Selecting an correct wire size for a garage door spring is a necessary step in ensuring that the garage door spring will perform correctly over time. The spring that is used on a garage door must be able to lift the weights of the garage door. Additionally, the spring must be able to complete many cycles without the metal of the spring breaking.
The metal that is used for the spring must be able to support the weight of the garage doors. Using a spring with wire that is too thin for the garage door will cause the spring to fail quick. Using a spring with wire that is too thick for the garage door may also lead to issues with the door, as the spring may be too strong to move the garage door too quickley.
How to Choose the Right Garage Door Spring
Many peoples attempt to select a garage door spring based only upon the width of the garage door. However, you should select the spring based off the total weight of the garage door. A garage door may be very wide, but a garage door may also be very heavy due to the contents of the garage door (insulation, wood panels, etc). A heavy garage door will require a spring with a thick wire to provide the necessary strength to the garage door.
Therefore, someone should measure the total weight of the garage door to ensure the spring with the appropriate weight can be purchased. There are different types of garage door springs, such as torsion and extension springs. Each of these spring types require a different diameter for the wire.
Torsion springs are located on a horizontal shaft above the garage door. The torsion springs will require a spring with a thicker wire to store the set amount of energy. Extension springs are located along the sides of the garage door tracks.
The extension springs will have thinner wire than torsion springs due to the difference in the function of each spring. Thus, it is important to recognize the types of springs that are used in the garage door in order to purchase the correct spring with the appropriate diameter for that type of spring. In addition to the diameter of the wire for the spring, the inside diameter of the spring is also important.
If the inside diameter of the spring is too small, the spring may become overly stressed as it is forced to turn on the shaft. If the inside diameter of the spring is too large, the spring may slip on the shaft. Thus, you should measure the diameter of the shaft to ensure that the inside diameter of the spring is the appropriate size.
Another factor to consider is the number of turns that will be applied to the spring. The number of turns that are applied to a garage door spring will impact the balance of the garage door. The number of turns should be correct for the height of the garage door.
For instance, if there are too few turns applied to the spring, the garage door will feel heavy when it is opened. If there are too many turns applied to the spring, the garage door will feel like it is lifting too forceful. In addition to the number of turns that are applied to the spring, it is also important to identify the wind direction for the spring.
For instance, a spring that is wound to the left must be installed on the left side of the shaft, and a spring that is wound to the right must be installed on the right side of the shaft. If the spring is installed on the incorrect side of the shaft, the spring will work against the movement of the garage door instead of the garage door working with the spring. Cycle life ratings indicate the number of times that a garage door spring will open and close before it begins to fail.
A cycle life rating that is lower for a spring indicates that the spring will fail sooner. A cycle life rating that is higher for a spring indicates that the spring will last for more years. Therefore, many installations will select a garage door spring with a higher cycle life as fewer replacement will be necessary for the spring.
One more factor to consider is the material of the spring. The material impacts the springs ability to withstand moisture and its lasting power. For instance, springs with wire made from oil-tempered metal are strong but can develop rust if the environment in which the garage is located is damp.
Springs made with wire that is galvanized will resist rusting and are a better choice if the environment is humid. Thus, you should consider the environment when purchasing the spring to ensure it dont rust. Finally, safety should always be considered.
Before anyone performs any work on the garage door spring, it is important to disconnect the garage door opener. Additionally, a proper winding bar should be used when winding the spring. Finally, you should replace both springs at the same time.
Replacing only one spring will cause the garage door to either sag or put excessive stress upon one spring rather than the other. Its important to remember that you’ll need the right tools to recieve the best results.
