October 18, 2025

Hurricane-Proof Peace of Mind: Picking 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 ritual of transporting ladders to mount panels. After twenty years specifying, installing, and repairing structure envelopes from Secret Largo to Palm Beach, I have actually seen what holds up and what does not. When the goal is real defense with year-round comfort, Miami-Dade authorized, energy‑efficient impact windows outperform shutters in ways that surpass storm day. They change how a home 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 practical take a look at why many South Florida house owners are moving from shutters to typhoon impact-resistant windows, how to check out the requirements behind "Miami-Dade approved," what products matter, and how to get the setup right the first time.

What "Miami-Dade Approved" in fact means

Miami-Dade County's Product Control Division sets one of the toughest standards in the country for developing parts exposed to windborne particles. Approval is not a marketing sticker. It is earned through specific laboratory tests that simulate real hurricane conditions.

First comes big missile effect. A 9-pound 2x4 is shot at the glass at roughly 34 miles per hour. That mimics roofing system tiles, branches, or pieces of fencing that fly in the eyewall. After the impact, the very same unit deals with cyclic pressure loading, countless pressurization and depressurization cycles that mimic rapid wind gusts over hours. If the glass stays in the frame without letting the envelope breach, it passes. The difference in between "satisfies Florida building regulations windows" and "Miami-Dade authorized windows" frequently resides in these test limits. Miami-Dade is just stiffer, particularly 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 residential or commercial properties or high-rises, I often define systems ranked at +60/ -80 PSF or greater. Inland or in more secured exposures, scores in the +45/ -60 PSF range can be enough, but you size and specification based upon the site's wind map, building height, NOA vs FPA difference and surrounding structures. A professional knows that a corner exposure at the 2nd story demands different support than a protected window under a deep porch.

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

Hurricane shutters vs impact windows is not a one-to-one comparison. Shutters can satisfy code, and they're better than absolutely nothing. However they ask you to do operate at the worst possible time. When a watch turns to a caution 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 constant security, even if a pop-up storm surprises you while you're stuck on US 1. You likewise get benefits every day of the year.

Noise control is the most underappreciated advantage. Laminated impact glass is basically a sandwich: 2 panes of glass bonded by a durable interlayer, normally PVB interlayer glass or SentryGlas. That interlayer damps sound. On tasks along hectic passages like Biscayne Boulevard or near flight courses, I've determined interior noise drops in the 5 to 10 decibel variety, in some cases more when coupled with insulated glass units.

Security improves due to the fact that laminated glass resists required entry. An intruder can shatter the external lite with a hammer, but the interlayer holds the fragments. They meet a sticky, persistent membrane instead of a fast path inside. Insurance underwriters know this, which is why policies often offer credits for effect doors and windows. In my jobs, premiums typically drop 10 to 25 percent, depending upon the provider and how many openings are protected.

Energy efficiency is the third pillar. Energy-efficient impact windows with modern-day low-E effect glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while preserving visible light. That means 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. Summertime Low-E impact glass afternoon peak load stopped by roughly a ton of cooling, and the home's yearly electrical power use fell in between 12 and 18 percent. Results vary with shading, attic insulation, and HVAC efficiency, but the instructions is consistent.

Material options 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 use a PVB interlayer glass stack, typically 0.030 to 0.090 inches thick in single or multiple plies. Thicker interlayers improve effect resistance and sound control, but they add weight and cost. For oceanfront or tall openings, you may see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and more powerful than PVB, allowing thinner areas to achieve greater design pressures. For noise-sensitive sites, acoustic PVB formulations fine-tune the polymer to better take in sound in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz variety, where traffic and voices sit.

Tempered glass windows come up often in discussions since tempered glass is more powerful in bending than annealed glass. That's true, and tempered lites are typically used as the external or inner ply in an impact unit. But tempered alone is not impact-resistant in the cyclone sense. When it fails, it blows up into little cubes and falls out of the frame, which leaves the opening susceptible. The impact efficiency comes from laminated building, not tempering by itself. Many systems utilize 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 convenience. A soft-coat low-E tuned for South Florida generally targets a solar heat gain coefficient in the 0.25 to 0.35 variety while keeping noticeable light transmission around half or greater. Go too low on SHGC and the glass can look gray or green, particularly in bigger openings. The sweet area depends on your exterior orientation and shading. On east and west elevations, I often tighten up SHGC and accept a small tint to handle morning and afternoon blasts. On north elevations, I lean toward higher noticeable transmittance for daylighting.

Frames are the other half of the story. Aluminum frames control here because they manage large openings and won't swell. Thermal breaks and improved glazing gaskets have narrowed the energy space with vinyl. Top quality vinyl effect frames, when strengthened effectively, can carry out well for standard-sized openings and have much better insulating values, but I prevent them for really broad sliders or high storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad systems look stunning in older Mediterranean Revival homes, but they require mindful maintenance and clever flashing. The Florida sun destroys low-cost vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum finishes quickly. Look for powder-coated surfaces ranked for seaside exposure, and request written guarantee information in salt-air environments.

The hidden hero: installation that respects the load path

Window setup can make or break efficiency. A costly unit set up like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's stress test. The load course is the essence. Impact 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 and construction, you desire stainless or hot-dipped galvanized anchors embedded into solid material. Hollow cells must be grouted or you need 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 positioning matter so the locks engage cleanly and the weatherstripping compresses evenly.

The sealant joint is not just visual. A properly sized backer rod and premium polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant develop a durable, versatile seal that manages thermal expansion. Too small a bead and it tears under movement. Too huge and it remedies poorly. On coastal jobs, I never ever combine different metals without a barrier, and I always specify corrosion-resistant fasteners. Ten 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 important. If you depend on sealant alone, water will find its way in. That moisture may not show up as a drip. It may rot a sill plate slowly, then betray itself as a buckling floor or a moldy odor two hurricane seasons later.

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

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

Second homes or seasonal leasings where budget is tight sometimes lean on shutters to meet the Florida building code windows requirement for safeguarded openings. On specialized openings like a lanai that is rarely utilized in summer, a tidy motorized roll-down can be sensible, particularly if pairing with effect doors and windows somewhere else stresses the spending plan. For homeowners who plan to move within a year, shutters can be a brief bridge to compliance before a sale.

But shutters bring compromises. They darken your home when released, and they need action at precisely the time you are juggling insurance coverage papers, gas cans, and household logistics. Throughout Cyclone Irma, I saw a next-door neighbor attempt 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 also rattle and can vibrate under sustained winds, often loosening fasteners gradually if not maintained.

For long-lasting owners who wish to set it and forget it, effect windows give cyclone proof windows coverage while preserving daylight and view. The convenience grows important once you have actually experienced one storm season with zero prep beyond locking the sash.

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

South Florida homes fight 2 fights: hidden load from humidity and practical load from direct solar heat gain. Effect glass upgrades can assist both if defined intelligently.

Low-E effect glass uses microscopically thin metallic layers to reflect infrared energy while letting noticeable light through. With the ideal covering stacks, you can obstruct a big 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, minimizing fading of fabrics and floor covering. Add the low-E, and you suppress the solar heat that drives your AC insane midafternoon.

I evaluate glass specs with three numbers: U-factor, SHGC, and VT. While U-factor matters more up north, it still helps here by lowering nighttime heat circulation and keeping the interior glass temperature closer to room temperature level, which minimizes condensation threat. SHGC drives just how much solar heat enters. VT influences how bright the interior feels. Balance is crucial. Some homeowners desire the crisp, clear appearance of higher VT, even if it suggests accepting a few degrees more heat in late afternoon, because their landscaping and roofing system overhangs already do some shading. Others prefer a stronger tint for glare control on waterside lots that show severe light.

In practical terms, going from clear single-pane sliders to modern-day low-E laminated double-glazed units can reduce peak solar gains by 30 to half on the most exposed sides. Couple that with tuned overhangs, light-colored outside finishes, and a correctly 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 generator and fewer gallons of fuel.

Reading labels and approvals without getting lost in alphabet soup

Miami-Dade Notice of Approval, or NOA, is the file you ask for. It details the approved configurations, sizes, anchors, and pressures tested. It is not enough 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 allowing office will want this paper trail.

Statewide, the Florida Item Approval system supplies FL numbers that show code compliance. In the rest of storm protection comparison the state outside the High Velocity Cyclone Zone, Florida building regulations windows can depend on Florida Item Approval without Miami-Dade specific NOAs. Lots of top makers carry both. Where budget plans permit, I choose NOA items even outside the zone due to the fact that the screening is stiffer.

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

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

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

Where you recover worth:

  • Insurance credits accumulate, frequently 10 to 25 percent off premiums when all openings are protected.
  • Energy cost savings, generally 8 to 20 percent on yearly cooling expenses in older homes after a complete window upgrade coupled with sealing and attic improvements.
  • Resale appeal, particularly in markets where purchasers anticipate effect windows and doors as a standard. A home with accordion shutters completes, but a home with storm impact windows shows better, feels quieter, and generally appraises stronger.

If you plan to own the home 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 plan to offer within a year and need to show compliance quickly, shutters might make more short-term sense. Context matters.

Details that separate great systems from excellent ones

I pay attention to hardware and devices. Multi-point locks on sashes and awnings enhance seal compression and security. For sliders, robust tandem rollers in stainless real estates slide smoother and last longer on sandy patios. Look at the sill design on sliding doors. Weep systems ought to be crafted to drain 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 style. Reflective movies can run afoul of neighborhood associations or produce mirror-like glare towards neighboring residential or commercial properties. In seaside ecosystems, highly reflective glass can puzzle birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Regional pros understand which coverings balance performance with compliance.

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

Special cases: historical homes, condominiums, and challenging openings

Historic districts frequently require profiles that simulate old wood sash sightlines. There are impact-rated windows that fit these requirements, however lead times extend and costs climb. Expect additional evaluation by architectural boards, and line up a professional acquainted with these submissions.

Condos have another layer of governance. Associations in some cases define a narrow list of authorized products for harmony. They likewise appreciate sound control in between units. If your building sits directly on Collins Opportunity 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 add days and dollars.

Large openings, like a 16-foot-wide slider, need special attention in style pressure, deflection, and running hardware. Not every system that looks strong in a showroom satisfies the wind loads on a ninth-floor terrace. 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 study to last inspection

The finest tasks start with a measured study and exposure analysis. You map each opening, note the substrate, and determine any framing abnormalities or settlement fractures. During proposition, the contractor shows you the NOA and the Florida Item Approval, notes 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 install day, they get rid of one opening at a time to keep your home safe and secure. They safeguard floorings, 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 crew checks squareness and diagonals before setting sealant. They photo anchors for the license file, particularly if they will be concealed. After glazing, they water-test with a controlled spray to verify drainage paths and seals. The inspector sees a cool jobsite, clear labels, and documents in order.

Six months later on, your windows still close with two fingers, locks bite smoothly, and there is no secret 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 house owners later

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

Window films do custom impact window sizes 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 structure department will not count movies as safeguarded openings.

Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient impact windows reduce air leakage. That's excellent, but it increases the importance of a correctly sized a/c with excellent dehumidification. If your system is large, the thermostat satisfies rapidly and stops working to pull enough moisture from the air. Ask your a/c pro to inspect reasonable heat ratio, air flow, and run time. You want constant, longer cycles, not brief bursts.

Maintenance is simple however not optional. Clean weep holes on sliders, wash salt spray from frames, and lubricate hardware each year with a silicone-based item that will not gum up in heat. Little habits extend lifespan.

When shutters still belong in the conversation

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

If you choose shutters, buy quality. Stainless fasteners, smooth tracks, and motors with manual overrides for roll-downs make a difference. Assign duty for deployment and practice as soon as outside of a storm watch. Inventory your hardware. The day you need 32 wing nuts is not the early morning you wish to find you have 29.

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

Impact windows are not only about making it through the huge one. They reshape daily living. The living-room remains cooler and quieter. The air conditioner 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 much shorter. You lock the sashes, set storm mode on the alarm, and focus on individuals rather than panels.

For a number of my customers, that intangible is the choosing element. They know storms will come. They also understand life in South Florida is too excellent to live inside a fortress that just awakens in August. Miami-Dade authorized windows give you both: a clear view of Biscayne Bay on a breezy February early morning and peaceful self-confidence when the spaghetti designs point our method September.

If you are weighing the option, start with a site-specific evaluation. Match your exposures to design pressures, pick the right laminated glass stack for wind and heat, select frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and employ a crew that appreciates the load path. Done right, energy‑efficient effect windows deliver what shutters can not: protection 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.