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.
View on Google MapsSTS 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 method next-door neighbors track tropical waves, the pre-storm rush to stock up, and the ritual of carrying ladders to mount panels. After twenty years specifying, setting up, and troubleshooting structure envelopes from Key Largo to Palm Beach, I've seen what holds up and what doesn't. When the objective is real security with year-round convenience, Miami-Dade approved, energy‑efficient effect windows outshine shutters in ways that exceed storm day. They alter how a house feels in August, how peaceful your living room stays on a Saturday night, and how confident you are when a storm line spins up faster than predicted.

This is a useful look at why many South Florida house owners are moving from shutters to hurricane impact-resistant windows, how to check out the requirements behind "Miami-Dade approved," what products matter, and how to get the setup right the very first time.
Miami-Dade County's Item Control Department sets among the hardest standards in the nation for building elements exposed to windborne particles. Approval is not a marketing sticker. It is earned through particular laboratory tests that mimic real cyclone conditions.
First comes large rocket impact. A 9-pound 2x4 is contended the glass at approximately 34 miles per hour. That simulates 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 simulate quick 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 approved windows" often lives in these test thresholds. Miami-Dade is just stiffer, especially in High Velocity Cyclone Zone requirements, that include Miami-Dade and Broward.
Wind scores differ by opening size and design pressures, denoted as PSF worths. On ocean-facing properties or high-rises, I typically define units ranked at +60/ -80 PSF or higher. Inland or in more secured direct exposures, ratings in the +45/ -60 PSF variety can suffice, but you size and specification based on the website's wind map, building height, and surrounding structures. An expert knows that a corner exposure at the second story demands different reinforcement than a protected window under a deep porch.
Hurricane shutters vs impact windows is not a one-to-one comparison. Shutters can meet code, and they're better than absolutely nothing. However 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 live in place. You get continuous protection, 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 benefit. Laminated impact glass is basically a sandwich: 2 panes of glass bonded by a durable interlayer, typically PVB interlayer glass or SentryGlas. That interlayer damps sound. On tasks along busy corridors like Biscayne Boulevard or near flight courses, I've determined interior sound drops in the 5 to 10 decibel variety, in some cases more when paired with insulated glass units.
Security enhances since laminated glass withstands forced entry. An intruder can shatter the outer lite with a hammer, however the interlayer holds the shards. They meet a sticky, persistent membrane instead of a quick course inside. Insurance coverage underwriters know this, which is why policies typically use credits for effect windows and doors. In my projects, premiums generally drop 10 to 25 percent, depending upon the carrier and how many openings are protected.
Energy performance is the third pillar. Energy-efficient impact windows with modern-day low-E impact glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while protecting noticeable light. That suggests less a/c need, particularly on west and south exposures where the afternoon sun punishes interiors. In one Coral Gables retrofit, we replaced 1980s single-pane sliders with laminated low-E effect systems. Summertime afternoon peak load dropped by roughly a ton of cooling, and the home's annual electricity usage fell between 12 and 18 percent. Outcomes vary with shading, attic insulation, and a/c efficiency, however the instructions is consistent.
Laminated effect glass is the heart of the system, however not all laminated products are equal.
Most domestic cyclone windows utilize a PVB interlayer glass stack, frequently 0.030 to 0.090 inches thick in single or several plies. Thicker interlayers improve effect resistance and sound control, however they include weight and expense. For oceanfront or high openings, you may see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and stronger than PVB, permitting thinner areas to achieve higher style pressures. For noise-sensitive sites, acoustic PVB formulas tweak the polymer to better soak up sound in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz range, where traffic and voices sit.
Tempered glass windows come up often in conversations because tempered glass is more powerful in flexing than annealed glass. That's true, and tempered lites are commonly utilized as the external or inner ply in an effect unit. But tempered alone is not impact-resistant in the hurricane sense. When it fails, it blows up into small cubes and falls out of the frame, which leaves the opening vulnerable. The impact performance originates from laminated building and construction, not tempering by itself. Lots of 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 finishings matter for convenience. A soft-coat low-E tuned for South Florida usually targets a solar heat gain coefficient in affordable hurricane proof windows the 0.25 to 0.35 variety while keeping noticeable light transmission around 50 percent or greater. Go too short on SHGC and the glass can look gray or green, especially in larger openings. The sweet spot depends upon your façade orientation and shading. On east and west elevations, I often tighten up SHGC and accept a minor tint to handle early 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 control here due to the fact that they handle big openings and will not swell. Thermal breaks and enhanced glazing gaskets have actually narrowed the energy gap with vinyl. Top quality vinyl impact frames, when strengthened appropriately, can carry out well for standard-sized openings and have much better insulating values, but I avoid them for very large sliders or tall storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad systems look gorgeous in older Mediterranean Revival homes, however they demand mindful buy hurricane proof windows maintenance and wise flashing. The Florida sun destroys inexpensive vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum surfaces quickly. Look for powder-coated finishes rated for coastal direct exposure, and request composed service warranty details in salt-air environments.
Window setup can make or break efficiency. A costly unit set up like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's tension test. The load path is the core. 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 cinder block building and construction, you want stainless or hot-dipped galvanized anchors embedded into strong material. Hollow cells must be grouted or you require to strike the bond beam. Tapcons in soft, unfilled block are a failure waiting to happen. In wood-framed homes, structural screws should bite into strong trimmers, not simply sheathing. Shimming and plumb alignment matter so the locks engage easily and the weatherstripping compresses evenly.
The sealant joint is not simply aesthetic. An appropriately sized backer rod and top quality polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant produce a resilient, versatile seal that manages thermal growth. Too little a bead and it tears under movement. Too big and it remedies improperly. On seaside jobs, I never ever pair different metals without a barrier, and I constantly define 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 integration with the water-resistive barrier are essential. If you rely on sealant alone, water will discover its method. That wetness might not show up as a drip. It may rot a sill plate gradually, then betray itself as a buckling floor or a musty odor 2 cyclone seasons later.
I have absolutely nothing versus well-designed shutters. Accordion shutters that are maintained and lubricated, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even detachable panels kept thoroughly can secure homes successfully. They also help in specific cases.
Second homes or seasonal rentals where spending plan is tight in some cases lean on shutters to fulfill the Florida building regulations windows requirement for safeguarded openings. On specialized openings like a lanai that is rarely utilized in summer season, a clean motorized roll-down can be affordable, particularly if coupling with effect windows and doors in other places stresses the budget plan. For house owners who prepare to move within a year, shutters can be a brief bridge to compliance before a sale.
But shutters bring trade-offs. They darken the house when deployed, and they require action at exactly the time you are managing insurance documents, gas cans, and family logistics. During Cyclone Irma, I watched a neighbor try to install steel panels hours before landfall. The ladder sank in saturated soil, a panel slipped, and we invested the next hour in the immediate care waiting room. He made it through with stitches. His living-room window did not. Shutters also rattle and can vibrate under sustained winds, sometimes loosening up fasteners gradually if not maintained.
For long-lasting owners who want to set it and forget it, effect windows offer typhoon evidence windows coverage while protecting daytime and view. The benefit grows valuable once you have actually experienced one storm season with absolutely no preparation beyond locking the sash.
South Florida homes fight two fights: latent load from humidity and reasonable load from direct solar heat gain. Effect glass upgrades can assist both if defined intelligently.
Low-E impact glass utilizes microscopically thin metallic layers to reflect infrared energy while letting visible light through. With the ideal finish stacks, you can block a large part of radiant heat and UV. UV obstruction in laminated systems comes mostly from the interlayer itself, which normally filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, minimizing fading of fabrics and floor covering. Add the low-E, and you curb 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 reducing nighttime heat flow and keeping the interior glass temperature closer to room temperature, which reduces condensation risk. SHGC drives just how much solar heat gets in. VT affects how intense the interior feels. Balance is essential. Some homeowners want the crisp, clear appearance of higher VT, even if it means accepting a couple of degrees more heat in late afternoon, because their landscaping and roofing system overhangs already do some shading. Others choose a stronger tint for glare control on waterfront lots that reflect harsh light.
In useful terms, going from clear single-pane sliders to modern-day low-E laminated double-glazed systems can decrease peak solar gains by 30 to 50 percent on the most exposed sides. Couple that with tuned overhangs, light-colored exterior surfaces, and an appropriately sized variable-speed a/c, and you start to develop resilience. If the grid goes down and you change to a generator, a lower cooling load indicates a smaller sized generator and fewer gallons of fuel.
Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance, or NOA, is the document you request for. It information the approved setups, 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 design and alternatives you are buying, consisting of the glazing makeup and hardware. If you remain in Broward or Miami-Dade, your permitting workplace will desire this paper trail.
Statewide, the Florida Product Approval system supplies FL numbers that reveal code compliance. In the rest of the state outside the High Velocity Cyclone Zone, Florida building code windows can count on Florida Product Approval without Miami-Dade particular NOAs. Numerous top producers carry both. Where budgets enable, I choose NOA items even outside the zone due to the fact that the testing is stiffer.
NFRC labels deal with energy metrics. They will not tell you effect performance, however they reveal U-factor, SHGC, VT, and air leakage. Go for air leak at or below 0.3 cfm/ft TWO. Tighter is much better for humidity control, however ensure your home still has actually balanced ventilation. Sealing the envelope and disregarding fresh air is a recipe for indoor air quality complaints.
Impact windows cost more in advance than shutters. There's no spin around that. Set up costs differ with size, shape, finish, and gain access to. On straightforward single-family homes, per-opening expenses frequently land in between 1,200 and 3,000 dollars for basic sizes. Large multi-panel sliders, custom arches, and coastal-grade surfaces raise the numbers quickly.
Where you recover worth:
If you prepare to own the home for 5 years or more, the mathematics frequently tilts in favor of effect windows, particularly when you factor the intangible of comfort. If you plan to sell within a year and need to reveal compliance quickly, shutters may make more short-term sense. Context matters.
I take notice of hardware and devices. Multi-point locks on sashes and awnings improve seal compression and security. For sliders, robust tandem rollers in stainless housings move smoother and last longer on sandy patio areas. Take a look at the sill style on moving doors. Weep systems need to 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 run afoul of neighborhood watch or produce mirror-like glare towards neighboring homes. In coastal ecosystems, extremely reflective glass can puzzle birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Regional pros know which coverings balance efficiency with compliance.
Color stability is a big offer. Dark bronze or black frames look great on modern-day homes, however in Florida sun inexpensive finishes chalk and fade. AAMA 2605-rated coatings offer the very best color retention and chalk resistance. I specify them for seaside exposures whenever spending plans allow.
Historic districts typically require profiles that imitate old wood sash sightlines. There are impact-rated windows that fit these requirements, but lead times lengthen and costs climb. Anticipate extra review by architectural boards, and line up a professional familiar with these submissions.
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Condos have another layer of governance. Associations often define a narrow list of approved items for harmony. They also care about sound control between units. If your building sits straight on Collins Avenue or faces a hectic beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated alternatives. Work with structure management on staging and lift gain access to. Weekend work windows and restricted parking can include days and dollars.
Large openings, like a 16-foot-wide slider, need unique attention in style pressure, deflection, and operating hardware. Not every unit that looks strong in a display room satisfies the wind loads on a ninth-floor terrace. Do not depend on brochure maximum sizes. Use the NOA tables that correspond to your website's zone, favorable and negative pressures, and mullion mixes if any.
The finest projects start with a measured survey and exposure analysis. You map each opening, note the substrate, and identify any framing irregularities or settlement cracks. Throughout proposition, the contractor shows you the NOA and the Florida Item Approval, lists 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 eliminate one opening at a time to keep the house safe. They secure floors, draw back window treatments, and cap sprinklers. Old frames come out with 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 photograph anchors for the permit file, specifically if they will be concealed. After glazing, they water-test with a controlled spray to validate drain courses and seals. The inspector sees a cool jobsite, clear labels, and documentation in order.
Six months later, your windows still close with two fingers, locks bite efficiently, and there is no mystery rattle throughout thunderstorms. You did not have to call for a roller change after the very first week. That is the standard.
Impact rating does not equivalent breakproof. Laminated glass can break under severe effects, however it must stay in the frame and hold together. After a storm that sends particles into the glass, you might see star cracks or spidering. The window did its task. Replace the sash or IGU after the event.
Window movies do not convert non-impact windows into typhoon impact-resistant windows. They can include shatter resistance, however they do not replacement for an evaluated, anchored system. Your insurer and building department will not count movies as protected openings.
Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient impact windows minimize air leak. That's great, but it increases the significance of a properly sized a/c with great dehumidification. If your system is oversized, the thermostat pleases quickly and fails to pull enough moisture from the air. Ask your heating and cooling pro to inspect sensible heat ratio, airflow, and run time. You want consistent, longer cycles, not short bursts.
Maintenance is simple but not optional. Tidy weep holes on sliders, wash salt spray from frames, and lube hardware every year with a silicone-based product that will not gum up in heat. Little habits extend lifespan.
There are legitimate factors to mix services. A set of hardly ever used garage windows can keep removable panels to shave spending plan. A deep-set porch with minimal sun exposure might do great with accordion shutters if you focus on other upgrades like a brand-new roofing deck attachment or a fortified garage door. Shutters can likewise safeguard outside kitchens or cabana openings where grease and smoke would age elegant hardware prematurely.
If you choose shutters, buy quality. Stainless fasteners, smooth tracks, and motors with handbook bypasses for roll-downs make a difference. Appoint responsibility for implementation and practice when outside of a storm watch. Inventory your hardware. The day you need 32 wing nuts is not the early morning you want to discover you have 29.
Impact windows are not just about surviving the huge one. They improve daily living. The living room stays cooler and quieter. The a/c 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 typhoon threatens, your preparation list gets much shorter. You lock the sashes, set storm mode on the alarm, and concentrate on individuals instead of panels.
For a number of my clients, that intangible is the choosing aspect. They understand storms will come. They likewise know life in South Florida is too good to live inside a fortress that just awakens in August. Miami-Dade approved windows give you both: a clear view of Biscayne Bay on a breezy February early morning and peaceful confidence when the spaghetti designs point our way in September.
If you are weighing the option, start with a site-specific assessment. Match your direct exposures to design pressures, pick the best laminated glass stack for wind and heat, choose frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and hire a team that respects the load path. Done right, energy‑efficient effect windows provide what shutters can not: protection that never requests a ladder and a much better home every day of the year.