How long garage door springs last
Springs are rated in cycles, not years. See the cycle figures manufacturers and publishers cite, how daily use turns them into years, and what shortens life.
Garage door springs are rated in cycles, not years, so how long yours last depends on how often you use the door. This guide explains the ratings that are published, why the numbers differ, and what you can look for. Spring inspection and replacement are technician work.
Springs are rated in cycles
A cycle is one full open and close of the door. Springs are rated for a number of cycles, and the years you get from them depend on how many times a day the door runs. A garage that is the family's main entrance wears through cycles much faster than one used once a day.
DASMA adds an important caution. In its technical data sheet on spring cycle life, it says spring cycle life may not coincide with door cycle life, and that handling, installation and use all affect how long a spring lasts. No single number applies to every spring.
The figures that are published
We did not find a cycle rating published by DASMA itself. The figures below come from manufacturer and publisher sources, and they do not all agree. Treat them as typical, not as a promise for your door.
| Source | What it says |
|---|---|
| Overhead Door | Standard residential springs are rated for about 10,000 cycles. High-cycle springs are rated for 20,000 to 25,000 cycles. |
| This Old House | Extension springs can last about 10,000 cycles, with longer-life versions up to 20,000. Torsion springs average 15,000 to 20,000 cycles. |
| A1 Garage Door Service | Torsion springs 15,000 to 20,000 cycles. Extension springs 10,000 cycles. High-cycle springs 25,000 or more. |
All three sources say torsion springs generally outlast extension springs. If you are not sure which type you have, see torsion vs extension springs.
Turning cycles into years
Two of these sources give year estimates. They depend on assumed daily use:
- Overhead Door: at 2 to 4 cycles a day, springs last about 7 to 10 years. At 6 to 10 or more cycles a day, expect roughly 3 to 5 years.
- A1 Garage Door Service: at about 3 to 4 cycles a day, torsion springs last about 7 to 10 years and extension springs about 5 to 7 years.
Count your own cycles. Each time the door goes up and comes back down is one. Cars, deliveries and anyone using the garage for the yard all add cycles, so a spring can reach its rated life sooner than the calendar suggests.
What shortens spring life
These are the factors named in the sources. For more detail, see why garage door springs break.
- Heavy daily use.
- Rust. DASMA says rust reduces wire strength and can create pits where fatigue cracks grow.
- An unbalanced door, which Clopay says puts excessive strain on the springs.
- Added weight from paint or other components, which DASMA says can push a door beyond its specification.
- Dirt in the tracks, harsh conditions and lack of maintenance, according to A1 Garage Door Service.
Silicone-based lubricant on the springs reduces friction and noise, according to Clopay. See what to lubricate on a garage door. Lubricating does not make a spring unbreakable, and it does not change the cycle rating.
What you can safely check
From the floor, with the door at rest, you can check how your springs are aging.
- Look for rust along the coils.
- Look for a gap or separation in a coil, or a stretched extension spring.
- Check the cables at the bottom corners for fraying.
- Note any change in how the door behaves: heavier to lift, slower, uneven, or an opener that strains.
- Write down roughly when the springs were installed, if you know, and tell your technician.
Do not test a door you think has a weak or broken spring. Do not touch the springs, brackets or cables.
When to stop and bring in a technician
Do not wait for a spring to break. Have a technician look at the springs if the door is older, gets heavy daily use, or shows any sign of wear listed above. A bang, a door that will not lift, or a gap in a coil means stop and do not operate the door. See signs a spring is broken.
We inspect springs and replace them when they are worn or broken. Our technicians confirm the cause before replacing anything. If your door has two springs, DASMA advises replacing both together. See spring replacement and maintenance and tune-ups.
Replacement is technician work
DASMA says spring replacement should only be performed by a trained door systems technician. A high-cycle spring is still a high-tension spring.
Related services
Sources
Need a technician?
If something on your door looks damaged, stay clear and let a technician handle it.
Questions and answers
How many years do garage door springs last?
It depends on cycles. Published estimates range from about 3 to 5 years at heavy use to 7 to 10 years at moderate use. A1 Garage Door Service gives 5 to 10 years overall. Your door's use and spring type decide where you land.
Are high-cycle springs worth it?
They are rated for more cycles, with published ratings of about 20,000 to 25,000 or more depending on the source. They suit doors with heavy daily use. A technician can say whether they fit your door.
Do springs fail all at once?
They can. Sources describe a sudden bang as a common sign. Wear such as rust or a forming gap may show first, which is a reason to have springs inspected.
Should I replace springs before they break?
If a technician finds rust, a gap or heavy wear, replacing them on your schedule is better than a sudden failure. If your door has two springs, both are replaced together.
Have a garage door problem?
Our technicians repair and replace springs, cables, openers and doors across New Jersey.