Torsion vs. Extension Garage Door Springs
Your springs do the heavy lifting, not the opener. The type you have affects how the door feels, how long springs last and what replacement costs.
Get a Free Quote
Fast. Easy. No obligation.
Quick answer
Torsion springs mount on a bar above the door and twist to lift it. Extension springs run along the side tracks and stretch. Torsion springs usually last longer and run smoother. In Wichita, a torsion pair typically costs $300 to $500 replaced and an extension pair about $150 to $300, usually done in one visit.
Option A
Torsion Springs
One or two coiled springs on a steel bar above the door. They twist (wind) as the door closes and unwind to help lift it through cable drums.
Option B
Extension Springs
Long springs mounted alongside the horizontal tracks on each side. They stretch as the door closes and pull back to help lift it through pulleys and cables.
| Torsion Springs | Extension Springs | |
|---|---|---|
| Where they mount | Bar above the door opening | Above each horizontal track |
| How they work | Twist and unwind | Stretch and contract |
| Typical rated life | Commonly ~10,000 cycles for standard springs (higher-cycle options exist) | Often rated lower than torsion |
| Replacement cost (Wichita) | ~$200–$350 one spring, ~$300–$500 pair | ~$150–$300 pair |
| Door balance and feel | Smoother, more even lift | Can be jerkier, more wear on one side |
| When one breaks | Stays on the bar | Needs a safety cable to contain it |
| Common on | Newer doors and heavier double doors | Older doors and many 1950s–1970s homes |
| DIY safe? | No, high stored tension | No, high stored tension |
How do torsion and extension springs work?
Both types do the same job: they counterbalance the weight of the door so the opener (or your arms) only has to move a few pounds.
Torsion springs sit on a metal shaft above the door. When the door closes, cables wrapped around drums at each end of the shaft turn it and wind the springs tighter. When the door opens, the springs unwind and the stored energy lifts the door.
Extension springs run along the top of each horizontal track. When the door closes, the springs stretch. When it opens, they contract and pull the door up through a set of pulleys and cables.
A coiled spring on a bar above the closed door means torsion. Long springs beside the tracks mean extension.
How long do garage door springs last?
Springs are rated in cycles. One cycle is one open and one close. A standard torsion spring is commonly rated around 10,000 cycles. At a few cycles a day that's often several years; a household that uses the garage as its main entry wears through them faster. Higher-cycle torsion springs are available if you want longer life.
Extension springs are often rated for fewer cycles than torsion springs, and they can stretch out and lose tension over time.
In Wichita, springs tend to break on the first cold mornings of the season, when the metal is stiffer. If your door was working last night and won't lift this morning, a broken spring is the first thing we check.
Why do extension springs need safety cables?
When an extension spring breaks, the stored tension has nowhere to go. Without a containment cable, pieces of spring and hardware can whip across the garage. A safety cable runs through the center of each extension spring and is anchored at both ends, so a broken spring stays on the cable.
Many older Wichita doors still have their original extension springs, and some are missing safety cables. If yours don't have them, that's worth fixing even if the springs haven't broken. Torsion springs don't need this because a broken torsion spring stays on its shaft.
How much does it cost to replace garage door springs in Wichita?
| Spring job | Typical Wichita range |
|---|---|
| One torsion spring | ~$200–$350 |
| Pair of torsion springs | ~$300–$500 |
| Pair of extension springs | ~$150–$300 |
We recommend replacing springs as a pair. Both were installed at the same time and have the same number of cycles on them, so when one breaks the other is usually close behind. Every spring repair visit includes checking the cables, drums and balance, and you get the price before work starts. Our spring replacement cost guide has more detail.
Should I convert extension springs to torsion springs?
It can be worth it. Converting means removing the extension springs, pulleys and cables and installing a torsion shaft, drums, springs and new cables. Homeowners usually do it for a smoother, quieter door, longer spring life and to get rid of the exposed springs along the tracks.
It costs more than a straight extension spring replacement because of the added hardware, and it needs enough headroom above the door for the shaft. If your door is also old and worn, it may make more sense to put that money toward a new door that comes with torsion springs. We'll look at your setup and quote both if you're weighing it.
Can I open my garage door with a broken spring?
Don't use the opener with a broken spring. It's not built to lift the full weight of the door and can be damaged, and the door can drop suddenly.
If a car is trapped, pulling the red emergency release cord disconnects the door from the opener so it can be moved by hand. A door with a broken spring can weigh well over 100 pounds and may slam down, so only do this with help, and keep clear of the door's path. Never try to wind, unwind or replace torsion springs or cables yourself. Call (316) 330-0609 and we'll prioritize a trapped car or stuck door.
The verdict
Torsion springs are the better system for most doors, especially heavier double doors. They typically last longer, balance the door more evenly and stay contained when they break.
Extension springs work fine on many lighter, older doors and cost less to replace. If you keep them, make sure safety cables are in place.
Either way, replace springs as a pair and leave the work to a pro. Contact us for an upfront spring price, or ask us to quote an extension-to-torsion conversion.
Related services
Questions people ask
How much do torsion springs cost in Wichita?
Replacing one torsion spring typically runs about $200 to $350, and a pair about $300 to $500 installed. We recommend doing both at once.
How long does a garage door torsion spring typically last?
Standard torsion springs are commonly rated around 10,000 cycles, which is often several years of normal use. Higher-cycle springs are available for busy households.
How do I know what torsion springs I need?
Springs are matched to the door's weight and height by wire size, inside diameter and length. We measure and size them on site; guessing can leave the door out of balance.
How hard is it to replace a torsion spring?
It's one of the most dangerous jobs on a garage door because of the stored tension. Homeowners shouldn't attempt it; a technician with the proper winding bars and parts usually does it in one visit.
Are extension springs dangerous?
Any garage door spring is under high tension. Extension springs without safety cables are the bigger hazard, because a broken spring can fly loose across the garage.
Door Stuck? Don't Force It.
A broken spring or cable can make a garage door drop without warning. Call now or send the form and get an upfront price.
- Calls answered 24/7
- Free, written estimates
- Wichita & nearby