October 18, 2025

Hurricane-Proof Assurance: Picking Miami-Dade Approved, Energy‑Efficient Effect 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 ritual of transporting ladders to mount panels. After twenty years defining, installing, and fixing structure envelopes from Secret Largo to Palm Beach, I've seen what holds up and what doesn't. When the goal is real protection with year-round comfort, Miami-Dade authorized, energy‑efficient effect windows outperform shutters tempered glass in manner ins which go beyond storm day. They alter how a house feels in August, how peaceful your living-room remains on a Saturday night, and how positive you are when a storm line spins up faster than predicted.

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

What "Miami-Dade Approved" actually means

Miami-Dade County's Item Control Division sets one of the most difficult benchmarks in the nation for constructing parts exposed to windborne particles. Approval is not a marketing sticker. It is earned through particular lab tests that imitate genuine typhoon conditions.

First comes large rocket effect. A 9-pound 2x4 is contended the glass at roughly 34 miles per hour. That simulates roof tiles, branches, or pieces of fencing that fly in the eyewall. After the impact, the tempered glass shower windows same unit faces cyclic pressure loading, countless pressurization and depressurization cycles that imitate rapid wind gusts over hours. If the glass remains in the frame without letting the envelope breach, it passes. The difference in between "fulfills Florida building code windows" and "Miami-Dade authorized windows" frequently lives in these test limits. Miami-Dade is simply stiffer, especially in High Speed Typhoon Zone requirements, which include Miami-Dade and Broward.

Wind ratings differ by opening size and style pressures, denoted as PSF worths. On ocean-facing residential or commercial properties or high-rises, I typically specify systems ranked at +60/ -80 PSF or greater. Inland or in more secured direct exposures, scores in the +45/ -60 PSF range can be adequate, but you size and specification based on the site's wind map, building height, and surrounding structures. An expert understands that a corner exposure at the 2nd story demands various reinforcement than a protected window under a deep porch.

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

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

Impact windows reside in place. You get constant security, 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 impact glass is basically a sandwich: two panes of glass bonded by a resilient interlayer, typically PVB interlayer glass or SentryGlas. That interlayer damps noise. On tasks along hectic corridors like Biscayne Boulevard or near flight paths, I've determined interior sound drops in the 5 to 10 decibel variety, in some cases more when paired with insulated glass units.

Security improves because laminated glass withstands forced entry. A burglar can shatter the outer lite with a hammer, however the interlayer holds the fragments. They fulfill a sticky, persistent membrane rather of a quick course inside. Insurance coverage underwriters understand this, which is why policies frequently provide credits for effect doors and windows. In my tasks, premiums typically drop 10 to 25 percent, depending on the provider and how many openings are protected.

Energy performance is the third pillar. Energy-efficient effect windows with modern-day low-E effect glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while maintaining visible light. That implies less cooling demand, particularly on west and south direct exposures where the afternoon sun penalizes interiors. In one Coral Gables retrofit, we changed 1980s single-pane sliders with laminated low-E impact units. Summer season afternoon peak load dropped by roughly a lots of cooling, and the home's yearly electrical power use fell between 12 and 18 percent. Results vary with shading, attic insulation, and heating and cooling efficiency, however the direction 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 property hurricane windows utilize a PVB interlayer glass stack, frequently 0.030 to 0.090 inches thick in single or several plies. Thicker interlayers improve impact resistance and sound control, but they include weight and cost. For oceanfront or high openings, you may see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and stronger than PVB, allowing thinner sections to accomplish greater style pressures. For noise-sensitive websites, acoustic PVB formulations fine-tune the polymer to better take in noise in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz range, where traffic and voices sit.

Tempered glass windows come up frequently in discussions since tempered glass is stronger in bending than annealed glass. That's true, and tempered lites are typically used as the outer or inner ply in an effect unit. However tempered alone is not impact-resistant in the cyclone sense. When it stops working, it explodes into small cubes and falls out of the frame, which leaves the opening susceptible. The impact performance comes from laminated building and construction, not tempering by itself. Numerous systems use a tempered external lite laminated to a hardened inner lite, or both tempered, however constantly bonded through a PVB or ionoplast interlayer.

Low-E coverings 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 half or greater. Go too short on SHGC and the glass can look gray or green, specifically in larger openings. The sweet area depends upon your exterior orientation and shading. On east and west elevations, I typically tighten up SHGC and accept a slight tint to manage morning and afternoon blasts. On north elevations, I lean toward greater noticeable transmittance for daylighting.

Frames are the other half of the story. Aluminum frames dominate here because they handle large openings and won't swell. Thermal breaks and improved glazing gaskets have actually narrowed the energy space with vinyl. Premium vinyl impact frames, when enhanced appropriately, can perform well for standard-sized openings and have much better insulating worths, but I prevent them for very large sliders or high storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad systems look gorgeous in older Mediterranean Revival homes, but they require careful maintenance and smart flashing. The Florida sun ruins low-cost vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum surfaces rapidly. Search for powder-coated finishes rated for coastal direct exposure, and demand composed guarantee details in salt-air environments.

The covert hero: installation that respects the load path

Window installation can make or break performance. An expensive unit installed like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's stress test. The load path is the crux. Effect forces need to take a trip from the glass through the frame, to the anchors, into the substrate, and after that into the structure's framing or masonry.

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

The sealant joint is not simply visual. An appropriately sized backer rod and premium polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant create a long lasting, flexible seal that handles thermal growth. Too little a bead and it tears under motion. Too huge and it treatments poorly. On seaside tasks, I never ever combine different metals without a barrier, and I always specify corrosion-resistant fasteners. 10 years later on, 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 depend on sealant alone, water will find its way in. That wetness might not show up as a drip. It might rot a sill plate gradually, then betray itself as a buckling flooring or a moldy smell two cyclone seasons later.

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

I have absolutely nothing against well-designed shutters. Accordion shutters that are preserved and lubed, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even removable panels stored thoroughly can protect homes effectively. They likewise assist in certain cases.

Second homes or seasonal rentals where budget is tight in some cases lean on shutters to satisfy the Florida building code windows requirement for safeguarded openings. On specialized openings like a lanai that is rarely used in summer, a tidy motorized roll-down can be sensible, particularly if coupling with effect windows and doors elsewhere stresses the spending plan. For house owners who prepare to move within code compliant window replacement a year, shutters can be a short bridge to compliance before a sale.

But shutters bring compromises. They darken your home when deployed, and they require action at exactly the time you are handling insurance coverage documents, gas cans, and household logistics. Throughout Typhoon Irma, I viewed a neighbor try to install steel panels hours before landfall. The ladder sank in saturated soil, a panel slipped, and we spent the next hour in the immediate care waiting room. He endured with stitches. His living room window did not. Shutters also rattle and can vibrate under continual winds, sometimes loosening fasteners gradually if not maintained.

For long-term owners who want to set it and forget it, impact windows give typhoon proof windows protection while protecting daytime and view. The benefit grows important once you have actually experienced one storm season with absolutely no prep beyond locking the sash.

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

South Florida homes combat two fights: latent load from humidity and practical load from direct solar heat gain. Effect glass upgrades can help both if specified intelligently.

Low-E impact glass uses microscopically thin metallic layers to show infrared energy while letting noticeable light through. With the ideal covering stacks, you can obstruct a large portion of radiant heat and UV. UV obstruction in laminated systems comes largely from the interlayer itself, which usually filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, lowering fading of fabrics and floor covering. Add the low-E, and you suppress the solar heat that drives your AC 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 decreasing nighttime heat flow and keeping the interior glass temperature closer to room temperature, which minimizes condensation danger. SHGC drives just how much solar heat enters. VT influences how brilliant the interior feels. Balance is key. Some house owners desire the crisp, clear appearance of greater VT, even if it means accepting a couple of degrees more heat in late afternoon, due to the fact that their landscaping and roofing overhangs currently do some shading. Others prefer a stronger tint for glare control on waterfront lots that show extreme light.

In practical terms, going from clear single-pane sliders to contemporary low-E laminated double-glazed systems can lower peak solar gains by 30 to half on the most exposed sides. Couple that with tuned overhangs, light-colored outside surfaces, and a properly sized variable-speed a/c, and you start to construct durability. If the grid decreases and you change to a generator, a lower cooling load suggests a smaller sized 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 ask for. It information the authorized configurations, sizes, anchors, and pressures tested. It is not enough to hear "these are Miami-Dade authorized windows" in a showroom. Verify the NOA matches the precise model and options you are buying, consisting of 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 supplies FL numbers that show code compliance. In the rest of the state outside the High Speed Typhoon Zone, Florida building regulations windows can rely on Florida Product Approval without Miami-Dade particular NOAs. Lots of leading producers bring both. Where budgets enable, I prefer NOA items even outside the zone because the testing is stiffer.

NFRC labels manage energy metrics. They won't inform you effect performance, but they show U-factor, SHGC, VT, and air leakage. Go for air leakage at or listed below 0.3 cfm/ft TWO. Tighter is better for humidity control, however make sure your home still has actually balanced ventilation. Sealing the envelope and neglecting fresh air is a recipe for indoor air quality complaints.

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

Impact windows cost more upfront than shutters. There's no spin around that. Set up expenses vary with size, shape, surface, and gain access to. On uncomplicated single-family homes, per-opening expenses typically 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 recover value:

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

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

Details that separate great systems from fantastic ones

I pay attention to hardware and accessories. Multi-point locks on casements and awnings improve seal compression and security. For sliders, robust tandem rollers in stainless real estates move smoother and last longer on sandy patio areas. Take a look at the sill style on moving doors. Weep systems must 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 contravene of neighborhood watch or produce mirror-like glare towards surrounding properties. In seaside environments, extremely reflective glass can puzzle birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Regional pros know which coatings balance performance with compliance.

Color stability is a huge deal. Dark bronze or black frames look great on contemporary homes, but in Florida sun cheap surfaces chalk and fade. AAMA 2605-rated coverings offer the best color retention and chalk resistance. I specify them for seaside exposures whenever budgets allow.

Special cases: historic homes, condominiums, and tricky openings

Historic districts typically need profiles that mimic old wood sash sightlines. There are impact-rated windows that fit these requirements, but lead times lengthen and costs climb. Expect additional evaluation by architectural boards, and line up a professional familiar with these submissions.

Condos have another layer of governance. Associations in some cases specify a narrow list of authorized items for harmony. They likewise appreciate noise control between systems. If your structure sits straight on Collins Avenue or deals with a busy beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated alternatives. Work with structure management on staging and lift gain access to. Weekend work windows and minimal parking can include days and dollars.

Large openings, like a 16-foot-wide slider, require unique attention in style pressure, deflection, and operating hardware. Not every system that looks durable in a showroom fulfills the wind loads on a ninth-floor veranda. Do not depend on brochure optimum sizes. Utilize the NOA tables that correspond to your website's zone, favorable and negative pressures, and mullion combinations if any.

What a tidy task appears like from survey to final inspection

The best tasks start with a measured survey and direct exposure analysis. You map each opening, keep in mind the substrate, and recognize any framing irregularities or settlement fractures. During proposal, the professional reveals you the NOA and the Florida Item Approval, notes anchor types, and describes 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 your home safe and secure. They protect floorings, pull back window treatments, and cap sprinklers. Old frames come out with care to preserve interior finishes. New systems get dry-fit, shimmed, and anchored per the schedule. The crew checks squareness and diagonals before setting sealant. They photograph anchors for the permit file, especially if they will be hidden. After glazing, they water-test with a controlled spray to validate drainage courses and seals. The inspector sees a neat jobsite, clear labels, and documents in order.

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

Frequently misinterpreted points that cost house owners later

Impact rating does not equal breakproof. Laminated glass can crack under extreme effects, but it should remain in the frame and hold together. After a storm that sends particles into the glass, you may see star cracks or spidering. The window did its task. Change the sash or IGU after the event.

Window films do not convert non-impact windows into cyclone impact-resistant windows. They can include shatter resistance, however they do not alternative to a tested, anchored system. Your insurance provider and structure department will not count movies as secured openings.

Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient impact windows reduce air leakage. That's excellent, however it increases the value of an appropriately sized a/c with excellent dehumidification. If your system is oversized, the thermostat satisfies quickly and fails to pull enough moisture from the air. Ask your a/c pro to check sensible heat ratio, airflow, and run time. You want consistent, longer cycles, not brief bursts.

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

When shutters still belong in the conversation

There are genuine factors to mix services. A pair of seldom utilized garage windows can keep detachable panels to shave budget plan. A deep-set porch with minimal sun exposure might do great with accordion shutters if you prioritize other upgrades like a new roofing system deck accessory or a fortified garage door. Shutters can also safeguard outside kitchens or cabana openings where grease and smoke would age expensive hardware prematurely.

If you choose shutters, buy quality. Stainless fasteners, smooth tracks, and motors with manual bypasses for roll-downs hurricane window replacement make a difference. Appoint responsibility for release and practice when beyond a storm watch. Inventory your hardware. The day you require 32 wing nuts is not the early morning you wish to discover you have 29.

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

Impact windows are not only about surviving the huge 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 noise 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 individuals rather than panels.

For much of my customers, that intangible is the deciding element. They know storms will come. They also know life in South Florida is too excellent to live inside a fortress that only wakes up in August. Miami-Dade approved windows provide you both: a clear view of Biscayne Bay on a breezy February morning and peaceful confidence when the spaghetti models point our way in September.

If you are weighing the option, start with a site-specific assessment. Match your exposures to create pressures, choose the ideal laminated glass stack for wind and heat, choose frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and work with a crew that appreciates the load course. Done right, energy‑efficient impact windows provide what shutters can not: security that never asks for a ladder and a much 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.