Which do you have?
| Torsion | Extension | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | On a metal bar above the door | Along each side, above the horizontal tracks |
| How it works | Twists to store energy | Stretches to store energy |
| Broken looks like | A gap (often about 2 inches) in the coil | A spring hanging loose, or a slack cable |
| Typical installed price (US) | $350–$540 | $300–$400 |
Prices: This Old House, updated Mar 10, 2026.
How long springs last
Springs are rated in cycles (one open plus one close). A standard spring is commonly rated around 10,000 cycles, and high-cycle springs around 25,000. The rating is "a fatigue-life estimate, not a warranty" (Affordable Door Co. (an Oklahoma City garage door company), updated Apr 9, 2026).
| How you use the garage | Cycles per day | Years from 10,000 cycles (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Rarely | ~2 | ~13.7 |
| Typical two-car home | ~4 | ~6.8 |
| Main entrance to the house | ~8 | ~3.4 |
| Busy family or home business | ~12 | ~2.3 |
Cycles per day: Affordable Door Co. (an Oklahoma City garage door company), updated Apr 9, 2026. Years = 10,000 ÷ (cycles per day × 365), our arithmetic; real life varies with weather, maintenance and spring quality.
Safety: leave both kinds to a pro
- Both kinds hold the door's weight under high tension. A slip can cause serious injury
- Extension springs should have a safety cable running through them, so a broken spring can't whip loose. Ask the tech to check
- Don't lift the door by hand or pull the release cord when a spring is broken: the door can drop