Sectional roll up garage doors with extension springs can be common in certain areas of the U.S. They expand when the garage door goes down and contract when door opens. They are located above the horizontal track that door rolls up into when open.

Torsion springs when wound up apply a balance of weight to the torsion pole and the pole is attached to 2 cable drums that wind up the cable attached to the bottom of door. This is the preferred spring system to have on a sectional roll up door.

Extension springs expand and contract individually

that’s why the door doesn’t open or close in a level manner. This occurs when the springs start to lose strength.

I have found working in all different regions of the US that extensions are more common in the north and northeast part of the country. In the south and western states torsion springs are more common. My guess is newer construction areas tend to have torsion springs. And areas that have homes built 50-100 years ago will typically have some sort of extension springs.

Doors with extension springs tend to more door issues when they age. When the springs start to stretch out over time they make the door bounce around in the track. If a customer is having this problem, I will suggest to the homeowner to convert to torsion springs. Parts needed are not very expensive. This makes cost reasonable to customer. And eliminate problems in the future.