Garage Door Extension Spring Vs Torsion

Most overhead garage doors feature extension springs but you can always request torsion springs if you want.

Garage door extension spring vs torsion.

Whereas extension springs extend or stretch torsion springs use torque to raise garage doors. Torsion springs are sturdier and last longer. It is easy to tell whether you have one or two springs. A double wide garage door takes two springs.

You can do the math on the torsion springs. Torsion springs come in a wider variety of options including various wire sizes and lengths. When the garage door is opened or closed an extension spring gets fully stretched. Let s start with torsion springs which are newer.

For example if you open your garage door 4 times a day extension springs will last about 7 years. Torsion springs in my opinion provide a. Torsion springs are located over the garage door and the number of springs depends on the size and weight of the door. Torsion springs do cost more but generally last between 15 000 and 20 000 cycles whereas extension springs last up to 10 000 cycles.

Better lifting system than extension springs and provide a safer environment in our homes. For a tighter budget choose extension springs they are more affordable and are used in most residential construction projects. Torsion springs are used for this purpose as well but are a more refined and sophisticated type of spring which is gaining in popularity. Torsion springs have lots of benefits if your budget and the construction of your garage allows choose torsion springs.

Safety cables should be installed on all extension spring doors. Torsion springs and extension springs torsion springs are the ones more likely to be recognized by the casual eye they re the large noticeable springs present in the shaft above your garage door. When you open or close the door torsion springs wind or unwind as part of the operation allowing weight to remain constant. Before you choose the right spring size make sure you know which type of spring system your door uses torsion or extension.

In comparison the torsion spring arrangement only coils and uncoils during the door s operation which puts much less stress on it. However if you have an exceptionally heavy single door you may need two torsion springs. Thus it is subjected to more shearing stress which reduces its working life. An 8 9 foot door 350 00 for a 15 16 foot door and 375 00 for 17 18 foot doors.

1 longer working life. Garage door extension springs have been for years the most common springs seen for opening a garage door. Converting your garage door from extension springs to torsion springs should cost around 285 00 for. As a rule of thumb a single garage door takes one torsion spring.

They are called this because where extension springs extend torsion springs use torque to raise and lower the door. They are attached above the garage door opening and the spring turns as the door moves. Attached above the garage opening torsion springs slowly twist and coil on the shaft whenever force is applied via hand or motor. Torsion springs tend to be stronger and more durable than extension springs.