DIYbanter - View Single Post - Why would a garage door torsion spring break & is two betterthan one?

wrote:
Bill Seurer wrote:

The spring(s) should be sized to the door.

Does a garage door with an electric opener need a spring?

What ever happened to counterweights?

Nick

Not a question of having an electric opener or not; same deal with a manual
door. A spring takes the weight of the door and acts as the counterweight.
Sure a chain, pully system, and the right weight will do the same thing, but
setting them up in an unobstrusive place may be a problem. You don't want
the weights to come down on you car or your kids standing in the garage when
you open the door.

Electric openers can be made to overcome the door weight, but then they
become more expensive. Then their is the safety factor of h aving a heavy
door come down if the link breaks and no spring or counterweight is in
place.
--
Ed

http://pages.cthome.net/edhome