Torsion Vs Extension Springs on Garage Doors

Garage doors all require springs to operate, as they provide the tension and pulling power that lifts the door up on its tracks. Overall, there are two types of springs used for this: torsion springs and extension springs. Each one operates in a different manner to pull the door up, and requires different kind of installation and maintenance to keep them in working order. Today we are going to go over the basic differences between the two types, and the various benefits and drawbacks of both.

To start off, torsion springs are the most common type of garage door spring in usage nowadays. For most modern homes, torsion springs are the most efficient way to open your door, as it takes the least amount of room, operates quietly and is suitable for the garage size of most suburban homes. Torsion springs are also safer to use on double wide doors as they lift from the center, preventing any potential wobbling in the door as it gets lifted. Most homes are installed with only one spring for cost reasons, but two can be used if needed or desired.

However, all of the benefits of torsion springs come at a price - literally. Torsion springs are typically more expensive than their extension spring counterparts, both in terms of parts and installation, which can be a deterring factor when getting a brand new install or replacing an older one. A broken torsion spring is also nearly impossible to self-service, as they require special training to work with. This means that if anything does happen to go wrong, you'll be out of luck until you call a professional technician.

Extension springs are the other type of springs used on garage doors. Extension springs are installed on both tracks and pull the door up by its sides. They are not used as commonly nowadays, particularly on wider doors as the weight and balance on those can cause problems.  They are usually cheaper and easier to install, making do-it-yourself solutions a possibility for homeowners interested in saving some money, and in certain situations where there is not a lot of overhead room, they are sometimes the only solution available over a torsion spring.

But extension springs have a number of drawbacks in comparison to torsion springs. While it's possible to operate a garage door with only one torsion spring, an extension spring setup always requires two, one for each side of the door. As previously mentioned, extension springs can't be used on wider doors, and by design they take up more room than torsion springs in addition to being less aesthetically pleasing.

What type of spring is appropriate for your home, then? This depends a lot on your specific household and budget needs. In some cases, you may not even have to make a decision. If you're planning to stay only a few years in your current residence and the springs are still relatively new, it's best to just leave them as-is. Depending on your rate of usage, the average set of door springs last anywhere from 5 to 12 years, which is plenty of time if you're living in a place on a short-term basis.

On the other hand, if you're moving into an older residence or planning to stay on a long-term basis, getting the springs inspected should be the first step to ensure that they're not on their last legs. If the springs have been around for a while, a preemptive replacement may be a good idea, and if you have the budget for it, you may even want to consider replacing the spring type with the other depending on what your specific needs were. The spring is one of the most crucial components to your installation, and can affect all the other parts as well such as the tracks, cables, and even the door itself. Without a properly-functioning spring, you run the risk of having other parts failing due to unnecessary wear and tear, which ultimately costs more in the long run.

If you're not sure about your installation or whether the spring in your door is right for you, call your local garage door technician and have them come take a look. You may end up saving a lot of money by doing so!

Afficient Garage Door is a Temecula garage door company serving the entire North San Diego county. Family owned and operated, Afficient has been in the industry for over ten years with a strong track record of excellence and customer satisfaction.