How quickly can you fix my slow movement?

In most cases, we can diagnose and fix slow garage door movement the same day you call. Common causes include worn rollers, lack of lubrication, or spring tension issues—all of which our technicians carry parts for in their service vehicles. For complex issues requiring special-order parts, we'll provide a clear timeline and temporary solutions if needed. Our emergency service ensures you're never left waiting. Call 1-541-920-5804 for immediate assistance.

What causes slow movement in garage doors?

Slow garage door movement typically results from several common issues: worn or damaged rollers creating excessive friction, springs losing tension over time and struggling to lift the door's weight, lack of proper lubrication on moving parts like hinges and bearings, bent or misaligned tracks causing the door to drag, opener motor issues or worn gears, or cold weather causing lubricants to thicken. Regular maintenance prevents most of these issues and extends the life of your garage door system.

Do you offer financing for new industrial door installations?

Yes! We understand that industrial garage door installations are significant investments for businesses. We offer flexible financing options with competitive rates and terms tailored to commercial needs. This includes options for warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing facilities, and commercial properties. Our financing can cover the complete installation including the door, opener, and all hardware. Contact us for a free quote and to discuss financing options that fit your budget and timeline.

What's included in your 10-year warranty?

Our comprehensive 10-year warranty covers all labor and workmanship performed by Oakridge Garage Doors. If any issue arises from our installation or repair work within 10 years, we'll return and fix it at no additional cost to you. This includes spring adjustments, cable repairs, opener issues, and any component we've installed or serviced. Manufacturer warranties on parts and doors are separate and vary by product—we'll explain all warranty coverage before any work begins. We stand behind our work 100%.

How often should I have my garage door serviced?

We recommend professional maintenance at least once per year for residential garage doors. However, if your door sees heavy use (multiple cycles daily) or operates in harsh conditions, consider twice-yearly service. Commercial and industrial doors typically require quarterly maintenance. Regular professional maintenance extends component life by 30-50%, prevents costly emergency repairs, ensures all safety features function properly, maintains quiet smooth operation, and keeps your warranty coverage valid.

Do you service all garage door brands?

Yes, our certified technicians are trained to work on all major garage door and opener brands including LiftMaster, Chamberlain, Genie, Amarr, Clopay, Wayne Dalton, CHI, Raynor, and more. Whether you have a residential, commercial, or industrial door, we have the expertise, diagnostic tools, and parts inventory to service it properly. We also work on custom and specialty doors. If you're unsure about your door's brand or have an unusual system, just call us—we've seen it all in our Experienced Local Team.

Torsion vs. Extension Springs in Oakridge: Which Does Your Door Need?

2026-09-17 5 min read

Here's what most homeowners don't realize about garage door springs: they're not all the same, and choosing the wrong replacement type can cost you hundreds extra and create safety hazards you won't see coming. I've walked into garages where a snapped spring led to a second failure within weeks because the door owner grabbed whatever was cheapest at the hardware store instead of matching the original system.

Your garage door springs do one job: counterbalance the weight of your door so the opener doesn't strain itself into failure. But the way they do that work separates into two distinct categories: torsion springs and extension springs. Understanding which type your door uses is the first step toward safe, smart repairs.

Torsion Springs: The Premium, Safer Choice

Torsion springs wind around a horizontal rod above your garage door opening. As your door closes, these coiled springs twist tighter, storing energy. When you open the door, that stored tension unwinds smoothly, lifting the weight.

Torsion systems are engineered to last 7 to 9 years under normal use (roughly 10,000 to 15,000 cycles). They're more precise, quieter, and far safer than extension springs. When a torsion spring fails, it typically stays in place on its rod. A snapped torsion spring won't whip across your garage or snap toward someone's face.

Most modern homes built in the last 20 years use torsion springs. If your door feels balanced and smooth, chances are you have torsion. These springs also work better with heavier doors and are the standard for garage doors weighing more than 400 pounds.

The trade-off? Torsion springs cost more upfront. But the safety margin and longevity justify the price. Learn what torsion and extension spring replacement actually costs in Oakridge to budget accurately.

Extension Springs: Older Design, Higher Risk

Extension springs run along both sides of your garage door opening, parallel to the horizontal tracks. They stretch and contract as your door moves, storing energy through tension rather than torque.

Extension springs are cheaper to buy and install, which is why older homes and budget builds often use them. But they come with real downsides. First, they wear faster. Second, they're dangerous when they snap. A broken extension spring can whip violently across your garage, potentially striking a person, vehicle, or property.

That's why most modern building codes and safety standards recommend torsion springs instead. If your garage still has extension springs, consider whether the short-term savings are worth the long-term risk.

**Need garage door springs in Oakridge today?** Call (541) 920-5804. we cover same-day service across the area.

How to Identify Which Type You Have

Walk into your garage with the door closed. Look directly above the door opening. Do you see a metal rod running horizontally across the top with coiled springs wrapped around it? That's torsion. Do you see springs running vertically along the left and right sides of the door frame? That's extension.

Don't try to inspect or touch either type yourself. Springs under tension can cause serious injury. But identifying which system you have takes 10 seconds and helps you communicate clearly when you call for a repair estimate.

When One Spring Fails, Is the Other Far Behind?

Springs wear as a pair. If one torsion or extension spring snaps, the other is often nearing the end of its life cycle too. Replacing only the broken spring creates an imbalance. Your opener works harder. The surviving spring fails sooner. You end up paying twice in a short window.

Professional technicians typically recommend replacing both springs at the same time, even if only one has visibly failed. This prevents a second emergency call a few months later and protects your opener from uneven stress. Read more about snapped spring repair timelines and costs to understand what to expect.

Why This Matters for Your Oakridge Home

Oakridge winters bring moisture and temperature swings that accelerate spring wear. Cold temperatures make metal brittle. Humidity corrodes components. If your springs are original to your home and it's been more than seven years, they're living on borrowed time.

The best defense is preventive maintenance. Regular lubrication and inspection catch wear patterns early. Visit our garage door springs service page to learn what a professional tune-up includes and how it extends spring life.

If you're facing a spring repair decision right now, don't guess. Schedule a free estimate with Oakridge Garage Doors and let a technician confirm your spring type, assess the condition of both springs, and give you a clear cost breakdown before any work begins.

Spring failure doesn't have to catch you off guard. A single phone call to (541) 920-5804 gets you answers and a timeline for repair. Same-day service is available for emergencies across Oakridge and surrounding communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I replace just one spring instead of both? Technically yes, but it's not wise. Springs wear together. Replacing one leaves an imbalanced system where your opener works harder on one side. The remaining spring fails sooner. Professional practice is to replace both at once.

How long do garage door springs really last? Torsion springs typically last 7 to 9 years with normal residential use (roughly 10,000 to 15,000 open/close cycles). Extension springs wear faster, often 5 to 7 years. Climate, frequency of use, and maintenance all affect lifespan.

What's the price difference between torsion and extension springs? Torsion springs cost more upfront but deliver longer life and better safety. Extension springs are cheaper initially but require more frequent replacement., torsion usually costs less overall and poses fewer injury risks.

Is it safe to use my garage door if one spring is broken? No. A broken spring removes half the counterbalancing force. Your opener strains dangerously. The door can drop suddenly. Do not use the door until both springs are replaced.

Why do springs fail without warning? Springs fail when metal fatigue reaches a critical point. Metal weakens with each cycle. Corrosion, temperature extremes, and lack of lubrication accelerate failure. You won't see the break coming, which is why regular maintenance and inspection matter.

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