Every garage door relies on springs to counterbalance its weight. Without them, your 150 to 400 pound door would be impossible to lift by hand and would burn out an opener motor within weeks. There are two types of springs used in residential garage doors, and they work very differently.
Torsion Springs
Torsion springs are mounted on a metal shaft directly above the door opening, on the inside of the garage. They store energy by twisting — when the door closes, the springs wind tighter. When the door opens, they unwind and release that stored energy to lift the door.
How to identify them: Look above your closed garage door, just below the ceiling. If you see one or two tightly coiled springs running along a metal bar, those are torsion springs.
- Smoother operation — the force is applied evenly across the width of the door
- Longer lifespan — rated for 15,000 to 20,000 cycles on standard models, and up to 50,000 on high-cycle versions
- Safer when they break — a broken torsion spring stays on the shaft rather than flying across the garage
- Less wear on other components — the even force distribution means less stress on cables, drums, and tracks
Extension Springs
Extension springs are mounted along the horizontal tracks on either side of the door, running parallel to the ceiling. They store energy by stretching — when the door closes, the springs extend. When the door opens, they contract and pull the door upward through a system of pulleys and cables.
How to identify them: Look along the horizontal tracks above the door opening on both sides. If you see long springs that stretch and contract as the door moves, those are extension springs.
- Lower upfront cost — the springs and hardware are less expensive
- Easier to find parts — extension springs are widely available at hardware stores
- Simpler mechanism — fewer specialized components
Which Is Safer?
Torsion springs are significantly safer. When an extension spring breaks under tension, it can become a projectile — the spring or a piece of it can fly across the garage with enough force to dent a car or break a window. Safety cables threaded through the center of each extension spring help contain this, but not every installation has them.
When a torsion spring breaks, it makes a loud bang but stays wound around the shaft. There is no flying metal.
Which Does Your Rochester Home Probably Have?
Most homes built after the mid-1990s in the Rochester area have torsion springs. Older homes — particularly those built in the 1960s through 1980s — often have extension springs. If your home has extension springs and they are more than 10 years old, it is worth considering an upgrade to torsion springs for safety and longevity.
Can You Switch from Extension to Torsion?
Yes, in most cases. The conversion requires installing a torsion shaft and brackets above the door, new cables, and the torsion springs themselves. It is not a DIY job — the springs are under extreme tension and require specialized winding tools.
If you are unsure which type of spring your door uses, or if you want to discuss a conversion, call or text 585-820-6559 for a free assessment.