How long do garage door springs last?
Updated August 2026
Plan on 7–12 years from a set of garage door springs, or roughly 10,000 open-close cycles, whichever comes first. Springs are rated in cycles, not years, so the calendar number depends entirely on how often the door moves: a two-car household cycling the door four times a day burns through 10,000 cycles in about seven years, while a rarely used detached garage can stretch the same springs past 15. Torsion springs, mounted on a bar above the door, outlast the older extension springs that run along the tracks, and a 20,000-cycle spring roughly doubles the life for a modest upcharge.
Lifespan by type and situation
| Type or situation | Typical lifespan | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Standard extension springs | 7–9 years | The older side-mounted type; shorter-lived and more dangerous when they snap |
| Standard torsion springs | 10–12 years | Mounted on a shaft above the door; smoother and longer-lasting |
| High-cycle torsion (20,000+) | 15–20 years | Costs a little more up front and roughly doubles the rated life |
| Door cycled 2 times a day | 13–15 years | Light use; 10,000 cycles takes well over a decade |
| Door cycled 6+ times a day | 4–6 years | A busy household or a door used as the main entrance |
| Coastal or unheated garage | Cut 2–3 years | Salt air and moisture rust the coils and speed metal fatigue |
Signs yours is near the end
- The door feels suddenly heavy or the opener strains and labors to lift it
- A visible gap in the torsion spring coil, the telltale sign one has already snapped
- The door slams down fast or drops several inches when you release it partway
- A loud bang from the garage, often mistaken for a gunshot, when a spring lets go
- The door hangs crooked, with one side lifting higher than the other
- Squealing or grinding as the coils bind, even after a fresh lubrication
How to add years
Springs are consumable, but a few habits push them to the top of their cycle range. Lubricating the coils with a garage-door-specific spray every three to six months cuts the friction that fatigues the steel, and keeping the door balanced, so it holds in place when lifted halfway by hand, stops the opener and springs from fighting a binding door. Because springs and the opener wear as a system, a tired spring makes the motor labor and shortens the life behind the opener itself. Always replace springs in pairs even if only one broke, since the survivor is the same age and days from failing. This is high-tension work: a loaded torsion spring can maim, so it belongs on your maintenance checklist as a pro job, not a Saturday project.
What it costs to replace: plan on $150–350 installed for a pair ($40–100 in parts if you DIY). Replacing on your own schedule, before it fails, is almost always cheaper than the emergency version. The home maintenance cost calculator helps you set the money aside before it comes due.
OnOtto tracks your spring inspections age and service history, and warns you before end of life instead of after the flood.
Track your home's systems, free for 30 daysFrequently asked questions
Should I replace both garage door springs if only one broke?
Yes, replace them as a pair. Both springs were installed at the same time and have taken nearly the same number of cycles, so when one snaps the other is typically weeks or months from doing the same. Replacing only the broken one leaves you facing a second service call soon, and it makes the door pull unevenly in the meantime. The labor to swap two springs is barely more than one, since the technician is already there with the door open and the tools out.
Can I replace garage door springs myself?
It is possible but genuinely risky, and most pros advise against DIY on torsion springs. A wound torsion spring stores enormous energy; if a winding bar slips it can break fingers or worse. Extension springs are only slightly less hazardous. A professional swap runs $150–350 for the pair and takes under an hour. If you do it yourself the parts are $40–100, but you need the correct winding bars and a careful, methodical process. For most people the safety margin is worth the labor cost.
What is the difference between torsion and extension springs?
Torsion springs mount on a metal shaft above the door opening and twist to lift it; extension springs run parallel to the tracks on each side and stretch. Torsion is the newer, safer, longer-lasting design, typically 10–12 years versus 7–9 for extension, and it controls the door more smoothly. Extension springs are cheaper and common on older or lighter doors, but when they break they can fling parts across the garage unless safety cables are installed through them.
How many cycles do garage door springs last?
A standard spring is rated for about 10,000 cycles, where one cycle is a full open and close. At two cycles a day that is nearly 14 years; at six or more it can be under five. High-cycle springs rated for 20,000 or even 50,000 cycles cost more up front and are worth it for a busy door or one you use as your main entrance. The rating is stamped or documented at install, so you can match a replacement to your actual usage.