Every garage door depends on springs to counterbalance its weight. There are two systems, and they behave very differently.
Torsion Springs
Torsion springs mount on a steel shaft above the door opening. As the door closes, the spring winds tight, storing energy; as it opens, the spring unwinds and does most of the lifting.
Advantages:
- Smoother, more controlled movement
- Longer lifespan — typically 10,000–20,000+ cycles
- Safer failure mode: a broken torsion spring stays on its shaft
- Better balance, which means less wear on the opener
Extension Springs
Extension springs run along both horizontal tracks and stretch as the door closes. They're common on older doors and some lighter single-car doors.
Trade-offs:
- Cheaper up front
- Shorter lifespan
- When one breaks, it can whip violently — safety cables through the spring are essential
- Less balanced lifting, harder on openers
Which Should You Have?
For most doors, torsion is the better system, and converting from extension to torsion is often possible during a spring replacement. Either way, spring work is dangerous and should always be left to professionals.
Broken spring in the St. Louis area? Straight Up Garage Doors offers fast replacement with a one-year warranty. Call (314) 788-1106.