What Are the Different Types of Garage Door Springs?
If you own a garage door, you will probably need a broken spring replacement at some point. When calling a garage door repair company for service, it would be wise to know about all of the different types of garage door springs. Let us go over the different types of springs and what each one does.
Types of garage door springs
Several different types of springs are used in a garage door spring installation, and they are classified as either extension or torsion springs.
Extension springs
Extension springs are so-named for a good reason. Extension springs are often located in the garage door’s upper, horizontal tracks on both sides. When the door is closed, the horizontal track loses more and more weight. Just like in elastic bands, this gives the stretched extension springs more tension, which is stored as potential energy. As soon as the door is opened, the springs release their energy and transfer it into the garage door‘s mechanism to lift and lower the door. When there is not enough headroom for extension springs, then rear torsion springs are usually used.
Extension springs can further be classified into two types based on their ends.
- Open Looped — This type is the easiest to replace. The pulley does not need to be disassembled, or the eye-bolt opened. However, because an open wire supports the entire spring at the end, you must replace the complete spring, even if only this part is broken.
- Double Looped — This type is stronger than open looped. The end of the spring has two coils that are attached to the pulley and the eyebolt. This type of spring, on the other hand, is more difficult to replace.
- Clipped Ends — This type is even more durable than double loops. Because the clips put less stress on the spring, it has a longer service life. They are typically used for garage doors weighing 200 pounds or more. They are, however, the hardest to replace.
Torsion springs
Most garage door systems use torsion springs. They are made of tightly-wound pieces of metal that generate the necessary torque to open and close your door. Torsion springs are attached to the drum unit of a door, which is housed in a cabinet. The number of torsion springs on each garage door varies between one and four, depending on the size and weight of the door.
Torsion springs can further be classified into four types.
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- Standard torsion spring — This type is installed above the garage entrance and is frequently used on residential garage doors. The springs are held by the metal shaft that crosses through the middle. Lighter garage doors typically utilize one torsion spring, whereas heavier garage doors require two.
- Early set torsion spring — This type is similar to standard springs but is installed in the middle of the torsion shaft instead. It also employs different hardware, which is positioned next to the cable drums on each end of the torsion shaft.
- Steel rolling door torsion spring — Torsion springs of this type are often utilized in commercial applications. The torsion barrel, which supports the moving door, is where the springs are inserted.
- Torque master torsion spring — These springs are encased inside the torsion shaft, making them the safest of all garage torsion springs. A winding cone at the end of each torsion rod also keeps them in place.
If you need help choosing the correct spring for your garage door, Palms Garage Doors offers garage door repair services, including garage door spring replacement and emergency garage door repair. We service the Greater Bay Area from San Francisco to San Jose and up to Oakland. Call now for Free Estimates!
