Type Guide · April 2026
Garage Door
Spring Types Guide
Not all springs are created equal. Understanding the five main types will help you choose the right replacement and avoid overpaying.
Standard Torsion Springs
The most common type. Mounted above the door on a metal shaft. Uses torque to lift the door.
$40-$80 per spring
10,000 cycles (~7-9 years)
Most residential doors
High-Cycle Torsion Springs
Made with higher-grade steel wire for significantly longer life. Worth the investment for doors used 4+ times daily.
$80-$150 per spring
25,000-100,000 cycles (15-20+ years)
Frequent use, commercial, home offices
Extension Springs
Mounted on either side of the door track. Stretch and contract to assist door movement. Require safety cables.
$20-$40 per spring
10,000 cycles (~7-9 years)
Low-headroom garages, lighter doors
Wayne Dalton TorqueMaster
Proprietary enclosed torsion system. Spring is inside the shaft. Safer design but proprietary parts cost more.
$80-$120 per spring
10,000-15,000 cycles
Wayne Dalton branded doors
Steel Rolling Door Springs
Heavy-duty springs inside a barrel above the door. Used for commercial and industrial applications.
$200-$350 per spring
15,000-30,000 cycles
Commercial roll-up doors
How to Identify Your Spring Type
Open your garage door manually and look at the area above the door from inside the garage:
- Springs wound around a shaft above the door = Torsion springs
- Long springs along the horizontal tracks = Extension springs
- Springs enclosed inside a tube/shaft = Wayne Dalton TorqueMaster
- Spring inside a barrel above a roll-up door = Rolling door spring
If you are unsure, take a photo and send it to a local garage door company — most will identify your spring type over the phone or via text for free.
Our Recommendation
Best value: For most residential doors, a standard torsion spring pair ($250-$350 installed) offers the best balance of cost, safety, and durability. If you use your garage door heavily (4+ times daily), upgrade to high-cycle springs — the $50-$80 premium pays for itself in fewer replacement cycles.