Why Do Garage Doors Need Torsion Springs? Expert Explains

"Why does my garage door need torsion springs?" It's one of those questions that pops up when homeowners start looking at their garage door system more closely. Maybe you're dealing with a broken spring, or you're just curious about how that heavy door manages to lift so easily.

Here's the thing – you don't necessarily just need torsion springs. Let me break down what's really going on with your garage door's lifting system.

The Three Types of Garage Door Springs

Your garage door actually has three different spring options, and they all do roughly the same job:

• Torsion Springs – The most common type you'll see on newer doors
• Extension Springs – An older style that's still pretty common
• Torque Master Springs – Similar to torsion but housed differently

All three systems last about the same amount of time and take roughly the same effort to replace. The main difference? The Torque Master system is a bit safer for DIYers to work with compared to traditional torsion springs.

How Your Garage Door Actually Gets Its Lift

No matter which spring system your door has, they all work toward the same goal: counterbalancing the weight of your door so you (and your opener) don't have to do all the heavy lifting.

Here's how it works with torsion and torque master systems:

The springs get wound up on a bar (or inside a bar for torque master). When those springs are under tension, they make the bar turn, which pulls on the cables running down the sides of your door. Those cables connect to the bottom brackets – you know, those metal pieces where your bottom rollers sit.

This whole system creates lift that counterbalances your door's weight. Instead of trying to lift a 150-200 pound door by hand, the springs do most of the work for you.

Why You Absolutely Need Your Spring System

Think of your garage door springs like the counterweight in an old elevator. Without them, your door would be incredibly difficult to lift manually, and your garage door opener would burn out trying to handle all that weight on its own.

The springs don't just help with lifting either – they control the door's descent too, preventing it from slamming down under its own weight.

A Important Safety Note

Those bottom brackets I mentioned? Never mess with those when your door is in the down position. All the tension from your spring system is loaded onto those brackets when the door is closed. Removing them could result in serious injury.

Extension Springs Work a Little Differently

Extension springs stretch along the horizontal tracks on either side of your door. When the door closes, these springs stretch out, storing energy. When you open the door, they contract and help lift the door up.

Same end result, just a different method of getting there.

The Bottom Line

Whether your garage door uses torsion springs, extension springs, or a torque master system, you absolutely need that spring system to operate your door properly. It's not optional equipment – it's essential for safe, smooth operation.

Your springs are working every single time you open and close your door, making what would be a back-breaking task as simple as pushing a button.

Got questions about your specific spring system or need help with a repair? That's exactly the kind of stuff we love helping people figure out.

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