One of, if not the most important, mechanisms that allow your garage door to open and close on command is the garage door spring. The springs are what actually raise and lower the garage door, despite the fact that the garage door opener does play a part in the operation. This is something that many people mistakenly believe. The springs serve as the door’s counterbalance, allowing it to open and close, and garage door openers initiate and control the motion of the door. In essence, garage door openers would be useless without garage door springs. You will discover all the information you require about garage door springs in this article, including their definition, functions, types, selection guidelines, and much more. Now let’s get going.
How does a garage door spring work?
Garage door springs that are tightly wound are pulled by cables when garage doors close. Tension and energy are built up by the extremely tight coils on these springs. The garage door springs’ tension and energy are released as the door opens, exerting force and serving as a counterbalance to the heavy garage door, which raises the door.
Garage Door Springs: Extension Vs Torsion
When purchasing a new garage door, there are several factors to consider, including the materials, insulation, color, and so forth. However, the type of spring mechanism you should choose is arguably the most crucial. Because properly installed springs are essential to the smooth and secure operation of your garage door, spring replacement or repair should never be attempted by an amateur do-it-yourselfer. Instead, it should be handled by a qualified professional fitter. A loose spring has the potential to become a lethal projectile that can harm people, property, or even cause death. It is possible for a careless attempt to repair a garage door spring to result in a deadly accident.
Extension spring
As their name suggests, these are positioned on either side of the Durham garage doors above the horizontal runners and extend in response to the force used to open or close the door. The tension created by the springs pulling in the opposite direction keeps the door balanced. It is crucial that safety cables are fastened to the mechanism in case the bottom bracket or spring cables break. This is possible while the door is open at any time.
Torsion spring
Rotational force, or torque, is what drives torsion springs. They are positioned inside a shaft above the door’s opening, where they twist into coils to act as a counterbalance when the door is moved. Torsion springs come with a wide range of options, including wire gauges and lengths, door width and height, and track radius.
Compared to extension springs, torsion springs have a much higher weight capacity and a nearly double lifespan. They are safer as well because there are fewer exposed parts. These factors contribute to their higher cost. They also raise the ROI’s value. Among home improvement projects, garage door replacements can have some of the highest returns, so the price of springs should be carefully considered. Always seek advice from a reliable garage door supplier before attempting any DIY projects.
