Garage door springs – The facts

08/27/2013 Back To Blog

Springs provide the tension required to raise the door to your garage on and off the ground, meaning that while they may not be as obvious as a motor or a panel, they are nevertheless crucial in the day-to-day operation of your door. The following is a brief question and answer session covering a few things that many people do not know about garage door springs, and why they are so important, as well as the hazards of trying to fix them without the services of an expert.

What are the different kinds of springs?

There are two kinds of springs found in garage doors. The first type is known as extension garage door springs and the second kind are the torsion coil trampoline springs. Both have different functions within the operation of the garage door, but both are essential if you want it to be working properly.

What do they do?

Extension springs are used to counterbalance the weight of the garage door as it is being raised or lowered along the track. One extension spring is placed on either side of the garage door to provide an even counterbalancing, so when doing any sort of maintenance or repair it must be done to both.

Torsion coil trampoline springs add extra lifting force to the garage door when it is being raised off the ground. This saves the motor or your back a lot of energy, but it comes at a cost to this spring. They are kept under very high pressure, because it is that pressure which creates enough force to raise a six hundred pound door. These springs should never be handled by anyone except a highly trained expert repairman because if the pressure is removed incorrectly, severe injuries can follow.

How do you repair or replace them when they are broken?

Both extension coil and tension coil trampoline springs must be replaced with caution. They are often installed in pairs, and if one in the set is worn out or broken, it is best to replace both as the other may give out shortly afterwards. It is recommended that nobody handles a garage door spring without the knowledge and experience to do so safely, because there is some risk to the person performing the operation.

How much do new parts typically cost?

You should be able to buy a new part for about 20-30 dollars, plus installation. This goes for both torsion and extension springs. To know a price of installation, call and ask various garage door companies in your area to get a quote.