Garage Door Spring Replacement in Lakewood: What You Need to Know Before You Call
2026-04-13 6 min read
There's a particular sound Lakewood homeowners dread. a loud metallic bang from the garage, usually early in the morning. If you've heard it, you already know: that's a garage door spring letting go. And if you haven't heard it yet, understanding what causes spring failure here in Lakewood can help you get ahead of it before it strands your car inside the garage on a February morning.
This post covers the practical stuff. how springs work, why they fail faster in Colorado's climate, what replacement actually costs, and why this is one repair you should never try to DIY.
Why Lakewood Is Especially Hard on Garage Door Springs
Garage door springs are the most mechanically stressed component in your entire system. They're tightly coiled metal under extreme tension, and every time your door opens or closes, those coils stretch and compress. Standard springs are rated for roughly 10,000,15,000 cycles. which sounds like a lot until you do the math on a household that opens the garage four or five times a day.
But the bigger issue in Lakewood is the weather. Lakewood's climate swings between hard freezes in January and February and warm dry summers, and that constant expansion and contraction of metal accelerates wear significantly. When temperatures drop well below freezing, springs contract and become more brittle. a state where even normal operation can cause a sudden snap. Neighborhoods like Eiber and Daniels, where many homes haven't had garage system updates in a decade or more, see a disproportionate share of spring failures for this reason.
Add in the fact that Lakewood can go from sunshine to a full snowstorm in a matter of hours. and that Front Range wind gusts during winter storms can reach 50,60 mph. and you have conditions that stress every component of your garage door system, springs included.
Torsion Springs vs. Extension Springs: Know What You Have
Before you call anyone, it helps to know which type of spring system is on your door.
Torsion springs mount horizontally above the door opening on a metal shaft. They work by twisting (torquing) to store energy. Most newer homes and updated garages in Lakewood use torsion springs because they last longer, operate more smoothly, and are safer when they break. a failed torsion spring stays on the shaft rather than flying across the garage.
Extension springs run along the horizontal tracks on either side of the door. They stretch to create tension. Older homes. think mid-century ranches in Applewood or vintage builds in Eiber. are more likely to still have extension springs. They're less expensive to replace but have a shorter lifespan and can be more dangerous when they snap, since they can come off the track with significant force.
If you're in an older home and still have extension springs, upgrading to a torsion system during replacement is worth considering. If you're replacing springs anyway, the cost difference is usually modest.
Signs Your Springs Are Failing (Don't Ignore These)
Spring failure is rarely instant. there are usually warning signs if you know what to look for. Check out our post on garage door warning signs for a full breakdown, but here are the spring-specific ones:
- The door feels unusually heavy when you manually lift it. A properly balanced door should rise smoothly with one hand. if it's fighting you, the springs aren't doing their job. - The door opens a few inches and stops, even when the opener is running. This is a classic sign of a broken torsion spring. the opener can't compensate for the full door weight. - A visible gap in the spring coil. Look at the spring above your door. If there's a clear separation in the coil, it's broken. - Loud bang or snap, often heard from inside the house. This is the spring breaking under tension. - Uneven movement or a door that hangs crooked. This often means one spring (in a dual-spring system) has failed while the other is still holding.
Don't try to operate the door with a broken spring. Running the opener against a door it can't lift strains and can burn out the motor. turning a $200 spring repair into a $500+ combined repair.
DIY vs. Professional Replacement: Be Honest With Yourself
This is the one garage door repair where the answer is almost always: call a professional. Springs are under hundreds of pounds of tension. An improperly wound or installed spring can release that energy explosively. causing serious injury or significant property damage. The tools required (winding bars, torque wrenches, cable drums) are specialized, and the technique matters enormously.
We see DIY spring jobs go wrong regularly in Lakewood. The cost savings aren't worth the risk. Our services page explains what a professional spring replacement involves and what's included.
What Does Spring Replacement Cost in Lakewood?
Here's an honest breakdown of what you should expect to pay:
- Single torsion spring replacement: $150,$250 (parts + labor) - Double torsion spring replacement: $200,$350 (always replace both even if only one broke) - Extension spring replacement (pair): $130,$220 - Upgrade from extension to torsion system: $250,$450 depending on door size and weight
Always replace springs in pairs, even if only one has broken. They wear at the same rate, so if one goes, the other is close behind. Replacing both at once saves you a second service call within months.
If you want coated or galvanized springs. which hold up better through Lakewood's temperature swings and resist the light moisture that Colorado winters bring. expect to pay a modest premium, but they're worth it for the extended lifespan.
After Replacement: What to Do Next
Once your springs are replaced, a good technician will also check your cables, rollers, and opener settings, since these components work in sync with the springs and often show wear at the same time. Ask for a full system balance test. the door should rise smoothly and stay in place when opened halfway without drifting up or down.
If you're not sure whether your springs are nearing the end of their life, a tune-up inspection is an easy way to find out before you're stranded. Garage Door Lakewood serves homeowners throughout Lakewood and the surrounding west Denver area. Schedule a service call and we'll give you a straight assessment. no upselling, just an honest look at what your system needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long do garage door springs last in Lakewood, Colorado? A: Standard springs are rated for 10,000,15,000 cycles. In Lakewood's climate, where freeze-thaw cycles add extra stress, many homeowners find springs lasting 7,10 years with normal use. High-cycle springs (rated for 25,000+ cycles) are available and worth the upgrade if you use your garage door frequently.
Q: Can I open my garage door manually if the spring is broken? A: Technically yes, but it won't be easy. A standard two-car garage door weighs 150,250 pounds, and without working springs, you're lifting nearly all of that weight yourself. If you need to get your car out in an emergency, disengage the opener with the red emergency cord and lift carefully with help. but don't make a habit of it, and get the spring replaced as soon as possible.
Q: Why did my garage door spring break in the middle of winter? A: This is very common in Lakewood. Cold temperatures make metal more brittle, and springs that are already worn from years of cycles are most vulnerable when temps drop hard. January and February see the highest rate of spring failures in the area. If your springs are more than 7 years old, a pre-winter inspection is genuinely worthwhile. see our full maintenance guide for seasonal tips.