Typically, modern torsion bar springs last up to 5 or 7 years, or sometimes even more. But how long do garage door springs last depends on how often the garage door is used.
Yes, depending on your garage door usage, you can get an idea of how long your garage door springs will last. And today’s blog post is all about that.
If you are worried about your garage door springs and don’t want the garage door to be affected due to faulty, failing springs, then stay tuned till the end. We will discuss everything you must learn about garage door springs longevity and replacement.
How Long Do Garage Door Springs Typically Last?
The average spring lifespan depends on the type and quality of the spring. Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Spring Type | Lifespan (in Cycles) | Estimated Lifespan (at 4 uses/day) |
| Standard Torsion Spring | 10,000 cycles | 3-5 years |
| High-Cycle Spring | 20,000–50,000 cycles | 12–30 years |
So, we can see that the number of cycles in some cases defines how long the springs will last on average. But based on the garage door usage, this time can vary. Here, the cycle refers to the number of the spring’s usage as well as the number of openings and closings of the garage door.
If you:
- Use your garage once or twice a day, expect 10–15 years.
- Use it all day long, plan to replace them every 3–5 years.
- Manage a business or warehouse, track cycles and go industrial.
How Long Do Your Garage Door Springs Last- Different User Perspective Idea
Not everyone uses their garage the same way. That’s why garage door spring lifespan varies widely from home to business to industrial use.
1. Homeowners (Standard Use)
For most homeowners, garage doors are opened when leaving for work, coming back home, and maybe once or twice more for kids.
If your garage door is used 2 to 4 times a day, standard torsion springs rated for 10,000 cycles will last about 6 to 10 years. If you upgrade to high-cycle springs (rated at 20,000 or 30,000 cycles), you can stretch that to anywhere from 13 to 27 years, depending on your usage habits.
Standard springs are fine, but high-cycle springs are a smart long-term investment, especially if you’re planning to stay in your home.
2. Landlords and Property Managers
Rental properties see more unpredictable use. Tenants may use the garage multiple times daily — often more than homeowners — and maintenance may be neglected.
In these cases, expect 4 to 6 daily cycles. Standard springs might only last 4 to 6 years. To avoid emergency repairs and complaints, it’s best to install mid-grade high-cycle springs rated for 15,000 to 20,000 cycles. That should get you 7 to 10 years of smooth operation with minimal issues.
3. Heavy-Use Homes (Big Families or Shared Garages)
If your home has multiple drivers, teenagers coming and going, or a shared driveway with in-laws or guests, you could easily rack up 6 to 10 garage door cycles a day.
At that rate, standard springs won’t last more than 3 to 5 years. You’ll want to upgrade to 25,000–30,000 cycle springs to avoid constant replacements. Even then, expect to replace your door springs every 8 to 10 years.
5. Industrial or High-Traffic Use (Factories, Logistics, Distribution Centers)
If your garage door is part of a 24/7 operation — like a shipping bay or manufacturing floor — it could be cycling 50 to 100+ times per day. In such garage doors, the springs may last for 2 to 3 years max.
You’ll need custom or industrial springs rated for 50,000+ cycles. Even at that rating, the springs may only last 2 to 5 years. But in these cases, what matters most isn’t the lifespan — it’s reliability and planned downtime.
Other Factors That Shorten Lifespan (No Matter How You Use the Garage Door)
Regardless of how often you use your garage, certain things will kill your springs faster:
- Rust and moisture exposure
- Corrosion over time
- Poor installation or wrong spring size
- Lack of lubrication
- Garage doors that are too heavy or unbalanced
Make sure to lubricate the door springs every 6 months and inspect them visually at least once a quarter.
How to Calculate Your Garage Door Spring Lifespan
To estimate how long your garage door springs will last:
- Count how many times your door opens and closes per day
- Multiply that by 365 to get your annual cycle count.
- Divide the spring’s rated lifespan by your yearly usage.
Example Calculation for springs lifecycle:
- Daily usage: 4 cycles/day
- Annual cycles: 4 × 365 = 1,460 cycles/year
- Spring lifespan: 10,000 ÷ 1,460 = ~6.8 years
So, if you use your garage door two to four times a day, your garage door springs complete 1,460 cycles in a year, which shows that they will last around 6 years.
Note: The calculation is just for an idea to give you a reminder about the replacement before it damages the other parts.
Warning Signs Your Garage Door Springs Need Replacement
Ignoring worn-out springs is dangerous. They can snap under pressure, causing injuries or property damage. Look out for these symptoms:
- The garage door won’t open fully or struggles to lift.
- You hear a loud bang in the garage — this could be a spring snapping.
- The door looks unbalanced or lifts unevenly.
- You spot a visible gap in the spring coil.
- The door slams shut faster than usual.
If you notice any of these, stop using the door and call a technician for garage door spring replacement.
Final Thoughts
Garage door springs don’t fail on a calendar — they fail based on how often you use them. So, now that you know how long do garage door springs last, make sure to replace them on time.
However, for 24/7 premium garage door service, contact us and book your schedule now.
FAQs
How Often Do Garage Door Springs Need to Be Replaced?
Most standard garage door springs need to be replaced every 6 to 10 years, depending on how frequently you use your garage. High-cycle springs can last longer, often 15 to 20 years with moderate use.
What Happens If Garage Door Springs Break?
If a spring breaks, the garage door may become impossible or unsafe to open, and can even slam shut unexpectedly. You may also hear a loud bang when it breaks. It’s dangerous to operate the door or attempt repairs yourself—always call a professional.
Can I Replace Garage Door Springs Myself?
Technically yes, but it’s not recommended. Springs are under high tension and can cause serious injury if handled incorrectly. Garage door spring replacement is a job best left to trained technicians.
Are High-Cycle Garage Door Springs Worth It?
Yes, especially if your garage door is used more than 4 times per day. High-cycle springs may cost more upfront but last 2 to 3 times longer, saving money on future replacements and reducing downtime.
Do Both Springs Need to Be Replaced at the Same Time?
Yes, you should replace both springs at the same time. If one spring breaks, the other is usually close to failure as well. Replacing both at the same time ensures balanced operation, prevents uneven wear, and saves on labor costs down the road.
