How to Get the Right Size Garage Door Spring

Рет қаралды 106,760

7 жыл бұрын

Choose the correct size garage door spring for a garage door. How to measure an extension spring, choose the color code for the weight of the door and learn about the different types of garage door spring ends.
Link to video: How to Replace a Garage Door Extension Spring • Replace a Garage Door ...
Link to video: How to Weigh a Garage Door: • How to Weigh a Garage ...
Extension spring information:
25"X42" spring - 25 inches is the length of the spring, measured compressed, coil to coil. 42 inches is half of the height of the door.
Color code-door weight-pounds
White 10, 110, 210 lbs
Green 20, 120, 220 lbs
Yellow 30, 130,230 lbs
Blue 40, 140, 240 lbs
Red 50, 150, 250 lbs
Brown 60, 160,260 lbs
Orange 70,170, 270 lbs
Gold 80, 180, 280 lbs
Light Blue 90, 190, 290 lbs
Tan 100, 200, 300 lbs
Door Heights - Spring Length - Coil to Coil
6 foot door - 21 inch spring
6 foot 6 inch door - 25 inch spring
7 foot door -25 inch spring
27 inch spring
32 inch spring
8 foot door - 27 inch spring
29 inch spring
30 inch spring
32 inch spring
9 foot door - 36 inch spring
39 inch spring
Spring Ends
Open Loop - Single loop with open end - easier to replace, not as strong as other ends
Double Loop - Double loop with closed loops, stronger than open loop.
Clipped Ends - Most durable, less stress on spring end, found on higher weight rated springs.
It's important to select the proper extension springs for the weight of your garage door. Most people don't know how to choose the right replacement garage door spring or that there is even a difference in garage door replacement springs.
The most reliable way is to measure the weight of the garage door with a bathroom scale, though you'll want to use an old spring style scale for the most accurate weight. You can also look for label for the garage door model or weight. You also might find the door weight or correct spring size in the installation instructions.
There are hundreds of videos at Know How Now, subscribe so you can always find the channel…. It’s free. I always respect your time and do my best to keep the videos brief, but informative. Check out the channel with this link:
www.youtube.com/@Know-How-Now...
Disclaimer: Due to factors beyond the control of Know How Now, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Know How Now assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Know How Now recommends safe practices when working and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Know How Now, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Know How Now.
#garagedoorsprings

Пікірлер: 52

@Know-How-Now Жыл бұрын

Link to video: How to Replace a Garage Door Extension Spring kzfaq.info/get/bejne/p6iXqLSEx6evpmw.html Link to video: How to Weigh a Garage Door: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Z7dpltJ5lq6tgpc.html Link to video: Install a Garage Door Safety Cable: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rpZ5h5SY37bVpYU.html More Know How Now videos about garage door repair: kzfaq.info/sun/PLvce66kQTjJRJKROOLMF-maHA5gUpZsUV There are hundreds of videos at Know How Now, subscribe so you can always find the channel…. It’s free. I always respect your time and do my best to keep the videos brief, but informative. Check out the channel with this link: www.youtube.com/@Know-How-Now/videos

@DarkArtsDeepDive 11 ай бұрын

Great video, you were the only resource I could find for properly measuring garage spring.

@juanpadilla3203 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for taking the time to put all this information together, well done.

@Know-How-Now 6 жыл бұрын

You are welcome, Juan.

@joezhu9119 7 жыл бұрын

very helpful. Had trouble understanding what 42 means and you solved the mystery.

@Know-How-Now 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the compliment Joe. It makes my day to hear that the video was helpful. I have other videos, please consider checking them out by clicking on the channel name.

@nitingandhi9836 7 жыл бұрын

This video is very helpful for person like me who has no knowledge of garage door, and how to weight the door. How to figure out the right size extension spring for the GD.You explain it very well. Thanks. Nitin

@Know-How-Now 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the compliment. It makes my day to hear that one of my videos has been helpful.

@percyfaith11 2 ай бұрын

I have a 7'x8' steel clad (both sides) insulated Clopay garage door with 4 single pane windows at the top. I replaced the original extension springs with the same weight rating, 90 lbs (light blue paint) about 10 years ago after one broke. I have noticed over the years that the door is quite heavy to lift with the opener disconnected. This is putting a lot of strain on the opener. The door balanced at about 3 1/2 feet with the but fell quite rapidly below that. The lift force needed to raise the door off the floor, with the springs helping, was around 41 lbs. So I weighed the door and was surprised to find it weighed 120 lbs! According to all the charts online that weight and size door needed 25-42-120 springs (green color). I put on the 120lb springs and now the door comes off the floor and won't stay closed. It takes about 18 lbs of force to keep the door closed. So, the question is should I use 110lb springs, even though the door weighs 120 lbs?

@Know-How-Now 2 ай бұрын

What kind of scale did you use to weigh the door? Digital bathroom scales can give you an inaccurate reading. You might look for the model number on the door, contact Cloypay and verify the weight.

@percyfaith11 2 ай бұрын

@@Know-How-Now I used an analog bathroom scale and shook the door to insure no roller was binding. I did it several times and always got 120 lb. Someone peeled off the decal on the door with the model and serial numbers. Clopay is no help without those numbers.

@romulus2225 3 жыл бұрын

amazing video

@Know-How-Now 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the compliment. I try to make quality videos. Have a great day.

@timrick2 7 жыл бұрын

Really surprised I'm the first to compliment and thank you. I'm a carpenter, and you did an excellent job on detail especially with the 'charts' you included in the comments. Thank you VERY MUCH!!

@Know-How-Now 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the compliment, Tim. I made this video because I did make the mistake of installing the wrong size spring. In my defense, the spring was installed before KZfaq existed and there was not a lot of help available. I did weigh the door, but I didn't understand that the spring that didn't break was still pulling up on the door, so I thought the door weighed 70lbs not 90lbs. My father spent his working career as a carpenter. I grew up watching and often helping him make repairs around the house.

@timrick2 7 жыл бұрын

I'm a carpenter and handyman, and may be replacing one soon. I've done two in the past, but couldn't remember how to size them, so checked here! Two PROFESSIONAL vids first, and then YOU!! Yours was BETTER little lady!! Much more concise and detailed which is what you NEED with items like this! I thought you were pro, and perhaps you should be!! I'll have to check out your others.. NICE JOB!!

@Know-How-Now 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks again for the compliment. I had to dig hard to find the information to be sure that I was putting the correct springs on my door. Hardly anyone mentioned how important it is to put the correct springs on the door. I felt there was a need to make everyone aware the the correct size spring is important.

@Lt-Dan 4 ай бұрын

My door was 8’ tall with yellow ends, Home Depot and Lowe's only had 7’ door springs in store, I had to order them. Don't use 7ft spring on 8ft door.

@l337pwnage 7 жыл бұрын

I tend to recommend converting to torsion. It's a little more expensive and requires a little more mechanical aptitude to do, but I like torsion springs because you can choose longer life springs if you want because of how the system works compared to extension springs.

@mkdsk101 4 жыл бұрын

I rather have the extension springs, they are easier to change.

@l337pwnage 4 жыл бұрын

@@mkdsk101 To each their own, but I helped a buddy out with his garage and got him 70k cycle springs, for him, they should last 50+ years. I doubt I'll be changing them again, lol. Extension springs, and base torsion springs, last about 10k cycles(sometimes a little more, up to 15k in some cases).

@Bmw2473 Жыл бұрын

I did a normal height one car garage door today and went with 140lb thinking heavier would be better did one side and left the old spring on the other noticed it was way to much tension so dropped down to 110 and it’s perfect goes down without stressing the motor and comes up better than it ever has. Now I just have to return the 90lb I bought incase 110lb was to much.

@Bmw2473 Жыл бұрын

Forgot to mention Home Depot $25 fix

@gagashead 6 жыл бұрын

Very helpful. Thank you. I have a very old, manually operated garage door. The door weighed 155 pounds but the old springs were colored blue. I decided to buy a pair of brown 160 pound rated springs, but although now the door opens easily enough, it has a tendency to bounce back up an inch or so. As well, it no longer stays up on its own. Any thoughts?

@Know-How-Now 6 жыл бұрын

If you have properly weighted the door and are sure you have the correct springs, ( I have a video that shows how to accomplish that task: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Z7dpltJ5lq6tgpc.html ) then most likely you have to adjust the cable length. You are aiming to adjust the cable length so that when the door is open about midway, & it stays in that position. To clarify, open the door about midway and let go of the handle, it should no go up or down, it should remain in that position.

@SagarSharma88 4 жыл бұрын

Woow ur video is awesome 👏🏻 👏🏻 ... I have a question : - How can we take spring dimensions ( wire size x Spring OD x Length ) as per weight of Door . Like i know the color as per weight..i am mot able to find spring dimensions chart as per color or weight of door..it will be hreat favour plz if u hv any website link to find this all details ???

@Know-How-Now 4 жыл бұрын

If you haven't already looked, there is some information in the box below the video that may be helpful. Here is a link to a page of a business who sells garage door parts. In the past I have bought parts from them and was satisfied with their parts & service: diygaragedoor.com/springs/sectional-garage-door-extension-springs.php

@ny6901 5 жыл бұрын

Always excellent. I have an old metal garage...no tortion spring above door middle top front. It works with 2 extension springs, (one is missing) Will your instructions and ststistics also work for my situation? Should I stay with the existing spring style Or is it ok to upgrade/switch. Wish we were neighbors! .

@Know-How-Now 5 жыл бұрын

Here's the link to the video that shows how to replace springs. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/p6iXqLSEx6evpmw.html I would stick with the extension springs and not switch to torsion springs. I think extension springs are safer to work on. I have some other garage door videos, click on the channel name and find the garage door playlist.

@ny6901 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you. So it's either torsion springs or extension springs & not both. Your videos are wonderful I have, I think, successfully weighed my door. It comes up between 60 and 72 pounds depending on where on the scale the door sits. I went to Home Depot and the lowest weight they have is 90 pounds. It's got a white end. Next was 110. I will look online for a 60 - 70# set. The people and Lowe's Home Depot and Ace didn't really know how to help me. The garage door companies I had come out and look at my metal shed-garage roll up door, didn't want to do the work. They wanted to either upgrade the door with torsion spring (won't work because of the construction of the shed) or install a whole new door (same reason) I'm making much more progress on my own with your instruction, and I can't thank you enough. No one knew about the length chart or had easy access to the color / weight chart! My other inquiry about changing springs was more in reference to the types of extension springs - but within your other garage door videos that question is answered - that they are better quality (ring, double ring & tab) Somewhere else I found someone using a weight rated carabiner to attach spring (easier than treading through the ring) Do you have an opinion on that? My hope is to follow up with my results! Lots of details, thank you for addressing everything that is involved.

@Know-How-Now 5 жыл бұрын

The carabiner is not conventional, if it's strength rating is correct for your application, I don't see why it wouldn't work. I admire your perseverance. Thanks for the update on your progress.

@matthiasbroek8055 6 жыл бұрын

Very helpful videos regarding spring replacement. My springs are blue coded, they look dark.blue (140lbs) but difficult to see. I weighed my door using a digital scale, I don’t have an analog scale and I got a weight of 120 lbs (first got 60 before I disconnected the last spring). I went out and bought the 130 and 140 lbs springs to be safe. When I compared the pull of those prints before attaching I felt that even the new 130lbs felt much stronger than my old spring. I installed the 130lbs spring and the door opens much easier but more difficult to close than my other door with the old 140lbs springs, which might be a lower rating. So I am wondering if I got the weight of the door wrong, using a digital scale would I it give me a higher number than the true weight of the door? Or would de difference of 10 lbs between spring and door do this? I did the balance test and the door does balance half way but if I close it further it wants so open again, not close further which I find weird. Any suggestions? Thanks.

@Know-How-Now 6 жыл бұрын

My thought is that your original springs have gradually weakened during their life span, that would account for the new springs feeling stronger than the old ones. I presume that you weighed the door because you had reason to doubt that the correct size springs are installed. Have you looked for a the make and model number on the door? If you can find that, you could contact to manufacturer to verify the door weight. If you live in tract housing where all of the houses are the same, you could check a neighbors identical door's springs color or maybe one of your neighbor's has the installation instructions with make & model. You are certainly very close to the correct size spring if the door balances.

@matthiasbroek8055 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the reply, I weighed the door using an analog balance and I got a weight of 115 lbs, so I am debating changing to a 120 lbs spring. I also changed the position of the s-hook and that seemed to have helped a little bit too. I just want to make sure my garage door opener doesn't suffer to much.One other thing with the new springs the door opens fully with now overhang. With the old springs the door never fully opened and had a slight overhand (which my head encountered a couple of times). But I still do wonder why they put the 140 lbs springs on a 115 lbs door, maybe the builders just had standard set of springs with them? I looked for markings on the door, but no brand or weight, I really wish they would put a weight on the doors so it's easier to figure out the replacement spring.

@mkdsk101 4 жыл бұрын

I have an 8 feet high door and the springs are 30 inches so which ones should I order?

@Know-How-Now 4 жыл бұрын

You'll need to know the weight of the door to get the correct spring. If you are sure the correct springs are installed, then you can use the color code on the spring to determine which spring you need.

@enfieldlover8145 3 жыл бұрын

my door is 114lb. I can order the white 110lb spring and wait a week for the delivery (i dont want that) or i can have 120lb spring tmrw from home depot. is it ok to get a 'heavier' spring and then adjust the cables?

@Know-How-Now 3 жыл бұрын

Best practice would be to get the spring that matches closest. If you weighed the door, depending upon the accuracy of the scale it could be off a lb or two. You could give the HD ones a try & if it doesn't work out return them.

@ny6901 5 жыл бұрын

Couldnt tell in your vid if uou have tortion spring or only extenion springs.

@Know-How-Now 5 жыл бұрын

Only one type is needed to lift the door.

@SuperJbro 3 ай бұрын

So can I put A bigger spring then needed just for extra

@Know-How-Now 3 ай бұрын

I would match the spring weight rating as close as possible to the weight of the door. There are several companies where you can order the correct spring. Too much tension may make it difficult to close the door.

@todds5956 8 ай бұрын

If my door weighs 100lbs do I need 2 100lb springs or 2 50 lb springs? Thanks

@Know-How-Now 8 ай бұрын

You need 2 100 lb springs for a 100 lb door.

@todds5956 8 ай бұрын

@@Know-How-Now thank you. It’s hard to find that simple information.

@lobuxracer 7 жыл бұрын

Still lost. I have a perfectly working door with two functional extension springs. They are old - 1993 - and they are certainly near being concerned about failure. There is white paint on the end of the springs. They measure 1.695" in diameter and 27" in length when completely unloaded. Everything on the web tells me I need to weigh my door to get the right springs. WHY in the world would I want to buy a spring scale (because digital scales won't do this well) only to measure this single component of the equation, then endanger myself and others with a garage door released from its counterbalance just to weigh it? It sounds like I need to do something very dangerous when I have the ability to measure the springs I have with great precision (I have calipers and micrometers to measure) so I am baffled at why I would want to expose myself to insult and injury simply to weigh the door. Surely if I have to do this weighing, I will paint the weight on the backside of the door so any other poor soul attempting to solve this problem will not have to suffer the absurdity of buying a scale and measuring the weight of a door whose weight was already measured when the original springs were installed.

@Know-How-Now 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for commenting. I'll try to answer your questions. In the beginning of the video, I say that it is easy to get the correct springs if you are confident that the existing springs are the correct size. I'd think that in most cases, the existing springs are the correct size and you can check the color code painted on the end of the springs, measure it & purchase an identical springs. I don't advocate weighing the door if it was working perfectly before the spring broke and you are sure that the correct springs are installed. I am trying to help you identify your springs and help you get the correct replacement. My door did have the wrong size springs installed, that's why it stretched. I had to weigh my door to be sure that I was installing the correct springs. I suspect that people don't recognize how important it is to use the correct springs. The local big box hardware store did not have the correct size for my door and I had to order the correct size. I'd guess that some people would just buy what is on the shelf at the store and stick it on the door. If the springs are are too far out of the weight range, you risk damaging the opener, stretching the spring or having operational problems.

@lobuxracer 7 жыл бұрын

Yes, I understand, and heard your truly helpful admission if you have a working system, just buy what you have (because springs have a finite life and will break no matter what regardless of extension or torsion type). What vexes me is the white colored springs I have are either 110 lbs or 210 lbs, and I am absolutely certain the 110 lbs is not enough, but it is hard to imagine a 9 foot wide by 7 foot tall wooden door weighing 420 lbs and needing 2 x 210 lb springs. Ultimately, I will end up weighing the doors because I am changing from extension springs to torsion springs and reworking the door tracks to move the door all the way to the ceiling instead of 4 feet down from the ceiling to allow a lift installation. I'm just not at all excited about the process of weighing the doors, and if it really does weigh 420 lbs, I am not going to find a bathroom scale at a reasonable price to perform the task.