What Size Garage Door Spring for a 16x7 Door?

"What size garage door spring do I need for my 16x7 garage door?"

This is hands down one of our most frequently asked questions, and I get why people think it should have a straightforward answer. You'd expect that all 16x7 doors would use the same spring, right?

Unfortunately, the answer is: it depends.

Why Door Size Isn't the Whole Story

Here's the thing – two 16x7 garage doors can have completely different spring requirements. The size of your door is just one piece of the puzzle. Here are the factors that actually determine what spring you need:

• Is your door insulated? Insulated doors are significantly heavier than non-insulated ones, which means they need different springs to counterbalance that extra weight.
• What's your door made of? A 16x7 steel door weighs way less than a 16x7 wood door. Different materials = different spring requirements.
• What gauge is the steel? A 16-gauge steel door is much lighter than a thicker, more durable door.
• What spring system do you have? Torsion springs, extension springs, and torque master systems all have different sizing approaches.
• Single or double spring setup? Some doors use one spring, others use two – and that changes everything about sizing.

The Real Way to Find Your Perfect Spring

Instead of guessing based on door size alone, you need to look at the actual specs of your door and current spring system.

At Express Garage Doors, we've built our website selection tools specifically to handle all these variables. Rather than giving you a one-size-fits-all answer that might be wrong, our system walks you through the factors that actually matter for your specific door.

What Information You'll Actually Need

When you're trying to identify the right spring, gather this info:

• Your door's weight (this is the big one)
• Current spring measurements and markings
• Photos of your existing spring setup
• Door material and insulation status
• Whether you have a single or double spring system

The height and weight of your door are really the most reliable way to determine spring requirements – not just the dimensions.

Multiple Springs Can Work for Your Door

Here's something that surprises a lot of people: there are usually several different spring combinations that will work for your 16x7 door. You might be able to use a single heavy-duty spring or two lighter springs, depending on your setup and preferences.

The key is finding the combination that matches your door's weight and your existing hardware.

When to Ask for Help

If you're looking at your spring system and feeling overwhelmed, don't stress about it. Spring selection can get complicated, especially when you're dealing with older doors or custom setups.

Send us some photos of your current springs and door, along with any measurements you can get. We can usually help you identify exactly what you need without you having to become a garage door expert overnight.

The Bottom Line

Don't assume that all 16x7 doors need the same spring – that's a recipe for getting the wrong part. Take the time to identify your door's actual specifications, or work with someone who can help you get it right the first time.

Your garage door will work better and last longer when it has the properly sized spring, and you'll avoid the frustration of ordering the wrong part.

Got questions about finding the right spring for your specific door? That's exactly the kind of stuff we love helping people figure out.

👉 Use our spring selection tool here: Find Your Spring Size

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