- Learn about garage door coil spring systems
- Understand the difference between torsion springs and extension springs
- Discover how you can convert from extension springs to torsion springs
If you were asked to spot medieval technology in your home today, your garage door might be one of the last places you'd look. But the torsion spring, essential to opening and closing your garage door, has a long history ever since they were used in catapults. That history should indicate that these springs are capable of generating enormous power and are vital to your garage door.
They are not the only type of garage door coil spring system available today, as the older extension spring system is still prevalent. In this blog, we'll help you understand how these two systems operate, the advantages they offer, and how you can upgrade your system to get the best performance from your garage door.
Torsion Spring Systems Are Lower-Stress, Literally
Today's torsion spring system is a complex integrated system built around a torsion spring precisely wound on the job site to provide a counterforce to the garage door's weight. The torsion spring operates with the aid of bearing plates attached to the frame of the garage wall and cable drums positioned at each end of the garage door.
If you were to look at a garage door cable diagram, you'd notice the torsion spring above the garage door. From this location it's able to exert a more uniform force to control the door making for a quicker, smoother open & close cycle with less stress on the garage opener.
Not only is there more uniform force, the leverage created by this system helps offset and reduce the amount of force. Less stress and force on the opener can reduce future repair costs because torsion systems often lead to a longer-lasting opener.
The diagram below shows the components of a typical torsion spring system.
Identify An Extension Spring System
Before torsion spring systems were commonplace in garage doors, there were extension spring systems. You can identify whether your garage door has an extension spring system by the 2-springs placed at each end of the garage door.
Here is another garage door cable diagram highlighting the components of a typical extension spring system.
There are some important considerations regarding extension spring systems to keep in mind:
- Higher Stress System: Energy is produced and dissipated by the stretching and contraction of a tightly wound wire coil. Extension springs stretch almost twice their coiled length when closing a garage door and remain at their maximum stressed extent for long periods when the door is closed. This stress fatigues the metal faster than a torsion spring system. You can detect the onset of metal fatigue when the coils begin to stretch out and lose their tightness.
- Lower Initial Costs: Homebuilders like them because they are an easier and less expensive garage system to install, but they tend to be more costly for homeowners to maintain than a torsion spring system because they are under more stress.
- Noisier System: You'll notice the stress the springs are under by the sound, as extension springs systems are noisier. If the springs snap, this produces a sound that could wake you up from another room.
- Uneven Wear: Also, the end connections of an extension spring, on average, are more fragile than the body of the spring and many times fail prematurely. When an extension spring breaks, it is recommended that both garage door springs be replaced to maintain a properly balanced garage door.
Torsion Springs vs. Extension Springs
For most homeowners, a torsion spring will last much longer than the alternative extension spring and provides these additional advantages:
- distributes uniform motion when opening and closing a garage door
- creates less stress on the garage door opener
- not visible since installed above the garage door
- cost-effective to maintain, more durable, quieter
- safer because the garage spring is built around a tube, which keeps it from becoming a flying projectile when it snaps and releases its energy.
Converting a Garage Extension Spring System to a Torsion Spring
When garage door owners with extension spring systems come to understand the advantages of a properly calibrated torsion spring system, they want to know if there's some garage door spring tool they can use to convert to the torsion spring system. It's understandable to want to make the change, but it's a job that requires professional expertise. Garage door coil spring systems, especially extension spring systems, hold dangerous amounts of potential energy.
So rather than reach for a magic garage door spring tool, reach out for professional assistance. It's a worthwhile investment, too because the future savings from lower repair costs will offset the additional cost of conversion. Plus, you'll enjoy a much faster, quieter, and smoother operating garage door.
Get More From Your Garage Door Coil Spring System
Given the tangible benefits of switching your garage door coil spring system from extension to torsion springs, it's worth pursuing a conversion. You may also want to consider switching if your current extension spring system is damaged. Depending on the cost of repairing your extension spring and how long you plan to stay in your home, you might find converting is worth the cost difference. When you're ready to switch systems, contact us at Balanced Garage Doors for a free quote on your conversion.
