Who would have thought that a garage door spring is one of the most important parts of your garage door? Most people don’t realize this, but a garage door spring plays a big role in its functionality. In fact, it would be very difficult to open and close your garage door without it. A broken spring will cause problems, so it’s crucial for you to know how it works and how to keep it in good shape.
Today, let’s take a closer look at what garage door springs are, the types available, and the installation required to help you maintain your garage door properly.
- What Is a Garage Door Spring?
- Types of Garage Door Springs
- How Long Do Garage Door Springs Last
- How to Install Garage Door Springs
What Is a Garage Door Spring?
A garage door spring is an essential component that gives your garage door its lifting power. It is a large coil of metal that’s tightly wound, helping it to counterbalance the garage door’s weight and making it easier for you to open and close it.
Garage doors with at least two springs are usually considered “balanced.” The springs work together to evenly distribute the door’s weight, therefore not requiring as much lifting power from the opener.
How Does It Work?
Springs are designed to work by storing and releasing energy. When garage doors open, the springs unwind and release energy, which helps to lift the garage door. When garage doors close, the springs wind back up and store energy.
This process is repeated every time you open or close the garage door. It’s important to mention that springs work in combination with garage door openers. The spring alone cannot open a garage door.
Types of Garage Door Springs
Extension Springs
Extension springs are the most common type of garage door spring. You find them above the garage door on each side, and they look like large, coiled-up rubber bands. They’re, fortunately, easy to repair and replace.
Extension springs work by stretching out when the garage door is opened and contracting when the garage door is closed. They’re under a lot of tension and can be dangerous if they break.
Torsion Springs
Torsion springs are on the garage door’s header, right above the garage door. They are usually more heavy-duty than extension springs and can last up to 20,000 cycles (about ten years).
Torsion springs work by twisting when the garage door is opened and contracting when the garage door is closed. They don’t require as much headroom as extension springs, so they’re ideal for garage doors with a low ceiling.
How Long Do Garage Door Springs Last
The average garage door spring has a lifespan of 10,000 cycles. In other words, you can open and close your garage door an average of 5 times a day, 365 days a year, for about a decade before you need to replace them.
But garage door springs don’t always last that long if you live in an area with high humidity or if you use your garage door more often than normal. It’s also worth noting that if you live near the beach, your garage door is more prone to corrosion or rusting.
How to Install Garage Door Springs
Extension Springs
- Loosen the set screws on the bracket that mounts the garage door to the horizontal track to remove it.
- Unhook the garage door from the frame and attach the garage door spring to the garage door’s horizontal track on the opposite side of the garage door.
- Hook the garage door spring onto the bracket on the other side of the garage door.
- Tighten the set screws on the bracket to secure the garage door spring.
Torsion Springs
- Remove and disconnect the garage door’s center support bracket and the garage door cables from the bottom brackets on each side.
- Install the springs according to the manufacturer’s instructions and ensure they’re properly balanced.
- Connect the garage door spring to the garage door bracket on each side of the garage door.
- Install the garage door’s center support bracket and garage door cables.
Can You DIY Garage Door Spring Installation?
Yes, but it’s always best to leave garage door repairs and replacements to professionals. Garage door springs are incredibly tense, making them dangerous to work with. Plus, garage door spring installation is a two-person job. You must not risk injury by trying to do it yourself.
Garage Door Spring Installation Experts
If you need to install or replace your garage door springs, call the experts at Shepherd Shoreline. We have the experience and expertise to get the job done right, quickly, and safely. Call us at (231) 780-2847 to schedule a consultation today.