October 18, 2025

Hurricane-Proof Assurance: Choosing Miami-Dade Approved, Energy‑Efficient Impact Windows Over Shutters

STS Impact Windows & Doors

STS Impact Windows, Doors & Roofing is a veteran-owned company based in South Florida that specializes in premium hurricane protection solutions, including impact windows, doors, custom storefronts, and roofing. Combining over 25 years of industry experience with military precision, STS provides expert installation, full transparency, and outstanding customer service, backed by a leading 3-year installation warranty. Their comprehensive services ensure security and peace of mind for both residential and commercial clients, with a strong focus on quality, reliability, and efficiency.

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1000 Holland Dr #10, Boca Raton, 33487, US

Business Hours

  • Monday: 08:00 - 17:00
  • Tuesday: 08:00 - 17:00
  • Wednesday: 08:00 - 17:00
  • Thursday: 08:00 - 17:00
  • Friday: 08:00 - 17:00
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: Closed
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STS Impact Windows and Doors is a business
STS Impact Windows and Doors is based in Boca Raton Florida
STS Impact Windows and Doors is located at 1000 Holland Dr Suite 10 Boca Raton FL 33487 United States
STS Impact Windows and Doors operates in the United States
STS Impact Windows and Doors is a veteran owned company
STS Impact Windows and Doors specializes in hurricane protection solutions
STS Impact Windows and Doors provides impact windows
STS Impact Windows and Doors provides impact doors
STS Impact Windows and Doors provides custom storefronts
STS Impact Windows and Doors provides roofing services
STS Impact Windows and Doors provides expert installation
STS Impact Windows and Doors provides full transparency
STS Impact Windows and Doors provides outstanding customer service
STS Impact Windows and Doors has over 25 years of industry experience
STS Impact Windows and Doors offers a 3 year installation warranty
STS Impact Windows and Doors serves residential clients
STS Impact Windows and Doors serves commercial clients
STS Impact Windows and Doors focuses on quality reliability and efficiency
STS Impact Windows and Doors has phone number 5616001018
STS Impact Windows and Doors has website https://stswindows.com/
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STS Impact Windows and Doors has opening hours Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm
STS Impact Windows and Doors was awarded South Florida Veteran Owned Business Excellence Award
STS Impact Windows and Doors was awarded Best Hurricane Protection Provider 2023 Florida
STS Impact Windows and Doors was awarded Angis Super Service Award for Window Installation

People Also Ask about STS Impact Windows and Doors

What does STS Impact Windows and Doors do?

STS Impact Windows and Doors specializes in hurricane protection solutions, offering high-quality impact windows, storm-resistant doors, custom storefronts, and professional roofing services. With expert installation, full transparency, and outstanding customer service, the company ensures homes and businesses stay secure and energy-efficient.

Where is STS Impact Windows and Doors located?

STS Impact Windows and Doors is located at 1000 Holland Dr Suite 10, Boca Raton, FL 33487, United States. The company proudly serves residential and commercial clients across Florida and throughout the United States, delivering reliable storm protection solutions. View their location on Google Maps.

Is STS Impact Windows and Doors a veteran-owned business?

Yes, STS Impact Windows and Doors is a veteran-owned company recognized for its dedication, integrity, and service to the community. This background adds an extra level of trust and reliability for homeowners and businesses seeking storm protection solutions.

What services does STS Impact Windows and Doors provide?

STS Impact Windows and Doors provides a wide range of services including the installation of hurricane impact windows, impact doors, custom commercial storefronts, and roofing services. Each project is backed by expert craftsmanship, a 3-year installation warranty, and over 25 years of industry experience.

Who does STS Impact Windows and Doors serve?

The company proudly serves both residential homeowners and commercial property owners. From protecting family homes to fortifying businesses with hurricane-rated storefronts, STS Impact Windows and Doors delivers customized solutions that ensure safety, durability, and efficiency.

What are the benefits of choosing STS Impact Windows and Doors?

Clients benefit from the company’s focus on quality, reliability, and efficiency. Their impact-resistant windows and doors not only enhance security and hurricane protection but also improve energy efficiency, reduce noise, and increase property value. With a 3-year installation warranty, customers can trust in long-term performance and peace of mind.

What awards has STS Impact Windows and Doors won?

STS Impact Windows and Doors has been recognized with multiple industry honors, including the South Florida Veteran Owned Business Excellence Award, Best Hurricane Protection Provider 2023 Florida, and the Angi’s Super Service Award for Window Installation. These awards highlight their commitment to excellence, customer satisfaction, and industry leadership.

How can I contact STS Impact Windows and Doors?

You can reach STS Impact Windows and Doors by phone at 561-600-1018 or visit their website at stswindows.com. They are open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm and are available on Facebook and Instagram for updates and project showcases.


Business Name: STS Impact Windows & Doors
Address: 1000 Holland Dr #10, Boca Raton, FL 33487, United States
Phone: (561)-600-1018

Hurricane season shapes life along Florida's coasts. You feel it in the way next-door neighbors track tropical waves, the pre-storm rush to stockpile, and the routine of transporting ladders to mount panels. After 20 years specifying, setting up, and repairing structure envelopes from Key Largo to Palm Beach, I have actually seen what holds up and what doesn't. When the goal is genuine security with year-round convenience, Miami-Dade approved, energy‑efficient impact windows outperform shutters in ways that go beyond storm day. They change how a home feels in August, how peaceful your living-room stays on a Saturday night, and how positive you are when a storm line spins up much faster than predicted.

This is a useful take a look at why lots of South Florida property owners are moving from shutters to hurricane impact-resistant windows, how to check out the standards behind "Miami-Dade authorized," what materials matter, and how to get the setup right the very first time.

What "Miami-Dade Approved" in fact means

Miami-Dade County's Product Control Department sets among the most difficult criteria in the country for developing parts exposed to windborne particles. Approval is not a marketing sticker. It is earned through particular laboratory tests that replicate real typhoon conditions.

First comes large rocket impact. A 9-pound 2x4 is shot at the glass at roughly 34 miles per hour. That mimics roof tiles, branches, or pieces of fencing that fly in the eyewall. After the effect, the exact same system faces cyclic pressure loading, countless pressurization and depressurization cycles that imitate quick wind gusts over hours. If the glass stays in the frame without letting the envelope breach, it passes. The difference in between "satisfies Florida building code windows" and "Miami-Dade authorized windows" often resides in these test thresholds. Miami-Dade is just stiffer, especially in High Velocity Cyclone Zone requirements, which include Miami-Dade and Broward.

Wind rankings vary by opening size and design pressures, represented as PSF worths. On ocean-facing properties or high-rises, I typically specify units ranked at +60/ -80 PSF or higher. Inland or in more secured direct exposures, scores in the impact door installation +45/ -60 PSF range can suffice, but you size and specification based upon the website's wind map, developing height, and surrounding structures. An expert understands that a corner direct exposure at the 2nd story needs various reinforcement than a protected window under a deep porch.

Why effect windows alter the everyday experience, not simply storm season

Hurricane shutters vs effect windows is not a one-to-one contrast. Shutters can satisfy code, and they're better than absolutely nothing. But they ask you to do work at the worst possible time. When a watch turns to a caution and the projection track tightens up, the last thing you desire is a ladder, a dead cordless drill, and a missing wing nut.

Impact windows reside in place. You get continuous defense, even if a pop-up storm surprises you while you're stuck on United States 1. You also get advantages every day of the year.

Noise control is the most underappreciated advantage. Laminated effect glass is basically a sandwich: two panes of glass bonded by a resilient interlayer, normally PVB interlayer glass or SentryGlas. That interlayer damps sound. On tasks along hectic passages like Biscayne Boulevard or near flight courses, I have actually determined interior noise drops in the 5 to 10 decibel range, sometimes more when coupled with insulated glass units.

Security enhances due to the fact that laminated glass withstands forced entry. A robber can shatter the external lite with a hammer, however the interlayer holds the shards. They meet a sticky, stubborn membrane rather of a fast path inside. Insurance coverage underwriters understand this, which is why policies frequently use credits for impact doors and windows. In my projects, premiums usually drop 10 to 25 percent, depending on the carrier and how many openings are protected.

Energy efficiency is the third pillar. Energy-efficient impact windows with contemporary low-E impact glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while protecting visible light. That implies less a/c demand, particularly on west and south direct exposures where the afternoon sun punishes interiors. In one Coral Gables retrofit, we replaced 1980s single-pane sliders with laminated low-E impact systems. Summer afternoon peak load visited approximately a ton of cooling, and the home's annual electrical energy usage fell in between 12 and 18 percent. Outcomes vary with shading, attic insulation, and heating and cooling effectiveness, however the instructions is consistent.

Material options that matter: glass, interlayers, and frames

Laminated impact glass is the heart of the system, but not all laminated products are equal.

Most residential typhoon windows use a PVB interlayer glass stack, frequently 0.030 to 0.090 inches thick in single or multiple plies. Thicker interlayers improve effect resistance and sound control, but they add weight and expense. For oceanfront or high openings, you may see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and stronger than PVB, enabling thinner sections to accomplish greater design pressures. For noise-sensitive sites, acoustic PVB formulations modify the polymer to better absorb sound in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz range, where traffic and voices sit.

Tempered glass windows come up typically in conversations due to the fact that tempered glass is stronger in bending than annealed glass. That's true, and tempered lites are frequently used as the outer or inner ply in an effect unit. But tempered alone is not impact-resistant in the hurricane sense. When it fails, it explodes into small cubes and falls out of the frame, which leaves the opening susceptible. tempered glass strength rating The impact performance originates from laminated construction, not tempering by itself. Numerous systems use a tempered external lite laminated to an annealed inner lite, or both tempered, but always bonded through a PVB or ionoplast interlayer.

Low-E coatings matter for comfort. A soft-coat low-E tuned for South Florida normally targets a solar heat gain coefficient in the 0.25 to 0.35 range while keeping visible light transmission around 50 percent or greater. Go too low on SHGC and the glass can look gray or green, particularly in larger openings. The sweet spot depends on your façade orientation and shading. On east and west elevations, I often tighten up SHGC and accept a small tint to manage early morning and afternoon blasts. On north elevations, I favor greater noticeable transmittance for daylighting.

Frames are the other half of the story. Aluminum frames control here because they handle large openings and will not swell. Thermal breaks and enhanced glazing gaskets have actually narrowed the energy gap with vinyl. High-quality vinyl impact frames, when enhanced properly, can carry out well for standard-sized openings and have better insulating values, but I prevent them for extremely large sliders or tall storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad units look gorgeous in older Mediterranean Revival homes, but they require cautious upkeep and clever flashing. The Florida sun ruins low-cost vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum finishes quickly. Try to find powder-coated finishes rated for coastal exposure, and demand written service warranty information in salt-air environments.

The covert hero: installation that respects the load path

Window setup can make or break efficiency. An expensive system set up like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's stress test. The load path is the crux. Impact forces need to travel from the glass through the frame, to the anchors, into the substrate, and then into the structure's framing or masonry.

In concrete block building and construction, you want stainless or hot-dipped galvanized anchors embedded into strong product. Hollow cells should be grouted or you need to strike the bond beam. Tapcons in soft, unfilled block are a failure waiting to take place. In wood-framed houses, structural screws need to bite into solid trimmers, not simply sheathing. Shimming and plumb alignment matter so the locks engage cleanly and the weatherstripping compresses evenly.

The sealant joint is not simply aesthetic. A correctly sized backer rod and premium polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant create a durable, flexible seal that deals with thermal growth. Too small a bead and it tears under movement. Too huge and it cures poorly. On coastal tasks, I never ever match different metals without a barrier, and I constantly define corrosion-resistant fasteners. 10 years later, you will see who took shortcuts.

Flashing is the other non-negotiable. Pan flashing at sills, self-adhered membranes at jambs and heads, and combination with the water-resistive barrier are vital. If you count on sealant alone, water will discover its method. That wetness may disappoint up as a drip. It may rot a sill plate gradually, then betray itself as a buckling floor or a musty smell 2 typhoon seasons later.

Shutters in the real life, and where they still make sense

I have absolutely nothing versus well-designed shutters. Accordion shutters that are kept and oiled, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even removable panels stored carefully can secure homes successfully. They likewise assist in particular cases.

Second homes or seasonal leasings where budget is tight in some cases lean on shutters to fulfill the Florida building regulations windows requirement for protected openings. On specialized openings like a lanai that is seldom utilized in summer, a clean motorized roll-down can be sensible, specifically if coupling with impact doors and windows in other places stresses the budget plan. For homeowners who plan to move within a year, shutters can be a brief bridge to compliance before a sale.

But shutters bring trade-offs. They darken your home when released, and they need action at precisely the time you are handling insurance papers, gas cans, and family logistics. Throughout Typhoon Irma, I viewed a next-door neighbor attempt to mount steel panels hours before landfall. The ladder sank in saturated soil, a panel slipped, and we spent the next hour in the urgent care waiting room. He made it through with stitches. His living-room window did not. Shutters likewise rattle and can vibrate under sustained winds, in some cases loosening fasteners with time if not maintained.

For long-lasting owners who want to set it and forget it, effect windows provide typhoon evidence windows protection while protecting daylight and view. The convenience grows valuable once you've experienced one storm season with absolutely no prep beyond locking the sash.

The energy story: how glass specifications equate to convenience and bills

South Florida homes fight 2 battles: latent load from humidity and sensible load from direct solar heat gain. Effect glass upgrades can help both if defined intelligently.

Low-E effect glass uses microscopically thin metallic layers to show infrared energy while letting noticeable light through. With the best coating stacks, you can block a large part of convected heat and UV. UV obstruction in laminated systems comes mostly from the interlayer itself, which typically filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, lowering fading of materials and floor covering. Add the low-E, and you curb the solar heat that drives your a/c crazy midafternoon.

I evaluate glass specs with three numbers: U-factor, SHGC, and VT. While U-factor matters more up north, it still assists here by reducing nighttime heat circulation and keeping the interior glass temperature closer to space temperature level, which lowers condensation danger. SHGC drives just how much solar heat gets in. VT affects how bright the interior feels. Balance is crucial. Some homeowners desire the crisp, clear look of higher VT, even if it implies accepting a few degrees more heat in late afternoon, because their landscaping and roof overhangs already do some shading. Others choose a more powerful tint for glare control on waterside lots that show harsh light.

In useful terms, going from clear single-pane sliders to contemporary low-E laminated double-glazed systems can lower peak solar gains by 30 to 50 percent on the most exposed sides. Couple that with tuned overhangs, light-colored outside finishes, and a correctly sized variable-speed a/c, and you begin to build durability. If the grid decreases and you change to a generator, a lower cooling load suggests a smaller generator and less gallons of fuel.

Reading labels and approvals without getting lost in alphabet soup

Miami-Dade Notification of Acceptance, or NOA, is the file you request. It information the authorized configurations, sizes, anchors, and pressures tested. It is insufficient to hear "these are Miami-Dade authorized windows" in a display room. Confirm the NOA matches the exact model and choices you are purchasing, including the glazing makeup and hardware. If you remain in Broward or Miami-Dade, your allowing workplace will want this paper trail.

Statewide, the Florida Item Approval system offers FL numbers that show code compliance. In the rest of the state outside the High Speed Hurricane Zone, Florida building regulations windows can depend on Florida Item Approval without Miami-Dade specific NOAs. Lots of leading producers bring both. Where spending plans enable, I prefer NOA items even outside the zone due to the fact that the screening is stiffer.

NFRC labels manage energy metrics. They will not inform you impact performance, but they reveal U-factor, SHGC, VT, and air leak. Go for air leakage at or below 0.3 cfm/ft TWO. Tighter is better for humidity control, but make certain your home still has actually balanced ventilation. Sealing the envelope and ignoring fresh air is a dish for indoor air quality complaints.

Dollars and sense: what to expect on expense, savings, and resale

Impact windows cost more upfront than shutters. There's no spin around that. Installed expenses differ with size, shape, finish, and gain access to. On uncomplicated single-family homes, per-opening expenses frequently land between 1,200 and 3,000 dollars for standard sizes. Big multi-panel sliders, custom arches, and coastal-grade finishes raise the numbers quickly.

Where you recoup worth:

  • Insurance credits build up, frequently 10 to 25 percent off premiums when all openings are protected.
  • Energy cost savings, generally 8 to 20 percent on yearly cooling costs in older homes after a full window upgrade paired with sealing and attic improvements.
  • Resale appeal, particularly in markets where purchasers expect impact windows and doors as a baseline. A home with accordion shutters competes, but a home with storm effect windows reveals much better, feels quieter, and normally appraises stronger.

If you plan to own the property for 5 years or more, the math often tilts in favor of effect windows, particularly when you factor the intangible of peace of mind. If you plan to sell within a year and need to reveal compliance quickly, shutters might make more short-term sense. Context matters.

Details that separate good systems from fantastic ones

I pay attention to hardware and accessories. Multi-point locks on casements and awnings enhance seal compression and security. For sliders, robust tandem rollers in stainless housings slide smoother and last longer on sandy outdoor patios. Take a look at the sill design on sliding doors. Weep systems ought to be crafted to drain heavy rains without letting wind-driven water blow back in. Ask to see a cutaway sample in the showroom.

Tint colors and reflectivity are more than fashion. Reflective movies can run afoul of neighborhood associations or produce mirror-like glare towards neighboring homes. In seaside ecosystems, extremely reflective glass can puzzle birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Local pros understand which coverings balance efficiency with compliance.

Color stability is a huge deal. Dark bronze or black frames look wonderful on modern homes, but in Florida sun cheap surfaces chalk and fade. AAMA 2605-rated coverings offer the best color retention and chalk resistance. I define them for coastal direct exposures whenever budget plans allow.

Special cases: historical homes, apartments, and challenging openings

Historic districts frequently require profiles that simulate old wood sash sightlines. There are impact-rated windows that fit these requirements, but lead times lengthen and costs climb. Expect extra review by architectural boards, and line up a contractor knowledgeable about these submissions.

Condos have another layer of governance. Associations in some cases specify a narrow list of authorized items for uniformity. They also appreciate noise control between units. If your building sits directly on Collins Opportunity or faces a busy beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated choices. Deal with building management on staging and lift gain access to. Weekend work windows and limited parking can include days and dollars.

Large openings, like a 16-foot-wide slider, need unique attention in style pressure, deflection, and running hardware. Not every system that looks tough in a display room fulfills the wind loads on a ninth-floor balcony. Do not count on catalog optimum sizes. Use the NOA tables that represent your website's zone, positive and negative pressures, and mullion mixes if any.

What a clean project looks like from survey to final inspection

The best tasks begin with a determined survey and direct exposure analysis. You map each opening, note the substrate, and recognize any framing irregularities or settlement fractures. During proposal, the contractor reveals you the NOA and the Florida Item Approval, lists anchor types, and explains how each opening will be flashed and sealed. They prepare for stucco or drywall repair work, not pretend no damage will occur.

On set up day, they remove one opening at a time to keep the house protected. They safeguard floors, pull back window treatments, and cap sprinklers. Old frames bring out care to protect interior surfaces. New systems get dry-fit, shimmed, and anchored per the schedule. The crew checks squareness and diagonals before setting sealant. They photo anchors for the license file, specifically if they will be hidden. After glazing, they water-test with a controlled spray to confirm drainage paths and seals. The inspector sees a neat jobsite, clear labels, and documentation in order.

Six months later, your windows still close with 2 fingers, locks bite smoothly, and there is no secret rattle throughout thunderstorms. You did not need to call for a roller change after the very first week. That is the standard.

Frequently misunderstood points that cost property owners later

Impact ranking does not equivalent breakproof. Laminated glass can crack under serious impacts, but it ought to stay in the frame and hold together. After a storm that sends out debris into the glass, you may see star cracks or spidering. The window did its job. Change the sash or IGU after the event.

Window films do not transform non-impact windows into hurricane impact-resistant windows. They can add shatter resistance, however they do not replacement for an evaluated, anchored system. Your insurance company and building department will not count movies as protected openings.

Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient effect windows reduce air leak. That's fantastic, however it increases the significance of a correctly sized heating and cooling with good dehumidification. If your system is large, the thermostat satisfies quickly and stops working to pull enough moisture from the air. Ask your heating and cooling pro to check sensible heat ratio, air flow, and run time. You desire stable, longer cycles, not short bursts.

Maintenance is uncomplicated but not optional. Clean weep holes on sliders, wash salt spray from frames, and lube hardware every year with a silicone-based item that will not gum up in heat. Small habits extend lifespan.

When shutters still belong in the conversation

There are legitimate reasons to mix solutions. A set of hardly ever utilized garage windows can keep removable panels to shave spending plan. A deep-set deck with minimal sun direct exposure might do great with accordion shutters if you focus on other upgrades like a new roofing system deck accessory or a fortified garage door. Shutters can likewise secure outdoor cooking areas or cabana openings where grease and smoke would age elegant hardware prematurely.

If you pick shutters, buy quality. Stainless fasteners, smooth tracks, and motors with manual bypasses for roll-downs make a difference. Appoint duty for deployment and practice when beyond a storm watch. Inventory your hardware. The day you require 32 wing nuts is not the morning you want to find you have 29.

The bottom line: comfort you can feel on a quiet Tuesday

Impact windows are not only about making it through the big one. They improve daily living. The living-room stays cooler and quieter. The AC cycles calmly instead of racing at 4 p.m. You sleep without freight trains of wind sound when a squall line passes at 2 a.m. When a cyclone threatens, your preparation list gets shorter. You lock the sashes, set storm mode on the alarm, and concentrate on people rather than panels.

For a number of my clients, that intangible is the deciding element. They understand storms will come. They also know life in South Florida is too good to live inside a fortress that just wakes up in August. Miami-Dade approved windows provide you both: a clear view of Biscayne Bay on a breezy February early morning and quiet confidence when the spaghetti models point our method September.

If you are weighing the option, begin with a site-specific assessment. Match your exposures to create pressures, choose the right laminated glass stack for wind and heat, choose frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and employ a team that respects the load course. Done right, energy‑efficient impact windows provide what shutters can not: protection that never requests for a ladder and a better home every day of the year.

I am a dynamic innovator with a broad knowledge base in entrepreneurship. My conviction in entrepreneurship spurs my desire to innovate disruptive organizations. In my business career, I have cultivated a profile as being a daring thinker. Aside from creating my own businesses, I also enjoy counseling young startup founders. I believe in empowering the next generation of startup founders to pursue their own aspirations. I am easily seeking out disruptive opportunities and working together with similarly-driven creators. Redefining what's possible is my purpose. Aside from engaged in my enterprise, I enjoy immersing myself in dynamic environments. I am also focused on health and wellness.