My garage door spring broke, it has one spring, should I upgrade to a two spring system?

Many builders install one spring on garage door when they install the door.

In most cases on double door 16′ feet wide and larger, we recommend replacing with a two spring system.

One spring systems utilize a larger spring that puts added stress on the other garage door system components.

Converting to two springs provides better balance for the door and even lifting, reducing the stress on other garage

door components. In the case of later spring breakage or failure, in a two spring system when one spring

breaks or fails it is still possible to open the garage door manually.

When you have only one spring on your door it will be almost impossible to open the door after spring broke.

When converting your door to a two spring system it is best to use matching springs as opposed to

unmatched spring sizes.

Matched springs will provide better balance and even lifting force on each side.

It is possible and in some cases necessary to use unmatched springs, it is not the preferred method.

When converting from one spring to two springs it is not necessary, and not recommended, to use two

center bearings. The center bearing is used to keep the spring centered on the spring bar/torsion tube.

Since the springs will attach together at the center bracket, a second bearing is not needed.

If you have a two spring system and only one spring breaks, we still recommend replacing both springs.

Since the springs were likely installed at the same time, the unbroken spring will likely fail or break soon.

We recommend weighing the door as many doors have the wrong size spring(s) installed originally.

Knowing the weight of the door will allow you to install the proper size spring(s). We also recommend

using matched spring sizes to improve door balance and life cycle rating for spring(s).

Spring life cycle is addressed in another article, but in most residential uses springs are rated for 10,000,

20,000 or 30,000 life cycles.(1 cycle is equal to 1 open and 1 close of the garage door) The number of life

cycles depends on the size of the spring(s) and the weight of the door.

We do not recommend that you change your spring(s) yourself. Garage door springs are dangerous and

require special tools and skills to install. Call a local garage door service company to perform spring

replacement for you.

This information is to help you understand why we recommend two springs over

one spring, replacing both springs if only one breaks or fails and using matched springs if possible.