Understanding what are the different types of garage door springs is more important than you realize. It can make or break your door, and can either cause you a lot of money for replacements or save you a huge amount for only minor repairs.
What are the Different Types of Garage Door Springs
Generally there’s a broad range on what are the different types of garage door springs, plus various spring types and sub-types, but the two most popular ones are torsion springs and extensions springs. Knowing the mechanics of these two types helps a lot in how to tell if garage door spring is broken.
Garage Door Springs
Most likely a lot of people don’t give much attention to the springs of their garage doors. This neglect is unfair and can cause homeowners a lot of money because it’s the most important part of your garage door because it allows your door to lower and raise with ease. So it will do us good to know the spring type, height and winding direction. When something’s wrong with a garage door spring, a repair service is typically required. Garage door experts help with how to measure garage door springs.
It’s also important to understand garage door spring winding direction so that you get a sense of whether your garage door is still functioning as it should. What makes it easy to open and close is that the springs offset the weight of the door. For instance, if it weighs 150 pounds, you need a spring force of 150 pounds to pull in the opposite direction. Springs that torque or stretch play a crucial part in maintaining the door’s balance. Now that we know a little about garage door spring winding direction, let’s take a look at garage door spring options.
Torsion Springs
There are between one and four torsion springs on each garage door. Being able to measure the torsion spring will help you identify the right type. This number will depend on the corresponding strength, size, and weight of the door. These springs are installed on the metal shaft directly above the opening of the door. How to tell if garage door spring is broken? There’s a visible gap that you’d see because the springs unwind when they break.
Extension Springs
They are named such because they store energy by stretching or extending. The weight that’s lifted off the horizontal track increases when the door closes –adding tension to the stretched springs. There are generally two extension springs in every door. Each spring separately provides tension to each of the opposite ends. How to tell if garage door spring is broken? Uneven force distribution causes the door to walk up and down the opening or the door opens only about 6 inches and gets stuck.
Questions
What are the Springs on a Garage Door?
Torsion spring system is the most common type. The springs are horizontally mounted above the door’s opening. The cables attached to the door’s bottom corners cause the springs to wind up as the door comes down. This winding creates stored energy which makes opening the door easier.
Should you Replace Both Garage Door Springs at the Same Time?
Absolutely have both replaced if your garage door has two springs pulling it up. If one broke first, the second will definitely follow –typically within 6 months. To save money and time, have the repair company replace both springs while they’re there.
How Long does a Garage Door Spring Last?
The average life of a spring is 7- 9 years with 4 cycles a day = total 10,000 cycles, but garage doors are now being used more and more as the front door. Since this drastically increases daily cycles, springs may only last 4-6 years. Very rarely, springs can break in as short as within a year.
In Conclusion
What are the different types of garage door springs? There are various types, but the two most commonly used are torsion springs and extension springs. It’ll save you money with damage detection and repair when you’re familiar with each type so that you understand which one is best for your garage door.