November 3, 2025

Hurricane-Proof Assurance: Selecting 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 hauling ladders to mount panels. After twenty years defining, setting up, and troubleshooting structure envelopes from Key Largo to Palm Beach, I've seen what holds up and what does not. When the objective is genuine defense with year-round convenience, Miami-Dade authorized, energy‑efficient impact windows outshine shutters in manner ins which exceed storm day. They alter how a home feels in August, how quiet 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 take a look at why numerous South Florida house owners are moving from shutters to cyclone impact-resistant windows, how to check out the requirements behind "Miami-Dade authorized," what materials matter, and how to get the installation right the very first time.

What "Miami-Dade Approved" actually means

Miami-Dade County's Item Control Department sets one of the toughest criteria in the country for developing elements exposed to windborne particles. Approval is not a marketing sticker label. It is made through particular laboratory tests that replicate real typhoon conditions.

First comes large missile effect. A 9-pound 2x4 is shot at the glass at roughly 34 miles per hour. That imitates roofing system tiles, branches, or pieces of fencing that fly in the eyewall. After the impact, affordable impact windows the same unit deals with cyclic pressure loading, countless pressurization and depressurization cycles that simulate quick wind gusts over hours. If the glass stays in the frame without letting the envelope breach, it passes. The distinction between "meets Florida building regulations windows" and "Miami-Dade approved windows" often resides in these test limits. Miami-Dade is simply stiffer, especially in High Speed Typhoon Zone requirements, which include Miami-Dade and Broward.

Wind rankings differ by opening size and design pressures, signified as PSF values. On ocean-facing residential or commercial properties or high-rises, I typically specify units rated at +60/ -80 PSF or greater. Inland or in more protected exposures, scores in the +45/ -60 PSF variety can be sufficient, but you size and specification based on the site's wind map, developing height, and surrounding structures. An expert knows that a corner direct exposure at the 2nd story demands various reinforcement than a sheltered window under a deep porch.

Why effect windows alter the day-to-day experience, not just storm season

Hurricane shutters vs impact windows is not a one-to-one contrast. Shutters can meet code, and they're much 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 forecast track tightens, the last thing you desire is a ladder, a dead cordless drill, and a missing wing nut.

Impact windows live in location. You get constant security, even if a pop-up storm surprises you while you're stuck on United States 1. You also get benefits every day of the year.

Noise control is the most underappreciated advantage. Laminated impact glass is essentially 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 paths, I have actually determined interior noise drops in the 5 to 10 decibel variety, often more when paired with insulated glass units.

Security improves because laminated glass withstands forced entry. An intruder can shatter the external lite with a hammer, but the interlayer holds the fragments. They fulfill a sticky, persistent membrane instead of a fast path inside. Insurance coverage underwriters understand this, which is why policies typically offer credits for impact windows and doors. In my projects, premiums generally drop 10 to 25 percent, depending on the provider and the number of openings are protected.

Energy efficiency is the 3rd pillar. Energy-efficient effect windows with modern low-E impact glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while maintaining noticeable light. That means less air conditioning need, especially on west and south exposures where the afternoon sun penalizes interiors. In one Coral Gables retrofit, we replaced 1980s single-pane sliders with laminated low-E effect units. Summer afternoon peak load stopped by approximately a ton of cooling, and the home's yearly electrical energy use fell between 12 and 18 percent. Results differ with shading, attic insulation, and a/c efficiency, but the instructions is consistent.

Material choices that matter: glass, interlayers, and frames

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

Most residential typhoon windows utilize a PVB interlayer glass stack, commonly 0.030 to 0.090 inches thick in single or multiple plies. Thicker interlayers improve hurricane proof windows Boca Raton effect resistance and sound control, however they add weight and expense. For oceanfront or high openings, you might see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and more powerful than PVB, enabling thinner sections to achieve higher design pressures. For noise-sensitive websites, acoustic PVB formulas modify the polymer to better soak up noise in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz range, where traffic and voices sit.

Tempered glass windows show up often in discussions due to the fact that tempered glass is stronger in Boca Raton hurricane window installation flexing than annealed glass. That's true, and tempered lites are typically utilized as the outer or inner ply in an effect system. However tempered alone is not impact-resistant in the typhoon sense. When it fails, it blows up into little cubes and falls out of the frame, which leaves the opening vulnerable. The effect performance originates from laminated building, not tempering by itself. Lots of systems use a tempered outer lite laminated to a hardened inner lite, or both tempered, however always bonded through a PVB or ionoplast interlayer.

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

Frames are the other half of the story. Aluminum frames control here because they handle big openings and will not swell. Thermal breaks and enhanced glazing gaskets have actually narrowed the energy gap with vinyl. High-quality vinyl effect frames, when reinforced appropriately, can perform well for standard-sized openings and have better insulating worths, but I prevent them for very broad sliders or tall storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad systems look beautiful in older Mediterranean Revival homes, but they demand careful maintenance and clever flashing. The Florida sun ruins inexpensive vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum finishes quickly. Search for powder-coated surfaces rated for coastal exposure, and request written guarantee information in salt-air environments.

The surprise hero: setup that appreciates the load path

Window setup can make or break efficiency. A costly unit installed like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's stress test. The load course is the core. Effect forces have to travel from the glass through the frame, to the anchors, into the substrate, and after that into the structure's framing or masonry.

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

The sealant joint is not simply aesthetic. A properly sized backer rod and high-quality polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant create a resilient, versatile seal that deals with thermal expansion. Too small a bead and it tears under movement. Too big and it treatments badly. On seaside jobs, I never ever combine dissimilar 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 crucial. If you rely on sealant alone, water will discover its method. That moisture may disappoint up as a drip. It may rot a sill plate gradually, then betray itself as a buckling floor or a musty odor two typhoon 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 kept and lubricated, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even detachable panels kept carefully can secure homes successfully. They likewise assist in specific cases.

Second homes or seasonal leasings where budget plan is tight often lean on shutters to fulfill the Florida building code windows requirement for safeguarded openings. On specialized openings like a lanai that is rarely utilized in summer season, a tidy motorized roll-down can be affordable, particularly if pairing with impact doors and windows in other places worries 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 compromises. They darken your house when released, and they require action at specifically the time you are managing insurance papers, gas cans, and family logistics. Throughout Cyclone Irma, I watched a next-door neighbor attempt 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 survived with stitches. His living-room window did not. Shutters also rattle and can vibrate under continual winds, in some cases loosening up fasteners over time if not maintained.

For long-lasting owners who want to set it and forget it, impact windows offer cyclone evidence windows coverage while maintaining daylight and view. The convenience grows valuable once you have actually experienced one storm season with no prep beyond locking the sash.

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

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

Low-E impact glass uses microscopically thin metal layers to reflect infrared energy while letting visible light through. With the ideal finish stacks, you can obstruct a large part of radiant heat and UV. UV clog in laminated units comes mostly from the interlayer itself, which generally filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, reducing fading of materials and floor covering. Include the low-E, and you suppress the solar heat that drives your a/c insane 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 minimizing nighttime heat circulation and keeping the interior glass temperature level closer to space temperature, which decreases condensation threat. SHGC drives how much solar heat enters. VT affects how intense the interior feels. Balance is crucial. Some property owners desire the crisp, clear appearance of greater VT, even if it suggests accepting a couple of degrees more heat in late afternoon, since their landscaping and roof overhangs currently do some shading. Others choose a more powerful tint for glare control on waterfront lots that show extreme light.

In practical terms, going from clear single-pane sliders to modern-day low-E laminated double-glazed systems can reduce peak solar gains by 30 to half on the most exposed sides. Couple that with tuned overhangs, light-colored outside finishes, and an effectively sized variable-speed heating and cooling, and you begin to construct resilience. If the grid goes down and you switch to a generator, a lower cooling load implies a smaller sized 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 document you ask for. It details the approved setups, sizes, anchors, and pressures checked. It is inadequate to hear "these are Miami-Dade authorized windows" in a display room. Verify 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 permitting office 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 Hurricane Zone, Florida building code windows can count on Florida Item Approval without Miami-Dade particular NOAs. Numerous top makers carry both. Where spending plans permit, I prefer NOA items even outside the zone since the testing is stiffer.

NFRC labels manage energy metrics. They will not tell you impact performance, however they show U-factor, SHGC, VT, and air leakage. Go for air leak at or below 0.3 cfm/ft ². Tighter is much better for humidity control, but ensure your home still has stabilized ventilation. Sealing the envelope and disregarding 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. Installed costs vary with size, shape, finish, and gain access to. On simple single-family homes, per-opening expenses often land between 1,200 and 3,000 dollars for basic sizes. Large multi-panel sliders, custom arches, and coastal-grade finishes raise the numbers quickly.

Where you recover worth:

  • Insurance credits add up, often 10 to 25 percent off premiums when all openings are protected.
  • Energy savings, typically 8 to 20 percent on annual cooling costs in older homes after a complete window upgrade paired with sealing and attic improvements.
  • Resale appeal, specifically in markets where purchasers expect effect windows and doors as a standard. A home with accordion shutters competes, but a home with storm effect windows shows much better, feels quieter, and usually appraises stronger.

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

Details that separate excellent systems from great ones

I take note of hardware and accessories. Multi-point locks on sashes and awnings enhance seal compression and security. For sliders, robust tandem rollers in stainless housings move smoother and last longer on sandy outdoor patios. Look at the sill design on moving doors. Weep systems ought to be crafted to drain pipes 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 style. Reflective movies can contravene of neighborhood watch or produce mirror-like glare towards surrounding homes. In seaside ecosystems, 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 huge deal. Dark bronze or black frames look wonderful on modern-day homes, however in Florida sun inexpensive surfaces chalk and fade. AAMA 2605-rated coatings provide the very best color retention and chalk resistance. I specify them for coastal direct exposures whenever spending plans allow.

Special cases: historic homes, condos, and difficult openings

Historic districts often need profiles that imitate old wood sash sightlines. There are impact-rated windows that fit these requirements, but lead times lengthen and costs climb. Anticipate additional review by architectural boards, and line up a contractor acquainted with these submissions.

Condos have another layer of governance. Associations often specify a narrow list of authorized products for uniformity. They likewise care about noise control between systems. If your building sits straight on Collins Opportunity or deals with a busy beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated choices. Deal with structure management on staging and lift access. Weekend work windows and minimal parking can add days and dollars.

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

What a tidy task appears like from survey to last inspection

The best projects start with a determined survey and exposure analysis. You map each opening, keep in mind the substrate, and determine any framing irregularities or settlement cracks. During proposition, the professional reveals you the NOA and the Florida Item Approval, lists anchor types, and discusses how each opening will be flashed and sealed. They plan for stucco or drywall repairs, not pretend no damage will occur.

On set up day, they eliminate one opening at a time to keep the house safe. They protect floors, pull back window treatments, and cap sprinklers. Old frames bring out care to preserve interior surfaces. New units 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, particularly if they will be hidden. After glazing, they water-test with a regulated spray to validate drain courses and seals. The inspector sees a neat jobsite, clear labels, and paperwork in order.

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

Frequently misconstrued points that cost property owners later

Impact score does not equivalent breakproof. Laminated glass can split under severe impacts, however it needs to remain in the frame and hold together. After a storm that sends debris into the glass, you may see star cracks or spidering. The window did its task. Change the sash or IGU after the event.

Window movies 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 insurer and building department will not count movies as safeguarded openings.

Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient effect windows decrease air leak. That's fantastic, however it increases the significance of an effectively sized a/c with great dehumidification. If your system is oversized, the thermostat satisfies quickly and stops working to pull enough moisture from the air. Ask your HVAC pro to examine practical heat ratio, air flow, and run time. You desire consistent, longer cycles, not brief bursts.

Maintenance is uncomplicated 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. Small practices extend lifespan.

When shutters still belong in the conversation

There are legitimate factors to blend services. A pair of hardly ever utilized garage windows can keep removable panels to shave budget plan. A deep-set porch with very little sun exposure may do great with accordion shutters if you prioritize other upgrades like a brand-new roof deck attachment or a prepared garage door. Shutters can also secure outside kitchen areas or cabana openings where grease and smoke would age elegant hardware prematurely.

If you select shutters, buy quality. Stainless fasteners, smooth tracks, and motors with manual bypasses for roll-downs make a distinction. Assign duty for implementation and practice when outside of a storm watch. Inventory your hardware. The day you require 32 wing nuts is not the morning you wish to find you have 29.

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

Impact windows are not only about surviving the huge one. They reshape daily living. The living-room remains cooler and quieter. The AC cycles calmly rather 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 hurricane 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 much of my clients, that intangible is the deciding aspect. They know storms will come. They also understand life in South Florida is too great to live inside a fortress that only awakens in August. Miami-Dade authorized windows offer you both: a clear view of Biscayne Bay on a breezy February early 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 develop pressures, pick the ideal laminated glass stack for wind and heat, select frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and hire a team that respects the load path. Done right, energy‑efficient impact windows deliver what shutters can not: security that never ever asks 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.