How Long Do Garage Door Springs Last?

By Roni Drutski | February 18, 2026 | Literally Garage Door

Your garage door springs do more heavy lifting than any other component in the system. They counterbalance a door that can weigh anywhere from 130 to over 400 pounds, making it possible for you (or your opener) to lift it with minimal effort. But like any mechanical part under constant tension, springs don't last forever. Understanding the garage door spring lifespan helps you plan ahead, avoid unexpected breakdowns, and keep your family safe.

If you're a homeowner in Northern NJ wondering whether your springs are due for replacement, this guide covers everything you need to know.

How Garage Door Spring Lifespan Is Measured

Garage door springs aren't rated by years. They're rated by cycles. One cycle equals one full open and one full close of your garage door. Every time you pull out of the driveway in the morning and come home in the evening, that's two cycles right there.

The standard torsion spring that comes with most residential garage doors is rated for approximately 10,000 cycles. For the average household in Bergen County or Passaic County that uses their garage door 3 to 5 times per day, that works out to roughly 7 to 10 years of service life.

But here's the thing: "average" varies widely. A family with multiple drivers going in and out throughout the day might burn through 8 to 10 cycles daily, cutting that lifespan nearly in half. On the other hand, a homeowner who works from home and rarely uses the garage might get 12 to 15 years from the same springs.

Torsion Springs vs. Extension Springs: Lifespan Differences

The type of spring system your garage door uses plays a major role in how long it lasts. There are two main types:

Torsion Springs

Torsion springs are mounted on a metal shaft directly above the garage door opening. They use torque (twisting force) to lift the door. These are the standard for modern residential installations and are considered the superior system for several reasons:

• Standard torsion springs: 10,000 cycles (7 to 10 years)
• High-cycle torsion springs: 25,000 to 50,000 cycles (15 to 20+ years)
• They provide smoother, more balanced operation
• They're safer when they do eventually break (the spring stays on the shaft)

If you're considering a spring replacement, upgrading to high-cycle torsion springs is one of the best investments you can make. The upfront cost is modestly higher, but you'll likely never need to replace them again.

Extension Springs

Extension springs run along the horizontal tracks on both sides of the door. They stretch and contract to counterbalance the door's weight. You'll find these on older homes throughout Northern NJ, particularly in towns like Paramus, Fair Lawn, and Hackensack where many homes were built in the 1950s through 1970s.

• Typical lifespan: 7,000 to 10,000 cycles (5 to 8 years)
• They wear out faster because the stretching motion creates more metal fatigue
• When they break, the pieces can fly across the garage (safety cables help prevent this)

If your home still uses extension springs, we strongly recommend converting to a torsion spring system during your next garage door spring replacement. It's a safer, longer-lasting solution.

Factors That Shorten Garage Door Spring Lifespan

Even a well-made spring won't reach its full cycle rating if conditions work against it. Here are the biggest factors that reduce spring life for homeowners in Northern New Jersey:

Rust and Corrosion

New Jersey's humid summers and salty winter air (especially closer to the coast in towns like Fort Lee and Edgewater) accelerate rust formation on springs. Rust increases friction between the coils, which means the spring has to work harder on every single cycle. It also weakens the metal, making fractures more likely.

Prevention tip: Apply a light coat of silicone-based lubricant to your springs every 3 to 4 months. This displaces moisture and keeps the coils moving smoothly. Avoid WD-40; it's a solvent, not a long-term lubricant.

Extreme Temperature Swings

Northern NJ sees a wide temperature range, from below zero in January to the upper 90s in July. Metal contracts in cold weather, making springs more brittle and prone to snapping. This is why we see a spike in broken spring service calls every winter, particularly in December through February.

Poor Maintenance

A garage door that never gets a tune-up puts extra strain on its springs. Dirty tracks, worn rollers, and dried-out hinges all create additional friction that the springs must overcome. Regular maintenance doesn't just extend spring life; it protects every component of the system.

Improper Initial Installation

Springs that are the wrong size or incorrectly wound won't last as long as they should. An undersized spring is constantly overworked, while an overwound spring sits under excessive tension. Both scenarios lead to premature failure. Always have springs installed by a qualified technician who calculates the correct wire gauge, length, and inside diameter for your specific door.

Warning Signs Your Garage Door Springs Are Wearing Out

Springs rarely fail without warning. If you pay attention, you'll notice these signs weeks or even months before a full break:

1. The Door Feels Heavier Than Usual

Try this simple test: disconnect your opener by pulling the emergency release cord, then lift the door manually to about waist height. A properly balanced door should stay in place on its own. If it feels noticeably heavy or slides back down, your springs are losing tension. This is the single most reliable indicator of spring wear.

2. Visible Gaps in the Spring Coils

Look at your torsion spring above the door. A healthy spring has tightly wound, evenly spaced coils. If you see a visible gap (usually 1 to 3 inches) somewhere along the length of the spring, it has already partially separated. This spring is living on borrowed time and needs immediate replacement.

3. The Door Opens Unevenly or Crooked

If one spring is weaker than the other, one side of the door will rise faster, causing it to tilt or bind in the tracks. This puts enormous stress on the tracks, rollers, and opener, potentially causing secondary damage.

4. Loud Bang from the Garage

If you heard a loud bang (like a firecracker or gunshot) coming from your garage, a spring almost certainly broke. The sudden release of all that stored energy creates a startling noise. Do not attempt to operate the door. Call a professional immediately.

5. Excessive Noise During Operation

Squeaking, popping, or grinding sounds that get progressively worse over weeks indicate that the spring metal is fatiguing. Lubrication may help temporarily, but if the noises return quickly, the springs are nearing the end.

6. Rust Buildup

Heavy rust on the spring coils is both a symptom and a cause of reduced lifespan. If your springs look orange or have visible pitting in the metal, factor that into your replacement timeline.

How to Extend Your Garage Door Spring Lifespan

You can't make springs last forever, but these steps will help you get every possible cycle out of them:

• Lubricate every 3 to 4 months with a silicone or lithium-based spray. Focus on the coils, the shaft, and the bearing plates.
• Schedule annual maintenance. A professional tune-up catches problems early and keeps the entire system running efficiently.
• Keep the tracks clean. Wipe down the inside of both tracks a few times a year to remove dirt and debris.
• Balance the door. If the balance feels off, have a technician adjust the spring tension rather than letting the opener compensate.
• Upgrade to high-cycle springs. If you're replacing springs anyway, spend the extra $50 to $100 for springs rated at 25,000 or 50,000 cycles. It's the best dollar-for-dollar upgrade available.

When to Schedule Garage Door Spring Replacement

Don't wait for a spring to break. A broken spring leaves your door inoperable (often at the worst possible time), and the sudden failure can damage other parts of the system. Here's a good rule of thumb:

• Standard springs (10,000 cycles): Start thinking about replacement after 7 years of regular use
• High-cycle springs (25,000+): Inspect annually after 12 years
• Any spring showing warning signs: Schedule replacement now, regardless of age

Proactive replacement is always cheaper than emergency repair. You get to choose the timing, avoid secondary damage, and often pay less since there's no urgency premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do torsion springs last on a garage door?

Standard torsion springs are rated for approximately 10,000 cycles, which translates to roughly 7 to 10 years for the average household that opens and closes the garage door 3 to 5 times per day. High-cycle springs rated at 25,000 or 50,000 cycles can last 15 to 20 years or longer.

Can I tell if my garage door spring is about to break?

Yes. Common warning signs include the door feeling heavier than usual, visible gaps or stretching in the spring coils, squeaking or grinding noises during operation, the door opening unevenly, and rust buildup on the spring. If you notice any of these, schedule an inspection before the spring snaps.

Should I replace both garage door springs at the same time?

Yes. If one spring breaks, the other is likely near the end of its lifespan too, since both springs were installed at the same time and have endured the same number of cycles. Replacing both at once saves you from a second service call and keeps the door balanced.

How much does garage door spring replacement cost in Northern NJ?

In Northern New Jersey, torsion spring replacement typically costs between $200 and $350 for a single spring, or $250 to $450 for a pair. The price includes the spring, labor, and a safety inspection. High-cycle or oversized springs may cost more. Call Literally Garage Door at (551) 279-6408 for an exact quote.

Trust Northern NJ's Garage Door Spring Experts

At Literally Garage Door, we've replaced thousands of springs for homeowners across Bergen County, Passaic County, and all of Northern New Jersey. We carry a full inventory of standard and high-cycle torsion springs on every truck, so most jobs are completed in a single visit.

Whether your spring just broke or you want to get ahead of the problem, give us a call at (551) 279-6408. We'll give you an honest assessment and a fair price. That's how we do things; literally.