TORSION SPRINGS - OIL TEMPERED VS. GALVANIZED
There are two types of garage door replacement torsion springs available... Oil Tempered Springs & Zinc Galvanized Springs. Both oil tempered springs and zinc galvanized springs are made from the same metal, steel rod. Oil tempered are coated, heated and quenched in oil and zinc galvanized springs are covered in protective coat of zinc.
Galvanizing is a process of applying bonding a zinc coating to the surface of the wire.
Oil tempering is an additional step in the process after the wire is drawn in which oil is used to heat-treat the wire to give it certain properties. The wire is heated to a very high temperature - in excess of 1500 degrees Fahrenheit - then cooled rapidly or quenched using oil, and then reheated again to a very high temperature.
We install oil tempered springs which are known to be the better garage door spring installed today for they hold their tensile strength longer which keeps your door balanced. Keeping your door balanced requires less maintenance and service on the springs and other parts of your door.
Below are cons and pros of each type of garage door torsion springs:
OIL TEMPERED SPRINGS
Oil tempered springs are hardened, heated, and quenched in oil. They are coated with paint like substance and has been electrically bonded. The wires are heated and then heated again in very high temperatures in order to resist static pressures. They are known to be the better pick since they hold their tension much longer than galvanized springs.
PROS
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Holds their tensile strength far longer than galvanized springs and your door will stay balanced much longer than zinc galvanized springs. The galvanized springs will have lost approximately 9-15% of their tensile strength over a year causing the garage door to no longer be balanced.
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Keeping your door balanced will prolong the life of your door's operational parts. It also helps keep your door safer from becoming off track.
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Since they keep their tension, they rarely ever need to be tightened. Re-tightening the springs can over exhaust that limit and reduce the cycle life.
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Oil tempered springs are more durable than galvanized springs since galvanizing the steel spring weakens them.
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You'll save more in the long run since you will not need to readjust the oil tempered torsion springs as often just to keep your garage door balanced.
CONS
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Installer need to be careful not to get oily film on panels or other surfaces or need to be wiped off.
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Coating the steel springs leaves possible room for moisture to penetrate the metal and cause rusting but with regular lubrication they do well.
GALVANIZED SPRINGS
Zinc galvanized springs are dipped into hot zinc and spray coated using electrical bonding process. The wires are not heated but are painted with zinc plated coatings. They lose their tension and requires more maintenance than oil-tempered springs.
PROS
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During installation, the installer does not have to be careful not to leave oily film on surfaces.
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More resistant to rust and scratching.
CONS
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Loses a large percentage of their tensile strength causing the garage door to no longer be balanced much quicker than oil-tempered springs. In order to re-balance the door a service visit will be required at an added cost to you. Each time tension is added to your springs, it shortens the life it. Since galvanized torsion springs continue to lose their tensile strength you'll need to re-balance the door more often then oil-tempered springs.
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Galvanized springs need more adjustment over the life of the spring than oil tempered steel spring. These adjustments require adding tension to the springs which in turn shortens the life cycle of the springs.
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When galvanized springs lose their tension it creates added strain on your garage door opener which can lead to repair costs.
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May make a high pitched screeching sound when they rotate. Galvanized springs tend to make noise as they rotate and these high-pitched noises can become more pronounced as the torsion springs age.
It is best to make it a practice of oiling your spring with quality garage door lubricant 2-3 times per year. Lubrication is the key to prolonging the life of your garage door spring be it oil tempered or galvanized. Oil will prevent rust from forming and thus help to prolong the life of your garage door springs.
