Springs are rated in cycles, not years
One cycle is a single open-and-close. A spring rated for 10,000 cycles lasts about 5–7 years for a typical household opening the door 4–6 times a day. A larger family — or a door that doubles as the main entrance — burns through cycles faster.
Why Arizona heat shortens spring life
Spring steel doesn't love temperature swings, and Tucson delivers them daily. The expansion-and-contraction cycle, amplified at elevation in places like Catalina and the foothills, fatigues the metal on top of normal use. That's why builder-grade springs here tend to hit — not exceed — their rated count.
How to make springs last longer
A few habits meaningfully extend spring life:
- Lubricate the springs and moving hardware 2–3 times a year
- Schedule an annual tune-up to catch wear and rebalance the door
- Upgrade to high-cycle springs when you replace — they reset the clock far longer
- Don't ignore a noisy or jerky door; small issues accelerate spring wear