Springing Systems

Safety is high on the list at Clopay. To maintain the safety of your garage door and avoid injuries or property damage you must carefully consider your door’s spring system. Garage doors use either extension springs (one either side of the track, often used on lighter doors), or torsion springs (typically one or two along the wall above the door opening for heavier doors).

Extension Spring                                            Torsion Spring

A well-designed spring system counterbalances your garage door. Clopay matches each garage door with a spring system that provides even and safe counterbalancing.

Clopay has been constantly improving its spring systems, and they are considered among the best in the industry. As a consumer concerned about safety, you should evaluate a few things when comparing springing systems.

Spring Safety

Spring Installation Clopay strongly recommends that standard torsion springs be installed only by a professional who has been trained and has the proper equipment. Even standard extension springs can be tricky. Be sure to follow installation instructions included with your door if you install extension springs. Click here for installation manual.

If you want to install your door yourself, Clopay’s EZ-SET® Spring Systems are a real breakthrough for do-it-yourselfers. EZ-SET Spring Systems include the EZ-SET Extension Spring System and the EZ-SET Torsion Spring System. EZ-SET is safer and uses common tools (3/8" drill) to install versus the specialized tools required on standard spring systems.

EZ-SET Extension                                             EZ-SET Torsion

Safety Containment Cables
Clopay brand extension springs come with our safety containment cable system that runs through the entire length of the spring and prevents loose ends from flying loose and potentially causing damage or injury. If you have extension springs, check to see if they utilize a safety containment cable.

The shaft that torsion springs are mounted on act as the containment system on that type of spring system.

Safe-T-Bracket
Many injuries occur when unqualified do-it-yourselfers attempt to remove or adjust the bottom bracket that connects the lifting cables to the spring system. This bracket is under the tension of powerful springs and when it becomes less than securely anchored, it can pull out of the door and cause injuries or property damage. That’s why Clopay invented its patented Safe-T-Bracket™. Under normal circumstances, this bracket cannot be removed until after the spring tension has been eliminated.

Galvanized Springs
In 2002 Clopay introduced galvanized torsion springs on its standard size residential doors. These offer not only an attractive polished appearance that resists corrosion, but also 50% longer life than oil tempered springs.

Types of Springing Systems

Standard Extension Springs
These are coiled springs installed above the door’s horizontal track. They can be installed by the do-it-yourselfer by closely following the installation instructions and safety warnings.

Standard Torsion Springs
These include a shaft, spring and a drum assembly, normally installed directly above the door opening. The torsion spring distributes the weight of the door more evenly, particularly with a very wide extremely heavy door. Standard torsion springs should be installed and removed only by a garage door professional.

EZ-SET Spring Systems
Clopay’s EZ-SET Spring Systems are a real breakthrough for do-it-yourselfers because the most difficult part of an install-setting spring tension can now be accomplished with a 3/8" power drill in just seconds. Plus, a user-friendly 45 degree drill input angle typically allows do-it-yourselfers to stand securely on the ground, not on a ladder as needed by competitive spring systems. This eliminates the need to manually lift the deadweight of an unsprung door. If you buy your door from Home Depot, EZ-SET is standard on select Clopay doors or can be special ordered from Home Depot or a dealer. Both EZ-SET systems include a complete installation video.

The EZ-SET Extension Spring System
Clopay’s patented EZ-SET Extension Spring System is designed with the DIY’er in mind, making installation simpler and safer. It also eliminates the need to manually lift the deadweight of unsprung doors. We recommend that if you choose to install a door with extension springs, you consider EZ-SET.

The EZ-SET Torsion Spring System
The EZ-SET Torsion Spring System eliminates the difficult and dangerous manual winding process–once a job for professionals only with the proper equipment and training. And with this system you don’t have to locate and prepare the center mounting pad!