A homeowner from Antioch, CA, called Palms Garage Doors on a weekend morning for garage door spring replacement. In this case, the homeowner reported the left torsion spring had snapped, and they had to manually open and close their garage door to exit or enter their driveway. It turned out that they had zinc galvanized springs, which had a shorter cycle life. We recommended replacing their springs with oil-tempered springs as they were long-lasting and seldom experienced premature wear. After replacing the broken spring, we also tuned up their garage door, making it operate better and safer by reducing vibration and noise.
A broken spring is one of the most common garage door issues. However, until you are stuck in the garage with a broken spring, you might not give your garage door springs much thought. You then understand how crucial they are to a working system and how vital it is to have a reliable source of replacement parts. Different wire types of garage door springs and finishes are available in the market, depending on the application. The three most popular spring wire types are zinc galvanized, powder-coated, and oil-tempered. Let us take a closer look at these and discuss the benefits each can bring you.
Oil-Tempered Wire Spring
High carbon steel wires are used to make oil-tempered springs. The wires are filtered through a series of dies until they are of the right thickness and shape. A spring that can withstand much tension is produced by repeatedly heating and tempering it with oil. The outcome is a resilient, strong, and flexible spring.
Benefits
Durability is the main factor behind why garage door professionals favor oil-tempered springs. Simply said, oiled-tempered torsion springs have a long lifespan. The oil’s lubricating properties, which support the maintenance of the coiling motion, contribute to its long life.
Oil-tempered torsion springs also do not generate creaking sounds as other torsion spring kinds do. It is a crucial advantage for many, especially those annoyed by spring-metal noises. Furthermore, oil-tempered springs for garage door spring applications rarely require adjustments.
On the downside, oil-tempered springs have the potential to feel gritty due to the process used to make them. As a result, it may be off-putting to some homeowners, which is one of the reasons why some garage door installation companies install other types of torsion springs.
Zinc Galvanized Wire Spring
The same steel wire used to make oil-tempered springs is also used in zinc galvanized springs. The galvanized wire is first put through a series of dies before being dipped in hot zinc once it has attained the desired length and thickness. It gives the wire a layer of protection that prevents rust or moisture from damaging it.
Benefits
Zinc galvanized springs are ideal for newer homes, where the natural appearance of silvery steel is more in keeping with the modernist aesthetic. In addition, the coils have no greasy buildup, so many homeowners choose the galvanized spring if they dislike the oily textures of garage parts.
Galvanized springs are additionally sealed off from moisture by the zinc coating, making them rust-resistant. Zinc galvanized springs are comparatively more resistant to corrosion than oil-tempered springs because of the zinc coating. However, this type needs routine adjustments every six to 12 months.
Powder-Coated Wire Spring
These wire springs were developed near the end of the 20th century as substitutes for oil-tempered springs and are made from the same torsion spring steel as the two other major types. Making these types of springs involves a particular procedure where paint is used to coat the wires, and electrical bonding seals the coat.
Benefits
Powdered-coated springs are often found in residences constructed in the last few decades. These springs should last for a reasonable amount of time, even if the coating is not entirely flawless. In addition, powder-coated springs do not leave the greasy residue of oil-tempered springs because no oil is used in their final construction.
Since powder-coated wire springs are often resistant to moisture, rust is rarely a problem. As a result, a torsion spring with a powder coating can be relied upon to continue functioning right for 10,000 to 20,000 cycles.
Garage Door Spring Replacement near Me
Palms Garage Doors is a leading garage door repair and spring replacement service provider in the Greater Bay Area. We have been in business for over ten years and have a solid reputation for offering our customers high-quality garage door services. Garage door repair, garage door spring replacement, and garage door opener installation are just a few of the many services we do. We are dedicated to giving you the best service and 100% satisfaction with any of your garage door needs. Contact us today at (833) 833-3361 for more information.