Guide to Garage Door Springs: Torsion vs. Extension | Greenwood Garage Door Co.

 

 

Homeowner Guide

Everything You Need to Know About Garage Door Springs

By Greenwood Garage Door Co.  

Your garage door spring does more heavy lifting than you might think — literally. Without it, that several-hundred-pound door wouldn't budge. Understanding how springs work, when they fail, and what to do about it can save you time, money, and a lot of frustration.

Torsion vs. extension springs

Torsion springs

Most common

Mounted horizontally above the door opening on a metal shaft. They work by twisting to store energy as the door closes, then releasing it to assist opening.

Lifespan~10,000 cycles

Best forHeavy / wide doors

Count1–2 springs

SafetyContained on shaft

Extension springs

Older homes

Run along the horizontal tracks on both sides of the door. They stretch when the door closes and pull it back up when opening. Common in older and lighter doors.

Lifespan~7,500 cycles

Best forLighter / single doors

Count2 springs (one each side)

SafetyRequires safety cables

Spring lifespan — what to expect

Torsion spring

~10,000 cycles

Extension spring

~7,500 cycles

One "cycle" = one full open and close. At 4 uses per day, a torsion spring lasts roughly 7–8 years. Heavier use shortens that window significantly.

Warning signs your spring is failing

 

• !
  Door feels unusually heavy — if the door barely lifts or strains the opener motor, the spring is losing tension.
• !
  Loud bang from the garage — a snapping spring sounds like a gunshot. If you hear it, don't use the door.
• !
  Door opens 6 inches then stops — most openers halt the door if the spring isn't helping lift properly.
• !
  Visible gap in the spring — a torsion spring with a 2–3 inch gap in its coils has broken and must be replaced immediately.
• !
  Door closes too fast or unevenly — springs losing tension on one side cause the door to tilt or slam down.
• !
  Squeaking or creaking during operation — persistent noise can indicate spring wear or coil fatigue.

 Never use a door with a broken spring A broken spring puts your entire door's weight on the opener motor — which it isn't designed to handle. Continued use can destroy the opener, damage the door, or cause it to fall suddenly. Stop using the door and call a professional right away.

Why spring repair is never a DIY job

01

Springs are under extreme tension

A fully wound torsion spring stores enough energy to cause catastrophic injury if released suddenly. Professional technicians use specialized winding bars and strict safety procedures that can't be replicated with common tools.

This is one of the most injury-prone repairs in home maintenance. Leave it to the pros.

02

Getting the spring size wrong is dangerous

Springs are sized precisely to match your door's weight. The wrong spring can cause the door to slam, bounce, or fail to stay open. Proper sizing requires professional measurement tools and experience.

03

Always replace springs in pairs

If one spring has broken, the other is close behind. Replacing only the broken spring means a second service call within months. A professional will always recommend replacing both for balanced operation and longer service life.

Replacing both springs together saves money in the long run.

⚠ Call us immediately if you notice: A broken spring, door that won't open more than a few inches, loud snap or bang from the garage, door falling faster than normal, or a visible gap in the spring coil. A broken spring leaves your home and vehicle unsecured.

How to extend your spring's life

 

A

Lubricate every 3–6 months

Apply a thin coat of white lithium grease or a dedicated garage door lubricant to the spring coils. Avoid WD-40 — it's a solvent, not a lubricant, and will dry out the metal over time. Lubrication reduces friction, heat, and metal fatigue.

B

Schedule annual professional tune-ups

A yearly inspection catches early signs of wear — stretched coils, rust, or improper tension — before they become an emergency. Learn more about our annual tune-up service.

Annual maintenance can double your spring's effective lifespan.

C

Don't ignore balance issues

Disconnect your opener and manually lift the door to waist height. Let go — it should stay in place. If it falls or rises on its own, the spring tension is off. An unbalanced door accelerates spring wear significantly. Check out our garage door safety tips for more maintenance advice.

Spring issues? We've got you covered.

Whether it's a broken spring, strange noises, or a door that just doesn't feel right — our certified technicians can diagnose and fix it fast, often same day.

Book a spring repair →