We all know that there are two main methods of retracting a garage door- sectional roll up, and the simpler tilt-lift method. However, what most people don't know is that, with some exceptions, there are also only two main types of springs for those oh-so-popular roll-up garage doors.
Torsion springs are attached to a metal shaft that runs along the top of the garage door frame. The shaft itself doesn't move, and the springs are connected on one end to the center door frame plate. They then extend all along the length of the shaft, twisting as the door closes. The tension created along the cables attached to the lowest panel and the spring creates the tension necessary to lift and roll the garage door.
Side-mounted springs are longer and heavier, and they are connected on each side of the top of the garage door track. They use pulleys to create the tension to lift the door. Spare parts for this type of garage door opener system are easier to obtain than torsion spring parts, and repairing them is much more difficult and dangerous.
Knowing which type of springs you have on your garage makes obtaining garage door repair services easier.