Our garage door repair company gets asked this a lot on service calls: How long will my garage door spring last?
That depends on how often you use it. As Indiana Jones says, “It’s not the years. It’s the mileage.”
Cycle Count
Garage door torsion springs are categorized by the number of cycles they’ll last, anywhere from 10,000 to 25,000 to 50,000. Of course, springs with higher cycle counts will cost more, but tend to be more cost-efficient when you consider their durability.
How Long Will Your Door Last?
When considering how high of a cycle count to go on a spring, you’ll also want to keep in mind the type of garage door you have and how long it will last. It’s a waste of money to install a spring that will last longer than the door. If you are considering installing a new door in a year or two, you’ll want a spring with less cycle count that’s more affordable.
But if the door is in decent condition and you expect to keep it a while, a more durable spring is certainly worth the money. Talk to a professional garage door technician to see what’s best for you.
Calculating Cycle Count into Years
If you use your garage door as often as most people, you can estimate how long a spring will last according to the cycle count. Estimate most people open and close their door 4 times per day. That means a 10,000 cycle count spring will last about 7 years, while a higher cycle spring can last anywhere from 14 to 20 years. But considering that most doors need replaced every 30 years or so, you’ll want a general idea of when it’s time to replace the door if you want a durable spring.
Making Your Spring Last as Long as Possible
We estimated how long a spring will last by how often you use your garage door, but maintenance and care can also affect how long a spring will last. Weather will affect wear and tear. If you live in a humid or wet climate, rust will cause the spring to wear out faster. Cold can likewise affect brittleness.
Keeping your spring well oiled will minimize any rust issues. Oil your spring every 3 months or so with a silicone coating spray designed for garage doors. (WD40 will cause the components of your door to prematurely rust).
If you live in an area with brutal windows, you might consider a space heater to avoid putting too much cold stress on the springs.
If you suspect your springs need replaced, have a garage door professional come out to inspect them. Never try to install garage door springs yourself. These springs are under incredible tension and can cause serious bodily injury. Leave the job to a professional.