Now that you know the difference between each spring you can go out to your garage and identify the current system.
Torsion vs extension springs for garage doors.
Torsion spring are the newer spring system in garage doors.
The extension spring looks like the old fashion box spring you see in mattresses.
They offer greater overall balance making it easier to open and close your garage door.
Because extension springs are usually much cheaper they are often the garage door spring solution in most residential construction projects.
It is important to note however with more exposed parts they re also more dangerous.
Coating a torsion spring makes it last even longer than a regular torsion spring.
For example if you open your garage door 4 times a day extension springs will last about 7 years.
You can do the math on the torsion springs.
To start with lets discuss what torsion springs are and what extension springs are and how each work to.
It only gets better from there.
Double automated doors usually feature torsion springs.
Coated torsion springs are best.
Then you have garage door extension springs.
Torsion springs are used for this purpose as well but are a more refined and sophisticated type of spring which is gaining in popularity.
By contrast torsion springs are able to support more weight and last twice longer.
Torsion springs are sturdier and last longer.
Bar torsion tube mounted on the header on the inside of the garage door opening.
Extension springs can vary in tension during the door s operation.
Torsion springs vs extension springs.
Torsion springs do cost more but generally last between 15 000 and 20 000 cycles whereas extension springs last up to 10 000 cycles.
Most overhead garage doors feature extension springs but you can always request torsion springs if you want.
Do you see all of that.
Open and close your garage door.
Which garage door springs are best.
And with fewer exposed parts they re also safer to.
Torsion springs are safer than extension springs and often last twice as long.
Why are torsion springs safer.
Torsion springs have lots of benefits if your budget and the construction of your garage allows choose torsion springs.
In a torsion spring system there is a spring.
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.
For example when opening the garage door there may be a larger amount of tension initially which ebbs away towards the end.
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.
Which garage door springs are best.
For a tighter budget choose extension springs they are more affordable and are used in most residential construction projects.