November 3, 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 neighbors track tropical waves, the pre-storm rush to stock up, and the ritual of transporting ladders to mount panels. After two decades specifying, installing, and troubleshooting building envelopes from Secret Largo to Palm Beach, I have actually seen what holds up and what does not. When the objective is real defense with year-round comfort, Miami-Dade approved, energy‑efficient impact windows outshine shutters in manner ins which surpass storm day. They alter how a house feels in August, how quiet your living room remains on a Saturday night, and how positive you are when a storm line spins up much faster than predicted.

This is a practical look at why lots of South Florida house owners are moving from shutters to cyclone impact-resistant windows, how to read the requirements behind "Miami-Dade approved," what materials matter, and how to get the setup right the very first time.

What "Miami-Dade Approved" in fact means

Miami-Dade County's Item Control Division sets one of the toughest criteria in the nation for building elements exposed to windborne particles. Approval is not a marketing sticker. It is earned through particular lab tests that replicate genuine cyclone conditions.

First comes big rocket impact. A 9-pound 2x4 is shot at the glass at roughly 34 miles per hour. That imitates roofing tiles, branches, or pieces of fencing that fly in the eyewall. After the impact, the same unit faces cyclic pressure loading, countless pressurization and depressurization cycles that imitate fast wind gusts over hours. If the glass stays in the frame without letting the envelope breach, it passes. The difference between "meets Florida building regulations windows" and "Miami-Dade authorized windows" typically resides in these test thresholds. Miami-Dade is simply stiffer, especially in High Speed Cyclone Zone requirements, that include Miami-Dade and Broward.

Wind ratings differ by opening size and design pressures, denoted as PSF values. On ocean-facing properties or high-rises, I frequently specify systems rated at +60/ -80 PSF or greater. Inland or in more safeguarded direct exposures, ratings in the +45/ -60 PSF range can be sufficient, however you size and spec based on the website's wind map, building height, and surrounding structures. An expert understands that a corner exposure at the 2nd story needs various support than a protected 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 nothing. But they ask you to do operate at the worst possible time. When a watch turns to a warning and the projection track tightens, the last thing you want is a ladder, a dead cordless drill, and a missing wing nut.

Impact windows reside in place. You get constant protection, 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 basically a sandwich: two panes of glass bonded by a durable interlayer, generally PVB interlayer glass or SentryGlas. That interlayer damps sound. On jobs along hectic corridors like Biscayne Boulevard or near flight courses, I have actually measured interior sound drops in the 5 to 10 decibel variety, often more when paired with insulated glass units.

Security enhances since laminated glass withstands forced entry. A burglar 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 underwriters know this, which is why policies often offer credits for effect doors and windows. In my projects, premiums normally drop 10 to 25 percent, depending upon the carrier 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 preserving noticeable light. That indicates less a/c need, especially on west and south exposures where the afternoon sun punishes interiors. In one Coral Gables retrofit, we changed 1980s single-pane sliders with laminated low-E effect systems. Summertime afternoon peak load stopped by roughly a lots of cooling, and the home's yearly electrical energy usage fell in between 12 and 18 percent. Results differ with shading, attic insulation, and HVAC effectiveness, but the direction is consistent.

Material choices that matter: glass, interlayers, and frames

Laminated impact 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 several plies. Thicker interlayers improve impact resistance and sound control, but they include weight and expense. For oceanfront or high openings, you might see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and stronger than PVB, allowing thinner areas to weather-resistant impact windows attain higher design pressures. For noise-sensitive websites, acoustic PVB formulas modify the polymer to much better absorb noise in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz variety, where traffic and voices sit.

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

Low-E coatings 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 variety while keeping visible light transmission around half or higher. 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 frequently tighten SHGC and accept a slight tint to handle early morning and afternoon blasts. On north elevations, I favor higher visible transmittance for daylighting.

Frames are the other half of the story. Aluminum frames control here since they deal with big openings and will not swell. Thermal breaks and enhanced glazing gaskets have narrowed the energy gap with vinyl. Premium vinyl impact frames, when strengthened properly, can perform well for standard-sized openings and have better insulating worths, but I prevent them for extremely wide sliders or tall storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad systems look gorgeous in older Mediterranean Revival homes, however they require careful maintenance and clever flashing. The Florida sun ruins cheap vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum finishes quickly. Try to find powder-coated finishes ranked for coastal direct exposure, and request written warranty details in salt-air environments.

The covert hero: setup that appreciates the load path

Window installation can make or break performance. A costly unit installed like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's tension test. The load path is the core. Effect forces need 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 cinder block building and construction, you desire stainless or hot-dipped galvanized anchors embedded into solid product. Hollow cells must be grouted or you need to strike the bond beam. Tapcons in soft, unfilled block are a failure waiting to take place. In wood-framed homes, structural screws should bite into strong trimmers, not simply sheathing. Shimming and plumb positioning matter so the locks engage easily and the weatherstripping compresses evenly.

The sealant joint is not just aesthetic. An appropriately sized backer rod and premium polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant develop a durable, versatile seal that handles thermal growth. Too small a bead and it tears under motion. Too huge and it cures badly. On coastal jobs, I never match different metals without a barrier, and I always specify corrosion-resistant fasteners. Ten 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 important. If you rely on sealant alone, water will find its way in. That moisture might not show up as a drip. It may rot a sill plate slowly, then betray itself as a buckling flooring or a moldy smell 2 typhoon 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 maintained and oiled, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even removable panels kept thoroughly can protect homes efficiently. They also help in certain cases.

Second homes or seasonal leasings where budget 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 seldom used in summer season, a clean motorized roll-down can be sensible, specifically if pairing with effect windows and doors in other places stresses the spending plan. For homeowners who prepare to move within a year, shutters can be a short bridge to compliance before a sale.

But shutters bring compromises. They darken the house when released, and they require action at precisely the time you are handling insurance documents, gas cans, and household logistics. During Typhoon Irma, I saw a next-door neighbor attempt to install steel panels hours before landfall. The ladder sank in saturated soil, a panel slipped, and we spent the next hour in the urgent care waiting space. He survived with stitches. His living room window did not. Shutters likewise rattle and can vibrate under sustained winds, sometimes loosening fasteners over time if not maintained.

For long-lasting owners who want to set it and forget it, impact windows provide typhoon evidence windows protection while preserving daytime and view. The benefit grows important once you've experienced one storm season with absolutely no prep beyond locking the sash.

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

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

Low-E effect glass utilizes microscopically thin metal layers to show infrared energy while letting visible light through. With the ideal coating stacks, you can obstruct a large part of radiant heat and UV. UV obstruction in laminated systems comes largely from the interlayer itself, which normally filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, decreasing fading of fabrics and floor covering. Include the low-E, and you suppress the solar heat that drives your air conditioner insane midafternoon.

I examine glass specifications with 3 numbers: U-factor, SHGC, and VT. While U-factor matters more up north, it still helps here by minimizing nighttime heat circulation and keeping the interior glass temperature level closer to room temperature level, which reduces condensation danger. SHGC drives how much solar heat goes into. VT affects how bright the interior feels. Balance is key. Some homeowners desire the crisp, clear appearance of greater VT, even if quality impact windows Boca Raton it means accepting a few degrees more heat in late afternoon, since their landscaping and roofing overhangs currently do some shading. Others prefer a stronger tint for glare control on waterfront lots that reflect harsh light.

In practical terms, going from clear single-pane sliders to contemporary low-E laminated double-glazed units can reduce peak solar gains by 30 to 50 percent on the most exposed sides. Couple that with tuned overhangs, light-colored exterior finishes, and an appropriately sized variable-speed HVAC, and you begin to develop durability. If the grid decreases and you switch to a generator, a lower cooling load means a smaller sized generator and fewer gallons of fuel.

Reading labels and approvals without getting lost in alphabet soup

Miami-Dade Notification of Approval, or NOA, is the file you request for. It details the approved setups, sizes, anchors, and pressures tested. It is not enough to hear "these are Miami-Dade authorized windows" in a showroom. Validate the NOA matches the specific design and options you are buying, consisting of the glazing makeup and hardware. If you are in Broward or Miami-Dade, your allowing office will want this paper trail.

Statewide, the Florida Product Approval system offers FL numbers that show code compliance. In the remainder of the state outside the High Velocity Typhoon Zone, Florida building code windows can depend on Florida Item Approval without Miami-Dade particular NOAs. Lots of top producers bring both. Where budgets enable, I choose NOA products even outside the zone because the testing is stiffer.

NFRC labels deal with energy metrics. They will not inform you effect efficiency, but they reveal U-factor, SHGC, VT, and air leak. Aim for air leak at or listed below 0.3 cfm/ft ². Tighter is much better for humidity control, but ensure your home still has balanced ventilation. Sealing the envelope and overlooking fresh air is a recipe for indoor air quality complaints.

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

Impact windows cost more in advance than shutters. There's no spin around that. Set up costs differ with size, shape, surface, and Boca Raton custom window installation gain access to. On uncomplicated single-family homes, per-opening costs typically land 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, typically 10 to 25 percent off premiums when all openings are protected.
  • Energy cost savings, typically 8 to 20 percent on yearly cooling expenses in older homes after a full window upgrade coupled with sealing and attic improvements.
  • Resale appeal, especially in markets where buyers anticipate effect doors and windows as a baseline. A home with accordion shutters contends, however a home with storm impact windows reveals much better, feels quieter, and normally appraises stronger.

If you prepare to own the property for 5 years or more, the math frequently tilts in favor of effect windows, particularly when you factor the intangible of comfort. If you prepare to sell within a year and need to reveal compliance rapidly, shutters might make more short-term sense. Context matters.

Details that separate great systems from excellent ones

I take notice of hardware and devices. Multi-point locks on casements and awnings improve seal compression and security. For sliders, robust tandem rollers in stainless housings glide smoother and last longer on sandy patio areas. Take a look at the sill design on sliding doors. Weep systems must be engineered 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 run afoul of neighborhood watch or produce mirror-like glare toward surrounding homes. In coastal communities, extremely reflective glass can puzzle birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Local pros know which coatings balance performance with compliance.

Color stability is a huge deal. Dark bronze or black frames look great on modern-day homes, however in Florida sun inexpensive finishes chalk and fade. AAMA 2605-rated finishes supply the best color retention and chalk resistance. I define them for seaside exposures whenever budgets allow.

Special cases: historic homes, condominiums, and challenging openings

Historic districts typically 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 extra review by architectural boards, and line up a contractor acquainted with these submissions.

Condos have another layer of governance. Associations sometimes specify a narrow list of approved items for uniformity. They likewise care about noise control between systems. If your structure sits straight on Collins Opportunity or faces a hectic beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated options. Work with structure management on staging and lift access. Weekend work windows and limited parking can include days and dollars.

Large openings, like a 16-foot-wide slider, need unique attention in design pressure, deflection, and operating hardware. Not every unit that looks strong in a showroom satisfies the wind loads on a ninth-floor veranda. Do not rely on catalog maximum sizes. Use the NOA tables that correspond to your site's zone, favorable and negative pressures, and mullion combinations if any.

What a clean project looks like from study to final inspection

The best jobs begin with a determined survey and exposure analysis. You map each opening, note the substrate, and identify any framing irregularities or settlement fractures. Throughout proposition, the professional reveals you the NOA and the Florida Product Approval, notes anchor types, and describes 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 house safe and secure. They secure floors, draw back window treatments, and cap sprinklers. Old frames come out with care to protect interior surfaces. New units get dry-fit, shimmed, and anchored per the schedule. The crew checks squareness and diagonals before setting sealant. They photograph anchors for the license 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 neat jobsite, clear labels, and paperwork in order.

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

Frequently misinterpreted points that cost house owners later

Impact ranking does not equal breakproof. Laminated glass can split under serious effects, however it must stay in the frame and hold together. After a storm that sends particles into the glass, you may see star fractures or spidering. The window did its job. Change the sash or IGU after the event.

Window movies do not transform non-impact windows into typhoon impact-resistant windows. They can include shatter resistance, but they do not substitute for an evaluated, anchored system. Your insurance provider and building department will not count films as secured openings.

Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient impact windows lower air leakage. That's excellent, 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 a/c pro to inspect reasonable heat ratio, air flow, and run time. You want constant, longer cycles, not brief bursts.

Maintenance is simple but not optional. Tidy weep holes on sliders, Boca Raton hurricane window installation wash salt spray from frames, and oil hardware each year with a silicone-based product that will not gum up in heat. Small habits extend lifespan.

When shutters still belong in the conversation

There are legitimate factors to mix services. A set of seldom used garage windows can keep removable panels to shave spending plan. A deep-set patio with minimal sun exposure might do fine with accordion shutters if you focus on other upgrades like a new roof deck accessory or a fortified garage door. Shutters can likewise protect outside kitchen areas or cabana openings where grease and smoke would age fancy hardware prematurely.

If you select shutters, buy quality. Stainless fasteners, smooth tracks, and motors with handbook overrides for roll-downs make a difference. Appoint obligation for release and practice as soon as 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: peace of mind you can feel on a peaceful Tuesday

Impact windows are not only about enduring the huge one. They reshape daily living. The living room remains cooler and quieter. The air conditioning cycles calmly instead 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 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 much of my customers, that intangible is the deciding aspect. They understand storms will come. They also know life in South Florida is too good to live inside a fortress that only gets up in August. Miami-Dade authorized 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, begin with a site-specific evaluation. Match your direct exposures to create pressures, choose the ideal laminated glass stack for wind and heat, select frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and employ a team that respects the load path. Done right, energy‑efficient impact windows provide what shutters can not: security that never ever requests 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.