In the absence of garage door springs, it would be virtually impossible to operate your garage door. It is the spring mechanism that makes it possible to open and close garage doors with the kind of ease you're accustomed to.
Despite this, most homeowners understand very little about the spring mechanism on their garage doors. This understanding often becomes necessary when the springs malfunction and it is time to have them lubricated or replaced.
Below is a look at some basic things you should understand about the springs on your garage door.
Spring Types Differ
There are two main types of springs used on residential garage doors. Extension springs are common on older doors, while torsion springs are a relatively new entrant into the market.
The main difference between the two is seen in their mode of operation. An extension spring will typically be found on the side of the door while torsion springs are installed on the overhead space above the garage door.
True to their name, extension springs extend upwards when the garage door is opened and retract back down as the door closes. On the other hand, a torsion spring remains in its original position, exerting a force that pulls the garage door upwards for its opening and closing mechanism.
They Have a Limited Lifespan
Much like many other components of your garage door, the springs have a limited lifespan. They are bound to get worn out at some point depending on the quality of the springs, whether or not they were installed correctly and how frequently the garage door is opened and closed.
Because torsion springs do not expand and contract, they're known to be more durable than extension springs because their mode of operation exposes them to less friction.
Extension Springs Can Be More Expensive
The initial cost of purchase for extension springs is usually lower than that of torsion springs. This is attributed to the fact that extension springs are not as long-lasting.
One thing you will need to have in mind is that extension springs on your garage door will require more maintenance than torsion springs.
This is due to the fact that extension springs are exposed to greater friction because of their mode of operation. Thus, it might be a good idea to forget about extension springs and invest in torsion springs the next time your garage door springs become problematic.
To learn more about roller doors, contact a garage door supplier.
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