Garage springs are an essential part of your garage doors. Without them, you couldn’t lift the heavy door panels. Although numerous brands you can choose from. Garage door extension springs vs. torsion springs – the only two mechanisms used for garage doors.
If you’re building a garage or thinking about upgrading your garage door, it can be extremely challenging to choose between the two mechanisms, as they offer different things to their users. In this article, we’ll discuss the main differences that can assist you in the decision-making process.
Understanding The Mechanisms of Garage Door Extension Springs Vs Torsion Springs
First things first, it’s important to say something more about the torsion and extension spring mechanisms.
- Extension springs have been used for many years now. They’re the older garage mechanism out of the two. The extension springs are placed on the sides of the garage door panel and connected to special cables. These cables also secure the springs to the door tracks and prevent them from flying off if they snap. Extension springs use counterbalance force, so they expand and contract as the garage doors close and open.
- On the other hand, torsion springs are part of a newer system than extension springs. Namely, torsion springs use torque to raise and lower the garage doors, hence their name. Torsion springs are installed on the garage ceiling since the system is placed in the center of the door panel. Instead of expanding and contracting, torsion springs twist and turn while raising and lowering garage doors.
Now, since you know more about these two garage springs’ unique mechanisms, it’s time to proceed to the difference between torsion & extension springs.
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4 Differnces Between Garage Door Extension Springs Vs Torsion Springs
Your needs, budget, and garage design can all greatly influence whether you go with torsion or extension springs. Choosing between the two mechanisms can be challenging, especially if you don’t exactly know what you’re looking for.
However, we summed up all the key differences to provide you with a handy torsion vs. extension springs comparison.
1. Garage Door Extension Springs Vs Torsion Springs – Functionality
One of the crucial things you want to examine in your garage system is its functionality. Since the functionality of your garage doors can determine how satisfied you are with the overall performance, you should choose your subsequent arrangement carefully.
Although both of these systems do their job well, some slight differences could sway your decision.
Namely, extension springs have significantly more parts included in the entire process. When there are more parts, it automatically means more things could go wrong.
One of the most significant disadvantages of extension springs is uncontrolled motion. Because of the numerous parts involved, garage doors with extension springs can often get stuck, which causes the jerking motion. Once the tension is released, the garage doors usually fly open. This motion can often leave your garage doors needing adjustment.
With torsion springs, garage doors have a smoother and controlled motion, both during opening and closing.
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2. Garage Door Extension Springs Vs Torsion Springs – Longevity
If you’re contemplating between extension and torsion springs, you might also be interested in checking out their longevity.
The jerking motions and uncontrolled moves from extension springs can damage and prematurely age your garage door panels, as well as all the other parts that belong to the system. This can significantly influence how long your garage doors last you.
On average, you’ll get around 10,000 cycles before you have to replace your extension springs.
Contrarily to extension springs, the increased functionality and improved design of torsion doors directly influence their longevity. Because you can take better care of this system, the torsion mechanism tends to last longer.
Using torsion springs can get anywhere between 15,000 and 20,000 cycles on average before replacement is needed.
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3. Garage Door Extension Springs Vs Torsion Springs – Safety
The functionality of garage door systems is closely related to safety. For instance, the extension springs are known to be less safe, although that’s changing too. When the extension spring breaks, it can fly off and cause a lot of damage.
From damaging door panels, other parts of the door system, your car, or people who happen to be in the garage, there’s undoubtedly some risk with these springs. Spring cables are used more and more as they prevent extension springs from flying off once they break.
Torsion springs are much safer in this regard. Even if the spring breaks, it’ll remain attached to the spring bar. There’s no risk of it hurting other people or damaging your property. Although there will be a loud noise when the spring breaks, that’s nothing to worry about.
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4. Garage Door Extension Springs Vs Torsion Springs – Price
Finally, price is another crucial factor. Even though the price of both systems can vary, torsion systems are commonly more expensive than extension ones.
Extension spring mechanisms typically cost between $65 and $150 for professional installation, while the torsion spring mechanisms cost anywhere from $200 to $400. Nevertheless, if you choose to install or replace the garage springs on your own, you can find both spring types at a much lower price.
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Final Thoughts
Extension springs are an excellent cost-effective choice if you have small and light garage doors that don’t need a lot of force to be opened. Moreover, extension springs are typically used by people who don’t have a lot of space for the torsion system. However, torsion springs are more durable and safer than extension springs, although they’re a more expensive option.
Author’s Bio: Rebecca Grey is a passionate writer plus guest blogger. Writing helps her to enrich her knowledge, skills, and understanding of the specific industry. She loves writing & sharing her knowledge, mainly in the Technology Industry. She believes writing is the key to a peaceful life. Apart from writing, She loves Travelling and Reading. Also, she recommends the Best Garage Door & Gate Repair to consider.
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