Explaining the Role of Springs in Lakewood Garage Doors

Garage door springs are easy to overlook—until something goes wrong. These tightly wound coils carry the tension needed to lift hundreds of pounds of garage door smoothly and safely. Without them, opening your door would feel like lifting a small car.

In Lakewood, daily use and dramatic weather shifts can wear springs down faster than you’d expect. Understanding how garage door springs work can help prevent sudden breakdowns and unexpected repairs.

At Select Garage Doors, we’ve seen it all—from loud squeaks to total spring failure—and we know how to fix problems before they become major issues.

If your garage door is acting up or showing signs of wear, contact us today to book a spring inspection or repair today.

Key Takeaways

• Garage door springs do the heavy lifting—without them, your door wouldn’t open smoothly or safely.
• Lakewood’s seasonal temperature swings and elevation stress springs more than in other regions.
• Torsion springs are more durable and common in newer homes; extension springs are typical in older setups.
• Warning signs like uneven movement, loud bangs, or doors feeling heavy may point to spring failure.
• Spring repairs are not safe for DIY—professional tools and training are required.
• Preventative maintenance like lubrication and annual tune-ups can extend spring lifespan.
• Select Garage Doors offers safe, fast spring repair services throughout Lakewood, with local experience you can count on.

Why Garage Door Springs Are So Important for Lakewood Homes

Springs carry the weight of your garage door—literally. When the door is closed, the springs are tightly wound, storing energy. As the door opens, that energy is released, helping lift the heavy panels with ease. Without properly working springs, your opener or your arms would struggle to move the door.

In Lakewood, weather extremes and elevation shifts affect how long springs last. Metal contracts in colder temperatures, and that tension adds extra strain—especially on old or unlubricated springs. We see more spring failures in early spring and late fall when temperatures swing the most.

If your garage door opens and closes multiple times a day, the cycles add up fast. Many Lakewood homeowners don’t realize their springs are worn out until something breaks. That’s why so many of our service calls in the area lead back to faulty or fatigued springs.

Two Common Types of Springs Found in Lakewood Garage Doors

There are two main types of garage door springs: torsion springs and extension springs. Both perform the same job, but in very different ways.

Torsion Springs

Torsion springs are mounted horizontally above the garage door. When the door closes, the spring coils tightly, storing mechanical energy. As the door opens, it unwinds and uses that energy to lift the door.

These springs are common in newer Lakewood homes because they:

• Provide smoother door operation
• Last longer (typically 15,000–20,000 cycles)
• Work better with heavier doors

Torsion springs are also safer. They’re fixed in place on a shaft, reducing the chance of them snapping dangerously when they break.

Extension Springs

Extension springs are mounted on either side of the door. They stretch when the door closes and contract to help raise it.

These are more often found in older Lakewood garages and:

• Are less expensive to install
• Work best on lightweight doors
• Typically last around 10,000 cycles

If you use extension springs, they should always have safety cables. Without them, a snapped spring can whip across the garage and cause serious damage—or injury.

What Causes Springs to Break?

Garage door springs are constantly under tension. Over time, even the strongest ones wear down. In Lakewood, we often see spring failures caused by:

• Frequent use: Every time your door opens or closes, it counts as one cycle. Springs rated for 10,000–20,000 cycles wear out faster with daily use.
• Rust and corrosion: Moisture from snow or rain can speed up rust if springs aren’t maintained.
• Lack of lubrication: Friction increases wear. Dry springs grind down faster.
• Incorrect spring size: If the spring isn’t matched to the door’s weight, it will wear out faster and put more strain on the opener.

We’ve serviced homes from Green Mountain to Belmar where springs failed far earlier than expected because of installation errors or skipped maintenance.

Warning Signs Your Garage Door Springs Need Service

Spring issues don’t always show up overnight.

Watch for these signs:

• The door opens halfway, then gets stuck
• A loud snap or bang comes from the garage
• The door suddenly feels too heavy to lift
• One side of the door hangs lower than the other
• The opener runs but the door doesn’t move
• The door drops fast or slams shut

If any of these happen, stop using your garage door immediately. A broken spring can cause more damage—and become a safety hazard.

Why Spring Repairs Should Be Done by a Pro

Garage door springs are under serious tension, which makes repairs dangerous without the right tools and training.

We’ve seen Lakewood homeowners try to save money with DIY spring repairs, only to end up with bigger problems—damaged doors, broken openers, or worse, personal injuries. One wrong move can send a spring or tool flying.

At Select Garage Doors, our technicians use specialized tools and proven methods to handle garage door spring repairs in Lakewood safely. Most spring jobs are completed in under an hour, and we make sure everything is tension-tested and secure before we leave.

How to Help Your Springs Last Longer

You can’t stop wear completely, but you can slow it down with some basic habits:

• Apply a silicone-based lubricant to springs twice a year
• Let the door close gently—don’t slam it
• Schedule an annual tune-up so we can check for early signs of wear
• Inspect for rust or gaps in the coils every few months

Preventative care saves money and helps you avoid emergencies—especially during Colorado’s unpredictable weather seasons.

Garage Door Spring Repair in Lakewood

Whether you’re in Applewood, Green Mountain, Belmar, or just off Wadsworth, Select Garage Doors is nearby and ready to help. Our Lakewood service team arrives with the right parts and tools to get your door moving again fast.

We understand how Colorado’s weather impacts garage door systems. That’s why we offer spring repairs that are fast, reliable, and always done right the first time.

Don’t wait for a broken spring to trap your car or damage your door. Call us today to schedule your appointment. We’ll inspect your system, explain your options, and get your garage door back to smooth, safe operation.