Garage door springs are responsible for lifting your overhead door without much hassle. The overhead door’s springs work alongside the opener and several other garage door parts to make life all the easier. Though frequent repairs are always recommended, you can get by less than stellar door hinges or faulty panels but one garage door part that should always be in tip-top shape is the spring. If the garage door spring is causing issues, the entire door is in danger of not working and potentially breaking, which can lead to costly repairs or installations
When the time comes to garage door spring repair or replacement, homeowners will find two types: torsion and extension. While both types of overhead door springs will succeed in getting the job done, each boasts its own unique function and design.
Torsion Springs:
Most home garages feature torsion springs. Attached to other parts of the door, torsion springs use torque to open and close the overhead garage door. Torsion springs will rotate and turn as they’re used. Because of the way they’re used and how sturdy they are, torsion springs will last longer than most expect. You can expect to use torsion springs for upwards of 15,000 cycles. Because of torque and their rotating motion, torsion springs are extremely smooth on the door when they open. Expect very little noise or stuttering as the door opens. This is beneficial as the steady motion forced the overhead garage door in place, which can prevent future repairs. Because they’re so stable and work with the garage door opener, torsion springs won’t cause much wear and tear.
Extension Springs:
Extension springs are still quite common, especially with the older garage doors. What notably sets extension garage door springs apart is that they expand and contract when doors are opened and closed. This design choice can be problematic as extension springs can get weaker and less exact as time goes on, meaning they won’t last as long as torsion springs. Beyond that, extension springs require cables to be attached, which means homeowners will have to another garage door part to their set up. Extension springs are far from stable, meaning they can force your door to jitter as it opens or closes. This can cause your garage door to undergo significant wear and tear.
Garage Door Spring Tips
It’s recommended in most cases that homeowners purchase and install torsion garage door springs. They’re costlier than extension springs but will last longer and are known to be the safer option. Consult a garage door installation company to get their assessment on which is best for your home.
Before you install brand new garage door springs, consider adding a secondary spring to your system. There’s no harm in having extra support. While it will cost more, having an additional spring will take the load off the other, making both do the heavy lifting together. Double the springs, double the savings.
DIY Garage Door Spring Repair Is a Recipe for Disaster
To make life easier for all parties involved, it should be noted that DIY garage door spring repair is a bad idea. Why? Springs are under heavy amounts of pressure, which means that those who are not trained with utilizing and repairing them could potentially damage the door itself, forcing a replacement – or worse, injure themselves. Consult the best garage door repair companies in your area to get the job done for you. When your work with professionals, you’ll rest easy knowing that you’re getting quality treatment. If something goes wrong, they will be insured and can offer replacements if necessary. Professionals will also be able to help you find the best springs, whether they’re extension or torsion.