Torsion springs are color coded based on wire gauge sizes . Extension springs are color coded based on the weight they are designed to counterbalance. For extension springs one pair (2 springs total) are identified by a given color code and weight rating.
How do I know what spring to get for my garage door?
So, how do you tell if a garage door spring is a left or a right spring on your garage door: check where the end of the spring is pointing and identify the wind direction . If its endpoints in a clockwise direction, then it is a left-wound spring and vice versa.
Are all garage door torsion springs the same?
Most newer garage doors have two torsion springs , each of which must turn in a certain direction to lift and lower the door. ... However, when you look at the door from inside the garage, the left-wound spring will typically be on the right and vice versa.
What do the numbers on garage door springs mean?
This is important because different garage doors weigh different amounts and you want springs with the appropriate lifting power for your particular door. The color/lifting power correlations are as follows: Tan = 100 pounds . White = 110 pounds . Green = 120 pounds .
What is the difference between a torsion spring and an extension spring on a garage door?
Extension springs fully expand and contract when operating an overhead door . Torsion springs turn. Torsion springs are sturdier and last longer. Torsion springs do cost more, but generally last between 15,000 and 20,000 cycles, whereas extension springs last up to 10,000 cycles.
How many turns do you put on a garage door spring?
A rule of thumb with springs is that four quarter turns equals a full revolution and the spring needs to be tightened a full revolution for every foot of door height (e.g. 7-1/2 foot door = 7 revolutions +2 (30 quarter turns).
Can garage door springs be too strong?
Strong Springs
If your springs are too strong, and if you wind the springs the correct number of turns, the door will not stay on the floor when closed . It will usually not stay in the middle when opened halfway. However, it will stay up when opened fully.
Can you manually open a garage door with a broken torsion spring?
As professionals in the industry, we advise you do not attempt to open your garage door if the spring is broken . ... Extension springs on either side of the door, along the rails, help counterbalance the weight of the door as it is raised or lowered. Torsion springs across the top of the door help do the heavy lifting.
Should you replace both garage door springs at the same time?
When replacing tension springs, it is recommended that both springs be replaced and matched because the older, unbroken spring will have lost some of its tension from years of use. Replacing both springs helps to balance the door so that it opens smoothly with equal force being applied to each side of the door.
How long do garage door torsion springs last?
How long do garage springs last, typically? The average garage door spring, if correctly installed, should last about 10,000 cycles of opening and closing . If you only go in and out of your garage once a day, that means you should expect a broken garage door spring around 14 years after the spring is first installed.
What are the colors on garage door springs?
| Color Pounds Kilograms | Orange 70/170/270 30/75/120 | Gold 80/180/280 35/80/125 | Light Blue 90/190/290 40/85/130 | Tan 100/200/300 45/90/135 |
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Does garage door spring length matter?
Springs That Are Too Small Can Make the Opener Less Effective . If the spring for the door is small, it can make the door too heavy. When someone tries to raise the door, it will fall back down instead of continuing to lift. A user unaware of the garage door issue could get hurt by the door falling shut.
Does a garage door have to have a torsion spring?
These springs are essential for opening and closing your garage smoothly, especially if you have two. This means that you shouldn't use your garage door opener without any springs since residential openers don't typically have much horsepower.
Can a garage door work without springs?
Garage doors use springs to counter balance the weight of the door and make them easy and safe to lift. Your garage door simply won't work if it doesn't have springs or the springs are broken. ... The other type of spring style is a typically much older style system called extension springs.
How much does a torsion spring for a garage door cost?
Torsion spring replacement costs anywhere from $75 to $150 per spring , including both materials and labor. The springs alone run $30 to $100 each. You'll almost always have two springs per door, and you should replace both at the same time.
