Oil-tempered springs have a longer lifespan of about 3 years. A1 Garage Door Service MaxLife springs offer the longest durability, lasting over 22 years.
Torsion springs will generally have two different colors. First, each spring will be marked with red or black. Red springs are 'right-wound springs' while black springs are 'left-wound springs'. The other color on the torsion spring is the DASMA color. The color signifies the wire size or wire gauge.
Use the winding rods to tighten the springs to the torsion bar. Torsion springs should be wound four quarter turns per foot of door height, plus an extra two turns. Once you're done winding your springs, keep a winding rod resting on the garage door header and tighten the set screws on the spring with a socket wrench.