What Types of Garage Door Springs Are There?
Springs are the most important element of your garage door system. Sure, the power gets it going and the motor means you don’t have to lift the door yourself but without the springs, the power and motor are useless. You may already know this if you’re shopping for replacement spring options. You’ll be happy to know that you do have options, we’ll explain more in this post where we answer the question, “What types of garage door springs are there?”
What Types of Garage Door Springs Are There?
There are three types of garage door springs:
- Extension Springs (Visible)
- Torsion Springs (Visible)
- Torquemaster Springs (Not Visible)
The two most common springs are extension and torsion springs, we’ll start with these.
Extension Springs
Extension springs↗ are installed on sectional garage doors above the horizontal tracks overhead. There is at least one spring on each side of the door. Extension springs store energy through extension. As a garage door lowers the extension springs stretch gaining tension from the weight of the door.
The springs operate independently of each other but the weight of the door must be equally distributed among the springs to function properly. An unbalanced door can move up and down the track in a jerky motion causing additional stress to the tracks and door opener. It’s important for all the springs to be in good condition to maximize the life of the garage door system.
Extension springs can be classified based on the type of ends:
- Open Looped
- Double Looped
- Clipped Ends
Torsion Springs
Torsion springs↗ are also installed on sectional doors. This type of system mounts the springs on a metal shaft (torsion shaft) that is installed above the garage door opening.
There should be at least one visible spring on a standard torsion spring system but some can require up to four springs. The total number of springs on any type of garage door (any type of spring) depends on the weight and height of the door as well as the length and strength of the spring. While extension springs stretch, torsion springs are tensioned or wound and locked in relation to the assembly.
The energy in the torsion springs is distributed equally across the metal shaft. When the door is being opened the drums begin to spin (powered by the force of the spring) and the cables attached also spin to lift the door.
Torsion springs used in a standard garage are classified as:
- Standard torsion springs
- Early set torsion springs
TorqueMaster Springs
TorqueMaster springs↗ are actually a type of torsion spring. These springs were designed to provide a safer alternative to standard torsion or extension springs. Unlike standard torsion or extension springs, TorqueMaster springs are enclosed inside the torsion shaft. They also have winding cones similar to torsion springs but instead of being wound with winding bars, TorqueMaster springs are wound with a power drill.
Heritage Garage Door has served Southern California homeowners for over 30 years. Explore our website to learn more about us or contact us to schedule a repair, replacement, or installation service.
