QA

Quick Answer: How To Determine Torsion Spring Size For Garage Door

Basically, you run a tape measure along the length of a spring, and take down the number of inches. Therefore, if your tape measure indicates that a torsion spring is 36 inches from one end to the other, that’s a 36-inch — or three foot — torsion spring.

What size springs do I need for my garage door?

Generally, most residential garage doors are either seven or eight feet tall. Seven-foot doors usually use a 25-inch spring, and eight-foot doors use a 27-inch spring.

Can I use a bigger torsion spring on my garage door?

If your garage door springs have lasted less than five years, or if you plan to live where you are for many years, you may want to try the extra long life torsion springs. By using larger springs, you can, in most cases, quadruple your spring life while only doubling the cost of the springs.

What is the color code on garage door springs?

Garage Door Extension Spring DASMA Color Code Chart Color Pounds Kilograms Brown 60/160/260 xxx Orange 70/170/270 30/75/120 Gold 80/180/280 35/80/125 Light Blue 90/190/290 40/85/130.

Can garage door springs be too strong?

When garage door springs are too large, they provide more strength than the door needs. It will open with too much force, rolling up very quickly and compromising its safety. Kids or even unprepared adults could be knocked over by the sudden force when they try to open it.

Why does my garage door have 2 different size torsion springs?

At times the garage door may be designed to take advantage of two different size springs which ensure optimal balance. If the springs aren’t exerting enough tension, then the door is way to heavy to open, and it will slam shut each time.

How much weight can garage door springs lift?

A 1/2 horsepower garage door opener can lift approximately 300 pounds, which is the average weight of a two-car steel door.

How much tension should a garage door spring have?

A rule of thumb with springs is that four quarter turns equals a full revolution and the spring needs to be tightened a full revolution for every foot of door height (e.g. 7-1/2 foot door = 7 revolutions +2 (30 quarter turns).

How do I choose the right spring?

The Right Spring Size When designing and manufacturing a spring, it’s important to consider both the inner and the outer diameter of the spring, its free length and its solid height. You also want to consider the spring materials, as that will influence the size of your spring as well.

What weight garage door springs do I need?

This is determined by the pitch with which the springs are wound. On sectional garage door springs, this normally is 15 percent. For example, a 100-pound pull spring requires 15 pounds of weight to separate the coils; when a door is open, the two springs will support 15 pounds of door weight without any stretch.

Can I replace garage door spring myself?

So faced with a broken garage door spring, the question is, can you fix it yourself? You absolutely can replace a garage door spring, but the type of springs you have may influence your decision. If you’re uncomfortable with any part of the process, simply leave the job to a garage door professional.

How do you calculate torsion springs?

Torsion spring torque is calculated the same way you calculate a working load. To calculate the torque of a torsional spring you must divide the spring rate by the amount of degrees of deflection your spring will be required to travel.

How do you size a spring?

How to Measure a Compression Spring Measure the spring wire diameter, preferably to 3 decimal places for accuracy using calipers. Measure the outside diameter of the coils. Measure the length in its free condition (uncompressed). Count the number of coils. Note the winding direction of the coils.

What do the colors mean on garage door torsion springs?

The color code on a torsion spring indicates whether it is a “right wind” or “left wind” spring, with black indicating right wind and red indicating left wind. Beyond that the torsion spring is color coded so that technicians can determine the thickness, or gauge, of the wire.

Which way do you wind a garage door spring?

Basically, door springs can either wind to the left or to the right. Right-hand winding springs wind in a clockwise manner with the end wire on the right, while left-hand winding springs go anticlockwise with their end wire on the left.

How do I know if my garage door springs need to be adjusted?

More Noise Than Usual. A balanced garage door should be relatively quiet when traveling up or down the door tracks. If your garage door is making excessive creaking, grinding, or squeaking noises when opening or closing, your springs may be strained and most likely need to be replaced.

Can you over tighten garage door springs?

1) Secure the door in place by putting a C-clamp on the garage door track above the bottom-most door roller. As you adjust the spring more tightly, there is the chance that the door may begin to rise if you overtighten it a dangerous possibility!.

Should garage door springs match?

Garage door springs must properly match the door’s weight. Choosing springs that can support the weight will provide you with a properly balanced door.