Do You Really Need a Torsion Spring on Your Garage Door?

Look, I get this question all the time: "Do I actually need a spring on my garage door?" And honestly, I totally understand why people ask this. Maybe you're looking at your garage door thinking that big motor up there is doing all the work, right?

Wrong. And here's why that matters for your wallet and your back.

Your Garage Door Opener Isn't Superman

Here's the thing that blows people's minds – your garage door opener doesn't actually lift the weight of your door. I know, I know. It seems crazy since that's the thing making all the noise and moving the door up and down.

But think about it. Your garage door weighs anywhere from about 100 pounds (if you've got a lighter door) up to 300-400 pounds if you've got one of those old heavy wooden monsters. That's like trying to lift 2-3 people every single time you open your garage.

Your opener motor? It's not built for that kind of punishment. Sure, it could try to lift all that weight, but you'd be replacing that thing way sooner than you want to. And trust me, that's not a fun expense.

So What Actually Does the Heavy Lifting?

The springs, my friend. The springs are the real MVP here.

Whether you've got torsion springs (the ones that wind up on a bar above your door), extension springs (the stretchy ones along the tracks), or one of those torque master systems where the springs hide inside a tube – they're all doing the same job.

Here's how it works: Those springs get wound up tight, creating a bunch of stored energy. That energy gets transferred through cables down to the bottom of your door. When you hit that button, all that spring tension is what actually lifts the weight of the door.

Pretty clever, right?

What's Your Opener Really Doing Then?

Your garage door opener is basically just the guidance system. It's making sure your door goes up and down smoothly and safely, controlling the speed and timing. But the springs? They're doing all the actual work of counteracting that weight.

It's like having a strong friend help you move a couch – the friend (springs) does the heavy lifting, while you (the opener) just guide it where it needs to go.

The Bottom Line

You absolutely, 100% need some kind of spring system on your garage door. Without it, you're either going to burn out your opener motor way too fast, or you're going to be manually lifting hundreds of pounds every time you want to get your car out.

And nobody wants that workout twice a day.

So yeah, springs aren't optional – they're what make the whole system actually work without destroying your equipment or your back. Whether you're dealing with torsion springs, extension springs, or torque masters, they're all essential parts of keeping your garage door running smoothly.

Got questions about which springs work best for your setup? That's exactly the kind of stuff we love helping people figure out.

👉 Shop torsion springs here: https://www.expressgaragedoors.com/products/torsion-spring-2in

FAQs