Of all the parts that make automatic garage doors work, garage door springs are among the most important. They control the ascent and descent of your door, meaning that a broken one will put your garage door out of commission until it’s replaced. With that in mind, here’s a basic guide to garage door springs for all homeowners.

Basic Types of Garage Door Springs

There are two types of springs your garage door might use. The first type is garage torsion springs. These are generally attached right above the garage door (you should be able to see it when your garage door is closed), and work by twisting.

They’re often used for heavier garage doors — remember, garage doors can weigh up to 1,000 pounds, though a few hundred pounds is more normal. Extension springs, the second kind, are generally installed in pairs and located on either side of garage doors.

The Lifespan of Garage Door Springs

Garage door springs are very heavy-duty, but they won’t last forever. They generally have life-cycle ratings, such as 10,000, 25,000, 50,000, etc. That may make it sound like springs should last for a very long time but consider this.

One nationwide survey found that 71% of homeowners use garage door openers to enter their houses every single day, and it’s estimated that the average electric garage door opener raises and lowers a 150- to 250-pound garage door over a thousand times annually.

All that opening and closing puts strain on your garage door springs, too, and that strain can be exacerbated by a poorly calibrated garage door system or harsh environmental conditions.