Garage door springs are large wire coils that help to lift and lower garage doors. With properly installed and adjusted springs, a homeowner only has to get the door started by manually moving it up or down a bit, before the springs take over. Automatic garage door openers will get the door started for you, but the springs still do the actual work of lifting and lowering.
There are two basic types of garage door springs, torsion springs and extension springs. These are used respectively with the two basic types of garage doors, sectional roll-aways and swing-ups. A roll-away door uses two torsion springs that are located on either side of the top center of the door. Swing-up garage doors use two extension springs, mounted on extending swing-arms on either side of the door.
Garage door springs are under tremendous tension when extended and, if failure occurs, can result in a garage door dropping on to a vehicle or person. Unfortunately, most people are unaware that the springs, rollers, tracks, arms and other parts of the assembly require occasional routine safety checks. Corrosion, loose hardware or worn parts can lead to accidents, while misadjusted springs can make the garage door very difficult to lift, or conversely, cause it to "fly up" out of the hands.
The springs come in different lengths to accommodate various standard size doors, from single garage doors to double doors. The amount of tension supplied by the springs is relative to the weight of the door. Doors can weigh as much as 400 pounds (181 kilograms), so selecting the right garage door springs is essential if the door is to work properly, safely and easily.
Many wonder if changing garage door springs is a DIY (do it yourself) job. Experts emphasize that it is not, and should be left to experienced technicians. Those who attempt to change a spring can lose control of it or a cable under tension, and end up maimed or worse.
Local home improvement centers commonly stock various types of garage door springs and many provide a professional service to install them for you. You can also find neighborhood businesses that sell and install garages and door springs. If you're interested in buying springs or other parts online, you might consider having a professional visit your home first to assess your garage door hardware and recommend needed replacement parts. Also ask if the company will install parts purchased from other dealers, as some companies may have policies regarding this.