(866) 963-3157
Door weight plays a major role in determining what size springs you will need for your garage door. In fact, if you plan on converting from extension springs to torsion springs, it’s nearly impossible to calculate what size springs you will need without the weight.
While we’ve previously covered how to weigh a garage door with torsion springs, weighing a garage door with extension springs is a bit different.
Read on to learn how to weigh a garage door with extension springs!
How To Weigh A Garage Door With Extension Springs
Follow the steps below to weigh a garage door with extension springs. As always, we encourage you to consult with local experts if you do not feel comfortable weighing the door yourself. Remember to ALWAYS follow all the safety precautions provided by any tool or equipment manufacturer. Please also follow all accepted safety procedures.
Step 1: Disconnect the Operator Arm
The first step in weighing a garage door with extension springs is to disconnect the operator arm from the door if you have an opener installed. To do so, you can disengage the pin from the system’s attachment bracket. Do NOT simply just pull the red emergency release cord. Doing so could lead to an incorrect measurement.
Step 2: Remove Spring Tension
Next, you will need to remove all tension from the springs. If you have the capability to do so, you can uninstall the extension springs when the door is open. However, be sure to place vice grips under the bottom rollers on each side of the door. This will keep the door from accidentally slamming shut.
Step 3: Weigh the Door
Finally, it’s time to weigh the door. We recommend always using an analog bathroom scale when weighing a garage door. Analog scales provide much more accurate readings than their digital counterparts. Also, be sure the scale is on a level, un-pitched surface. Unlevel surfaces may cause inaccurate readings.
Carefully lower the garage door to the floor by hand and slide the scale under the center of it. Heavier doors, such as two-car garage doors, will likely need two people to get the door into the correct position safely. As an added precaution, you can use a 2x4 wooden block on top of the scale that is lined up with the bottom of the door. Be sure to get at least a few readings for accuracy.
Weighing A Garage Door With Extension Springs Summary
You should be able to get an accurate weight of your garage door by following the steps above. Once you do, if you need help determining your spring size, please fill out this form and we’ll calculate it for you!
