The springs on your garage control the opening and closing of the door. Garage doors either have extension springs or torsion springs. Extension springs require more parts to install, and you can find them more in older homes. Torsion springs are much more common and are taking over residential doors because they allow for more controlled movement.

1. EXTENSION SPRINGS

The extension springs in your door store energy by stretching or extending. Typically, there are two extension springs for every garage door, and you can find them on either side of the door, running parallel to the horizontal track. Because extension springs require more parts for installation, you have to give those extra pieces attention as well. You’ll need to evaluate the condition of your sheaves — the grooved wheels — and ensure there are no tears or other forms of damage to your cables. 

Extension springs can be further identified as:

• Open looped: Open looped springs are the easiest to replace. 
• Double looped: These springs are stronger than open loops but harder to replace. 
• Clipped ends: These are the most durable extension springs. Though they are common for garage doors, they’re the most difficult to replace. 

2. TORSION SPRINGS

Torsion springs are always above your garage door. These springs are right above the opening, and you can find them on the torsion bar. Instead of expanding, they turn to open your door and distribute the door’s weight evenly to reduce shaking as it opens. They hold tension when they’re wound up and release tension as your door rises. Depending on how heavy the door is and how many entries you have, you can find between one and four tension springs in your garage.

Torsion springs can be classified as:

• Standard torsion: Heavier doors use two standard springs and lighter doors typically only need one. You can usually find these springs in residential homes. 
• Early set: These springs are located in the middle of the torsion shaft and are similar to standard torsion springs but require different hardware. 
• Steel rolling: Typically seen in commercial buildings, professionals install steel rolling torsion springs with a torsion barrel. 
• Torque master: Torque master springs are the safest torsion springs because they’re inside the shaft. 

Torsion springs are safer to use than extension springs, and you’ll find that you can maintain your garage door much easier. While extension springs are out in the open, torsion springs are enclosed in a tube and don’t store as much energy, allowing for more use and less opportunity for damage. 

If you need help with your garage door, the experienced professional at Master Pro Garage Door are available to assist you.

Contact us to set up a service appointment today. 443-619-7759