November 4, 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 neighbors track tropical waves, the pre-storm rush to stock up, and the ritual of carrying ladders to mount panels. After two decades defining, installing, and troubleshooting building envelopes from Key Largo to Palm Beach, I've seen what holds up and what does not. When the goal is real security with year-round comfort, Miami-Dade authorized, energy‑efficient effect windows outperform shutters in ways that surpass storm day. They alter 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 quicker than predicted.

This is a useful look at why lots of South Florida homeowners are moving from shutters to typhoon impact-resistant windows, how to read the standards behind "Miami-Dade approved," what products matter, and how to get the installation right the very first time.

What "Miami-Dade Approved" in fact means

Miami-Dade County's Product Control Department sets among the most difficult benchmarks in the country for constructing elements exposed to windborne debris. Approval is not a marketing sticker label. It is earned through specific lab tests that replicate real hurricane conditions.

First comes large rocket effect. A 9-pound 2x4 is shot at the glass at approximately 34 miles per hour. That simulates roof tiles, branches, or pieces of fencing that fly in the eyewall. After the impact, the same unit deals with cyclic pressure loading, countless pressurization and depressurization cycles that mimic quick wind gusts over hours. If the glass remains in the frame without letting the envelope breach, it passes. The distinction between "satisfies Florida building code windows" and "Miami-Dade authorized windows" frequently resides in these test thresholds. Miami-Dade is simply stiffer, particularly in High Speed Hurricane Zone requirements, which include Miami-Dade and Broward.

Wind scores vary by opening size and style pressures, represented as PSF values. On ocean-facing homes or high-rises, I typically specify systems rated at +60/ -80 PSF or higher. Inland or in more protected direct exposures, ratings in the +45/ -60 PSF variety can be enough, but you size and spec based on the site's wind map, constructing height, and surrounding structures. A professional understands that a corner direct exposure at the 2nd story needs different support than a sheltered window under a deep porch.

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

Hurricane shutters vs impact windows is not a one-to-one comparison. Shutters can meet code, and they're much better than nothing. However they ask you to do operate at the worst possible time. When a watch turns to a warning and the forecast track tightens, the last thing you want is a ladder, a dead cordless drill, and a missing wing nut.

Impact windows live in place. You get continuous defense, even if a pop-up storm surprises you while you're stuck on US 1. You likewise 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 durable interlayer, normally PVB interlayer glass or SentryGlas. That interlayer damps sound. On tasks along hectic corridors like Biscayne Boulevard or near flight paths, I have actually measured interior sound drops in the 5 to 10 decibel range, often more when coupled with insulated glass units.

Security enhances since laminated glass withstands required entry. An intruder can shatter the external lite with a hammer, however the interlayer holds the shards. They fulfill a sticky, persistent membrane rather of a quick path inside. Insurance coverage underwriters know this, which is why policies frequently use credits for effect windows and doors. In my jobs, premiums typically drop 10 to 25 percent, depending upon the provider and the number of openings are protected.

Energy efficiency is the 3rd pillar. Energy-efficient impact windows with modern low-E impact glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while preserving noticeable light. That suggests less cooling demand, especially on west and south direct exposures where Boca Raton custom window installation the afternoon sun penalizes interiors. In one Coral Gables retrofit, we changed 1980s single-pane sliders with laminated low-E impact systems. Summertime afternoon peak load visited roughly a ton of cooling, and the home's yearly electrical energy use fell in between 12 and 18 percent. Outcomes differ with shading, attic insulation, and HVAC performance, however the instructions is consistent.

Material choices that matter: glass, interlayers, and frames

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

Most property cyclone windows utilize a PVB interlayer glass stack, commonly 0.030 to 0.090 inches thick in single or numerous plies. Thicker interlayers enhance impact resistance and sound control, however they add weight and cost. For oceanfront or high openings, you may see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and more powerful than PVB, enabling thinner sections to accomplish greater design pressures. For noise-sensitive websites, acoustic PVB formulas modify the polymer to better soak up sound in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz range, where traffic and voices sit.

Tempered glass windows turn up often in conversations since 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 impact windows for homes an effect unit. But tempered alone is not impact-resistant in the typhoon sense. When it stops working, it explodes into little cubes and falls out of the frame, which leaves the opening susceptible. The impact efficiency comes from laminated construction, not tempering by itself. Many systems utilize a tempered outer lite laminated to a hardened inner lite, or both tempered, however constantly bonded through a PVB or ionoplast interlayer.

Low-E finishings matter for convenience. 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 short on SHGC and the glass can look gray or green, specifically in bigger openings. The sweet spot depends on your façade orientation and shading. On east and west elevations, I often tighten up SHGC and accept a minor tint to manage early morning and afternoon blasts. On north elevations, I favor higher noticeable transmittance for daylighting.

Frames are the other half of the story. Aluminum frames control here due to the fact that they deal with large openings and will not swell. Thermal breaks and enhanced glazing gaskets have narrowed the energy gap with vinyl. High-quality vinyl effect frames, when reinforced properly, can carry out well for standard-sized openings and have much better insulating values, but I prevent them for very wide sliders or tall storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad units look beautiful in older Mediterranean Revival homes, however they demand careful maintenance and smart flashing. The Florida sun damages low-cost vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum surfaces quickly. Try to find powder-coated surfaces ranked for seaside exposure, and request written warranty information in salt-air environments.

The surprise hero: installation that appreciates the load path

Window installation can make or break performance. A costly unit installed like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's stress test. The load path is the core. Effect forces have to take a trip 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, you desire stainless or hot-dipped galvanized anchors embedded into strong material. Hollow cells should be grouted or you need to hit the bond beam. Tapcons in soft, unfilled block are a failure waiting to occur. In wood-framed homes, structural screws need to bite into strong trimmers, not just sheathing. Shimming and plumb alignment matter so the locks engage cleanly and the weatherstripping compresses evenly.

The sealant joint is not just visual. An appropriately sized backer rod and high-quality polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant create a resilient, flexible seal that handles thermal growth. Too small a bead and it tears under motion. Too huge and it treatments improperly. On coastal tasks, I never ever combine different metals without a barrier, and I always specify 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 essential. If you rely on sealant alone, water will find its method. That moisture may not show up as a drip. It might rot a sill plate slowly, then betray itself as a buckling flooring or a moldy odor 2 hurricane seasons later.

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

I have nothing against well-designed shutters. Accordion shutters that are preserved and lubricated, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even detachable panels saved thoroughly can safeguard homes effectively. They likewise assist in certain cases.

Second homes or seasonal rentals where spending plan is tight often lean on shutters to meet the Florida building code windows requirement for secured openings. On specialized openings like a lanai that is rarely utilized in summer season, a clean motorized roll-down can be sensible, especially if coupling with effect doors and windows somewhere else stresses the budget. For house owners who prepare to move within a year, shutters can be a brief bridge to compliance before a sale.

But shutters bring compromises. They darken your best window installation Boca Raton home when released, and they need action at exactly the time you are handling insurance coverage documents, gas cans, and household logistics. During Typhoon Irma, I saw a neighbor try to mount steel panels hours before landfall. The ladder sank in saturated soil, a panel slipped, and we invested 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, often loosening fasteners with time if not maintained.

For long-term owners who want to set it and forget it, effect windows provide cyclone proof windows protection while preserving daylight and view. The benefit grows important once you have actually experienced one storm season with no preparation beyond locking the sash.

The energy story: how glass specifications translate to comfort and bills

South Florida homes combat 2 battles: hidden load from humidity and practical load from direct solar heat gain. Impact glass upgrades can assist both if specified intelligently.

Low-E impact glass utilizes microscopically thin metal layers to reflect infrared energy while letting noticeable light through. With the best covering stacks, you can obstruct a large portion of convected heat and UV. UV obstruction in laminated units comes largely from the interlayer itself, which normally filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, lowering fading of materials and floor covering. Include the low-E, and you suppress the solar heat that drives your air conditioner crazy midafternoon.

I assess glass specs with 3 numbers: U-factor, SHGC, and VT. While U-factor matters more up north, it still assists here by lowering nighttime heat flow and keeping the interior glass temperature level closer to room temperature level, which lowers condensation risk. SHGC drives just how much solar heat goes into. VT affects how intense the interior feels. Balance is crucial. Some house owners desire the crisp, clear look of greater VT, even if it suggests accepting a few degrees more heat in late afternoon, since their landscaping and roof overhangs already do some shading. Others prefer a more powerful tint for glare control on waterside lots that show severe light.

In practical terms, going from clear single-pane sliders to contemporary low-E laminated double-glazed units can minimize peak solar gains by 30 to half on the most exposed sides. Couple that with tuned overhangs, light-colored outside surfaces, and an appropriately sized variable-speed heating and cooling, and you begin to build strength. If the grid goes down and you change to a generator, a lower cooling load indicates a smaller generator and less gallons of fuel.

Reading labels and approvals without getting lost in alphabet soup

Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance, or NOA, is the document you request for. It information the approved configurations, sizes, anchors, and pressures evaluated. It is inadequate to hear "these are Miami-Dade authorized windows" in a showroom. Confirm the NOA matches the exact model and alternatives you are purchasing, including the glazing makeup and hardware. If you are in Broward or Miami-Dade, your allowing workplace will want this paper trail.

Statewide, the Florida Product Approval system offers FL numbers that reveal code compliance. In the rest of the state outside the High Velocity Hurricane Zone, Florida building regulations windows can count on Florida Item Approval without Miami-Dade particular NOAs. Lots of top makers carry both. Where budget plans allow, I prefer NOA products even outside the zone since the screening is stiffer.

NFRC labels handle energy metrics. They will not inform you effect performance, however they reveal U-factor, SHGC, VT, and air leak. Go for air leakage at or below 0.3 cfm/ft ². Tighter is much better for humidity control, but make sure your home still has stabilized ventilation. Sealing the envelope and neglecting fresh air is a recipe for indoor air quality complaints.

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

Impact windows cost more upfront than shutters. There's no spin around that. Installed expenses vary with size, shape, finish, and access. On straightforward single-family homes, per-opening expenses frequently land between 1,200 and 3,000 dollars for basic sizes. Large multi-panel sliders, customized arches, and coastal-grade surfaces raise the numbers quickly.

Where you recoup worth:

  • Insurance credits accumulate, often 10 to 25 percent off premiums when all openings are protected.
  • Energy savings, usually 8 to 20 percent on yearly cooling expenses in older homes after a full window upgrade coupled with sealing and attic improvements.
  • Resale appeal, particularly in markets where buyers expect impact windows and doors as a baseline. A home with accordion shutters competes, but a home with storm effect windows shows much better, feels quieter, and generally evaluates stronger.

If you plan to own the property for five years or more, the mathematics typically tilts in favor of impact windows, especially when you factor the intangible of peace of mind. If you prepare to sell within a year and need to show compliance rapidly, shutters may make more short-term sense. Context matters.

Details that separate good systems from excellent ones

I take note of hardware and accessories. Multi-point locks on sashes and awnings improve seal compression and security. For sliders, robust tandem rollers in stainless real estates slide smoother and last longer on sandy outdoor patios. Take a look at the sill style on sliding doors. Weep systems must be engineered to drain pipes heavy rainfall 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 contravene of neighborhood watch or produce mirror-like glare towards neighboring homes. In seaside communities, extremely reflective glass can puzzle birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Local pros understand which coatings balance efficiency with compliance.

Color stability is a big offer. Dark bronze or black frames look wonderful on modern-day homes, but in Florida sun inexpensive surfaces chalk and fade. AAMA 2605-rated finishes offer the best color retention and chalk resistance. I specify them for seaside exposures whenever spending plans allow.

Special cases: historical homes, condos, and challenging openings

Historic districts typically require profiles that mimic old wood sash sightlines. There are impact-rated windows that fit these requirements, however lead times extend and costs climb. Anticipate extra review by architectural boards, and line up a specialist familiar with these submissions.

Condos have another layer of governance. Associations in some cases define a narrow list of authorized products for uniformity. They likewise care about noise control between systems. If your building sits directly on Collins Opportunity or deals with a hectic beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated options. Deal with building management on staging and lift access. Weekend work windows and limited parking can include days and dollars.

Large openings, like a 16-foot-wide slider, need special attention in design pressure, deflection, and operating hardware. Not every system that looks durable in a showroom satisfies the wind loads on a ninth-floor veranda. Do not count on brochure maximum sizes. Utilize the NOA tables that represent your website's zone, favorable and unfavorable pressures, and mullion mixes if any.

What a tidy project appears like from survey to final inspection

The best jobs start with a determined study and exposure analysis. You map each opening, note the substrate, and recognize any framing abnormalities or settlement cracks. Throughout proposition, the contractor reveals you the NOA and the Florida Product Approval, notes 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 install day, they get rid of one opening at a time to keep the house secure. They protect floors, pull back window treatments, and cap sprinklers. Old frames bring out care to maintain interior finishes. New systems get dry-fit, shimmed, and anchored per the schedule. The team checks squareness and diagonals before setting sealant. They picture anchors for the permit file, specifically if they will be hidden. After glazing, they water-test with a controlled spray to confirm drainage courses and seals. The inspector sees a neat jobsite, clear labels, and documentation in order.

Six months later, your windows still close with two fingers, locks bite efficiently, and there is no secret rattle during thunderstorms. You did not need to require a roller change after the first week. That is the standard.

Frequently misconstrued points that cost homeowners later

Impact score does not equal breakproof. Laminated glass can split under severe impacts, however it should remain in the frame and hold together. After a storm that sends particles into the glass, you may see star fractures or spidering. The window did its job. Replace the sash or IGU after the event.

Window films do not transform non-impact windows into hurricane impact-resistant windows. They can residential hurricane proof windows add shatter resistance, but they do not replacement for a tested, anchored system. Your insurer and structure department will not count movies as protected openings.

Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient effect windows decrease air leakage. That's terrific, however it increases the importance of a properly sized a/c with good dehumidification. If your system is extra-large, the thermostat satisfies rapidly and stops working to pull enough moisture from the air. Ask your a/c pro to examine reasonable heat ratio, air flow, and run time. You want steady, longer cycles, not brief bursts.

Maintenance is straightforward but not optional. Clean weep holes on sliders, wash salt spray from frames, and lube hardware yearly with a silicone-based product that will not gum up in heat. Little routines extend lifespan.

When shutters still belong in the conversation

There are legitimate factors to mix services. A set of rarely utilized garage windows can keep detachable panels to shave spending plan. Boca Raton window upgrades A deep-set deck with minimal sun direct exposure might do great with accordion shutters if you prioritize other upgrades like a new roof deck attachment or a prepared garage door. Shutters can likewise secure outside kitchens or cabana openings where grease and smoke would age fancy hardware prematurely.

If you pick shutters, invest in quality. Stainless fasteners, smooth tracks, and motors with manual overrides for roll-downs make a difference. Assign responsibility for release and practice as soon as outside of a storm watch. Inventory your hardware. The day you need 32 wing nuts is not the morning you want to discover you have 29.

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

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

For many of my customers, that intangible is the choosing aspect. They know storms will come. They also know life in South Florida is too great to live inside a fortress that only awakens in August. Miami-Dade approved windows offer you both: a clear view of Biscayne Bay on a breezy February morning and quiet self-confidence when the spaghetti models point our method September.

If you are weighing the option, begin with a site-specific evaluation. Match your direct exposures to design pressures, choose the ideal laminated glass stack for wind and heat, select frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and work with a crew that respects the load course. Done right, energy‑efficient effect windows deliver what shutters can not: security 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.