Understanding Garage Door Springs: Torsion vs Extension Explained

 

Most people only notice their garage or roller door when it stops working. Until then, it’s just something that opens when you press a button. However, there is a surprisingly sophisticated system behind that smooth movement, and the springs are the component doing the most lifting. They support the total weight of the door, maintain balance, and achieve safe operation. Whenever we are talking about a residential garage door or a large industrial roller door, the spring system has quite an effect on the reliability of the overall system. The two types we will discuss are torsion springs and extension springs. Although they behave differently, understanding how springs work will assist in understanding maintenance concerns and safety issues.

 

How Garage Door Springs Actually Work

A fully built door can be much heavier than people expect. Even a standard residential panel can weigh around 50 kilograms, and industrial doors can be several times that. The springs counterbalance all that weight. They hold energy in the closed position and when the door goes up, they release that stored energy. That is why the motor doesn't need to be very powerful, as the motor just guides the movement, while the springs do all of the carrying.

Once the springs weaken or fail, it becomes hard. The door binds, the motor strains, and in many manual setups; it can make it impossible to even lift the door.

 

Torsion Springs. Why they are the modern standard

Torsion springs sit horizontally along a steel shaft above the door. When the door goes down, they get tighter from their horizontal position. When the door goes up, the torsion spring unwinds and transfers that stored energy back into the lifting motion.

 

Why technicians go with torsion springs

• They more evenly distribute the load across the full width.
• They generally last longer because the tension is distributed more efficiently.
• The opening and closing action is noticeably smoother.
• Their position on the central shaft makes them safer in the event of failure.

 

Where you’ll see them

Torsion springs are now the go-to choice for commercial shutters, warehouse doors, factory roller systems, and large sectional doors. Due to the controlled movement and long-lasting durability, torsion springs are used on heavy-use doors or doors in heavy-use environments.

 

Extension springs are a simpler, older design

Extension springs operate differently than torsion springs. Rather than twisting, extension springs stretch and contract along the sides of the door. This type of system used to be popular in older residential installations because it was simple and affordable.

 

Characteristics of extension springs

• They tend to create more vibration and sometimes a jerky motion.
• They usually wear out faster due to the nature of the stretching force.
• Safety cables are needed to prevent recoil if a spring breaks.
• They’re mostly found in older or lightweight garage door setups.

Although still functional, extension springs are gradually being replaced by torsion systems in commercial and industrial settings due to their limitations.

 

Why Spring Safety Should Never Be Ignored

Springs hold an enormous amount of tension—often hundreds of kilograms worth. When something goes wrong, the consequences can be serious.

 

Common risks include:

• Springs snapping with no warning.
• A door will become misaligned, jammed or suddenly drop.
• Motors overworking and eventually burning out.
• The door becoming too heavy to lift even slightly.

Because of these risks, spring-related repairs are not something to attempt yourself. Professional technicians rely on specialised tools and procedures for a reason.

 

Maintenance: Spotting Problems Before They Get Serious

Most spring failures don’t happen overnight. There are indicators, and recognizing them early can prevent damage or downtime.

 

Typical indicators of worn springs:

• Your door feels unusually heavy
• Your door operates slower than normal or stops halfway
• Your door sits lower on one side than on the other.
• You can see a gap in the spring coils.
• Loud popping or snapping sounds occur.
• There are new or unusual noises coming from the motor.

Specifically, inspection is critical on jobs involved some type of heavy machinery. Some facilities only ask for an industrial roller door repair quote once the door becomes difficult to open, but by that point the strain may have already caused secondary issues.

 

Torsion vs Extension: A Quick, Clear Comparison

Feature	Torsion Springs	Extension Springs
Operation	Twist to store torque	Stretch to store tension
Durability	Longer lifespan	Wears out faster
Smoothness	Quiet, steady motion	More vibration
Safety	Better containment	Needs safety cables
Best for	Heavy or wide modern doors	Older, lighter systems

 

Final Thoughts

Springs might be hidden out of sight, but they do the toughest part of the job. Whether your system uses torsion or extension springs, each type has its strengths and its limitations. When you better understand how springs work, it will help homeowners, property managers, and facility operators better recognize potential problems sooner and manage a safer and more efficient door system.

Maintaining a spring system properly not only makes opening and closing the door easier, but it also protects the entire system, allows for a lower risk of unexpected repairs, and ensures the door's operations remain consistent for an extended time.