Types of Garage Door Springs: A Comprehensive Guide
Garage doors use one of two spring types: torsion springs, mounted on a bar above the door, and extension springs, which run along the tracks on each side. Torsion is the modern standard — safer, smoother, and longer-lived (15,000–20,000+ cycles) — while extension springs are older and cheaper but wear faster. Look above your door: a spring on a horizontal bar is torsion; springs along the side tracks are extension.
- Torsion springs mount above the door; extension springs run along the side tracks.
- Torsion is safer and smoother, and lasts longer — the modern standard.
- Standard springs last ~10,000 cycles; high-cycle springs 20,000+.
- Both types are under extreme tension — never adjust or replace them yourself.
- If one spring on a two-spring door breaks, replace both.
Torsion springs
Torsion springs sit on a steel shaft above the door opening. As the door closes, they wind up and store energy; as it opens, they unwind and do the heavy lifting. Because the force is controlled and centred, the door travels smoothly and the spring lasts longer — typically 15,000 to 20,000+ cycles on high-cycle versions.
They cost a little more than extension springs but are safer and quieter, which is why every modern door we install uses them.
Extension springs
Extension springs stretch and contract along the horizontal tracks on either side of the door. They’re common on older doors and cost less, but they wear faster and — without a safety cable — can become a projectile if they snap. If your home still runs extension springs, a torsion conversion is usually worth it.
How to tell which you have — and cycle life
Look above the closed door: a single (or double) spring wound around a bar parallel to the wall is torsion. Springs stretched along the upper tracks on each side are extension. Either way, “cycle life” is the real measure — one cycle is one open and close. A standard spring is rated near 10,000 cycles (about 7 years of average use); high-cycle springs double that.
We stock high-cycle torsion and extension springs on every truck and replace them the same day — in matched pairs, balanced and safety-tested. From $229 across London + 50 km.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I have torsion or extension springs?
Look above the closed door. A spring wound around a horizontal bar above the opening is a torsion spring. Springs stretched along the tracks on each side are extension springs.
How long do garage door springs last?
A standard spring is rated for about 10,000 cycles — roughly 7 years of average use. High-cycle springs are rated 20,000+ cycles and last about twice as long.
Are torsion springs better than extension springs?
Yes for most homes — torsion springs are safer, smoother, quieter, and longer-lasting. Extension springs cost less but wear faster and need a safety cable.
Related guides
Garage Door Spring Repair Cost in London, Ontario (2026)
Real 2026 numbers for spring replacement in London — torsion vs extension, single vs double, and why a good shop always replaces springs in pairs.
Why Won’t My Garage Door Open in the Cold? 7 Winter Fixes
Frozen to the floor, opener straining, spring snapped on the first cold snap — the seven things that stop a garage door in an Ontario winter, and which you can fix yourself.