How a Garage Door Works

Your garage door is an integral part of your home and you may rely on it every day to perform a simple task. The mechanics behind this piece of technology (dating back to the first automobiles) may seem simple, but do you know exactly how your garage door works?

Precision Door Service has expert knowledge about garage doors and can give you a peek into the inner-workings of this valuable invention.

Two Types of Garage Door Systems

Your garage door is operated by a counterbalance system, which uses a force to offset a weight, in this case, the garage door.

There are two types of systems and both depend on garage door springs to provide the assisting force.

Extension Spring System

An extension spring system uses springs that are attached to cables and are in turn attached to the bottom corners of the door. When the door is closed, the springs are stretched and when the door is opened, the energy stored in the extended springs lifts the door.

If you have or are looking to get an extension spring system, it’s important to check these types of springs to make sure there’s a safety cable running through them. When extension springs break, a large amount of energy is released and can cause property damage or injury.

Torsion Spring System

The most common type of garage door system is a torsion spring system.

Torsion springs are typically mounted horizontally above the door opening. As the door comes down, cables that are attached to the bottom corners of the door cause the springs to wind up and this winding creates stored energy.

When the door is opened, the springs unwind and the energy helps lift the garage door. As the door is cycled up and down, though, the steel in the springs weakens and can no longer lift the door.

Is one better than the other?

There are slight differences in operation, but both systems function equally well to get you in and out of your garage!

In terms of lifespan, no garage door system can last forever (unfortunately). As the door travels up and down many times, the steel in the both torsion and extension springs will weaken. They’ll eventually break if they’re not replaced. This is a normal part of the garage door lifespan.

No matter which system you have, regular garage door maintenance can help to extend the life of springs, cables, and other garage door components. Regular tune-ups will also let you know if your springs are wearing out so you can replace them before the system gets damaged.

Professional Assessment

Precision Door knows garage doors inside and out, and if you have an issue with your garage door, our professional technicians can quickly determine the problem and get your door running smoothly again.

Whether you have a torsion spring system or an extension spring system on your garage door, it is important that you have your garage door checked regularly to ensure proper operation and to avoid any potential safety issues.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about the way your garage door is working or feel like it could be functioning better, contact Precision Door Service for a complete garage door check.

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