Wait Time for new Garage Door

[MossRoad]

I figured I would close this out with my final decision. While prices and wait times were a bit of a variable the one constant was peoples inability to quote on a product that was exactly what I wanted. A couple of installers never even called me back. Others built in some sort of variable or just flat didn't quote what I asked for. I guess this business is booming.

One quote for a door with half the insulation value I asked for also had a disclaimer saying dents and scratches are common and to be expected on the new door.

I ended up ordering a set of springs for my old door and installing those myself. I found a video of the operation on You Tube that explained and demonstrated just how easy it was. The actual installation of the springs took less than an hour.

My old door had mismatched springs from the last person I paid to replace them. I had also not attached the opener correctly so that was on me.

I had purchased a new belt drive Genie opener to accommodate a heavier insulated door so I went ahead and installed it on my old door. I straightened the top panel as best I could and reinforced it for correct opener attachment. To my surprise the old door now opens and closes super smooth and quiet.

Maybe the world will return to normal some day and I will revisit buying a new insulated door. Something tells me I will end up installing that myself too.

Quotes to just have springs installed were $275 to $300. I paid $65 for a set of springs through HD. They even came with a pair of winding bars. The new opener was $188 before tax. Doing it myself I figure I got the opener for free and made a few bucks for my time.

And you learned a valuable skill.

 

[MoKelly]

I figured I would close this out with my final decision. While prices and wait times were a bit of a variable the one constant was peoples inability to quote on a product that was exactly what I wanted. A couple of installers never even called me back. Others built in some sort of variable or just flat didn't quote what I asked for. I guess this business is booming.

One quote for a door with half the insulation value I asked for also had a disclaimer saying dents and scratches are common and to be expected on the new door.

I ended up ordering a set of springs for my old door and installing those myself. I found a video of the operation on You Tube that explained and demonstrated just how easy it was. The actual installation of the springs took less than an hour.

My old door had mismatched springs from the last person I paid to replace them. I had also not attached the opener correctly so that was on me.

I had purchased a new belt drive Genie opener to accommodate a heavier insulated door so I went ahead and installed it on my old door. I straightened the top panel as best I could and reinforced it for correct opener attachment. To my surprise the old door now opens and closes super smooth and quiet.

Maybe the world will return to normal some day and I will revisit buying a new insulated door. Something tells me I will end up installing that myself too.

Quotes to just have springs installed were $275 to $300. I paid $65 for a set of springs through HD. They even came with a pair of winding bars. The new opener was $188 before tax. Doing it myself I figure I got the opener for free and made a few bucks for my time.

Congrats! Good job.

Even more important to you, I bet, is the job is done and you don’t have to deal with these folks who seemingly don’t care about your requests.

MoKelly

 

[ponytug]

FWIW: mismatched springs aren't uncommon. Installers are trying to get a particular counter balance force, and sometimes it is easier to do with two different springs. Nothing wrong with it, at least until some later looks at one spring and then orders one to match.

I have to admit that winding springs gives me butterflies. I have seen the damage a broken spring can do, and I wouldn't want to be close when one broke.

Nice to know that HD supplied winding bars with the springs!

Thanks for sharing.

All the best,

Peter

 

[bigtiller]

The belt drive openers are great. I love how quiet they are...match it up with nylon rollers on the door and you'll never hear it from the house. That is, if you have an attached garage.

 

[TractorGuy]

FWIW: mismatched springs aren't uncommon. Installers are trying to get a particular counter balance force, and sometimes it is easier to do with two different springs. Nothing wrong with it, at least until some later looks at one spring and then orders one to match.

I have to admit that winding springs gives me butterflies. I have seen the damage a broken spring can do, and I wouldn't want to be close when one broke.

Nice to know that HD supplied winding bars with the springs!

Thanks for sharing.

All the best,

Peter

The existing door NEVER worked smoothly after the last guy installed the mismatched springs. His dad installed two sets of matching springs before him and the door worked okay. They tend to break every 8 to 10 years. Both of the door installers that looked at the door for replacement commented on it having the "wrong" springs.

I can't blame all of the problems it had before on the springs or installer. I had attached the opener to the top strut. This time I reinforced the top panel and attached the opener to the center area.

 

[ponytug]

Thanks kind of funny. Our door was installed by my spring installer's dad- with two different springs. After fifty odd years, one broke, I called the company and the son came out to do a replacement spring, still mismatched. The son explained the logic for having different springs, and had a little table for how many winds on which spring so that the load was shared correctly between the two springs.

So, I am no expert, just sharing what I was told, but it seemed like he knew what he was doing and followed the plan.

I also replaced the old chain drive with a rubber drive at the same time. Wow! So much quieter and smoother.

All the best,

Peter

 

[TractorGuy]

I am certainly no expert either. I know the original springs and at least one set of replacements matched. I'm not sure how or if it matters since both springs put tension on a common rod.

When searching for "mismatched torsion springs on a garage door" the first link returned says this.

My Springs Are Different Sizes

If the springs on your garage door are different sizes make sure to identify the best match for your door. After identifying the correct spring size make sure that the replacements all match. Mismatched springs will cause other problems like an unbalanced door or wear down the door opener.

 

[MarkTwels]

The existing door NEVER worked smoothly after the last guy installed the mismatched springs. His dad installed two sets of matching springs before him and the door worked okay. They tend to break every 8 to 10 years. Both of the door installers that looked at the door for replacement commented on it having the "wrong" springs.

I can't blame all of the problems it had before on the springs or installer. I had attached the opener to the top strut. This time I reinforced the top panel and attached the opener to the center area.

Mismatched springs can indeed be a challenge, and safety is a big concern when dealing with them. I can understand why winding springs give you butterflies, as I've heard stories about the damage they can cause if they break.I had a similar issue with my garage door a while back. It never worked smoothly after a previous installation, and I had to reinforce the top panel and make adjustments to the opener attachment too.Thanks for sharing your insight and tips! It's helpful for others facing similar issues. If anyone here needs assistance with their garage door, I came across a website that might be helpful: https://fixgaragedoors.ca/service-areas/garage-door-repair-in-georgetown/. It's always good to have reliable resources for repairs!