November 3, 2025

Hurricane-Proof Peace of Mind: 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 two decades defining, setting up, and fixing structure envelopes from Secret Largo to Palm Beach, I have actually seen what holds up and what doesn't. When the goal is genuine security with year-round convenience, Miami-Dade authorized, energy‑efficient impact windows outshine shutters in ways that exceed storm day. They alter how a house feels in August, how quiet 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 practical look at why numerous South Florida homeowners are moving from shutters to typhoon impact-resistant windows, how to read the requirements behind "Miami-Dade approved," what products matter, and how to get the setup right the first time.

What "Miami-Dade Approved" really means

Miami-Dade County's Product Control Division sets one of the toughest benchmarks in the nation for developing components exposed to windborne debris. Approval is not a marketing sticker. It is made through specific lab tests that simulate real typhoon conditions.

First comes large rocket impact. A 9-pound 2x4 is contended the glass at approximately 34 miles per hour. That mimics roofing tiles, branches, or pieces of fencing that fly in the eyewall. After the impact, the same system deals with cyclic pressure loading, thousands of 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 distinction between "meets Florida building code windows" and "Miami-Dade authorized windows" frequently resides in these test limits. Miami-Dade is merely stiffer, especially in High Speed Hurricane Zone requirements, which include Miami-Dade and Broward.

Wind rankings differ by opening size and style pressures, represented as PSF values. On ocean-facing properties or high-rises, I often define systems ranked at +60/ -80 PSF or higher. Inland or in more protected exposures, rankings in the +45/ -60 PSF variety can suffice, however you size and spec based upon the website's wind map, constructing height, and surrounding structures. A professional knows that a corner direct exposure at the second story needs various reinforcement than a sheltered window under a deep porch.

Why impact windows alter the day-to-day experience, not simply storm season

Hurricane shutters vs impact windows is not a one-to-one contrast. Shutters can meet code, and they're much better than nothing. But they ask you to do operate 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 protection, even if a pop-up storm surprises you while you're stuck on United States 1. You likewise get benefits every day of the year.

Noise control is the most underappreciated benefit. Laminated impact glass is essentially 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 corridors like Biscayne Boulevard or near flight paths, I've measured interior sound drops in the 5 to 10 decibel range, in some cases more when coupled with insulated glass units.

Security enhances because laminated glass withstands forced entry. A burglar can shatter the external lite with a hammer, but the interlayer holds the shards. They fulfill a sticky, persistent membrane instead of a fast course inside. Insurance underwriters understand this, which is why policies frequently use credits for effect windows and doors. In my projects, premiums typically drop 10 to 25 percent, depending on the carrier and the number of openings are protected.

Energy efficiency is the 3rd pillar. Energy-efficient impact windows with contemporary low-E impact glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while preserving visible light. That indicates less a/c need, specifically on west and south direct 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 visited approximately a lots of cooling, and the home's yearly electricity usage fell between 12 and 18 percent. Outcomes vary with shading, attic insulation, and HVAC efficiency, however the direction is consistent.

Material choices that matter: glass, interlayers, and frames

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

Most property cyclone windows utilize a PVB interlayer glass stack, frequently 0.030 to 0.090 inches thick in single or numerous plies. Thicker interlayers enhance effect resistance and sound control, but they include weight and expense. For oceanfront or tall openings, you may see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and stronger than PVB, enabling thinner sections to accomplish greater style pressures. For noise-sensitive websites, acoustic PVB formulations tweak the polymer to better absorb noise in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz variety, where traffic and voices sit.

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

Low-E 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 range while keeping noticeable light transmission around 50 percent or greater. Go too low on SHGC and the glass can look gray or green, especially 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 small tint to manage early morning and afternoon blasts. On north elevations, I favor higher noticeable transmittance for daylighting.

Frames are the other half of the story. Aluminum frames dominate here since they deal with large openings and won't swell. Thermal breaks and improved glazing gaskets have narrowed the energy gap with vinyl. Premium vinyl effect frames, when strengthened properly, can perform well for standard-sized openings and have much better insulating values, however I avoid them for extremely large sliders or tall storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad units look beautiful in older Mediterranean Revival homes, however they demand mindful maintenance and clever flashing. The Florida sun damages cheap vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum surfaces quickly. Look for powder-coated finishes ranked for seaside direct exposure, and demand written guarantee details in salt-air environments.

The concealed hero: installation that respects the load path

Window installation can make or break performance. A costly system set up like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's stress test. The load path is the essence. Effect 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 desire stainless or hot-dipped galvanized anchors embedded into solid product. Hollow cells need to 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 houses, structural screws should bite into strong trimmers, not just sheathing. Shimming and plumb alignment matter so the locks engage easily and the weatherstripping compresses evenly.

The sealant joint is not simply aesthetic. A properly sized backer rod and high-quality polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant develop a durable, versatile seal that handles thermal expansion. Too little a bead and it tears under movement. Too big and it treatments inadequately. On seaside jobs, I never match durable impact windows dissimilar metals without a barrier, and I always define 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 crucial. If you count on sealant alone, water will find its method. That wetness might not show up as a drip. It might rot a sill plate gradually, then betray itself as a buckling floor or a musty odor two cyclone seasons later.

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

I have absolutely nothing against well-designed shutters. Accordion shutters that are kept and oiled, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even detachable panels kept carefully can safeguard homes effectively. They also help in particular cases.

Second homes or seasonal rentals where budget plan is tight in some cases lean on shutters to fulfill the Florida building regulations windows requirement for secured openings. On specialized openings like a lanai that is seldom utilized in summertime, a clean motorized roll-down can be reasonable, especially if coupling with effect doors and windows elsewhere 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 compromises. They darken your home when released, and they require action at precisely the time you are juggling insurance coverage papers, gas cans, and family logistics. During Typhoon Irma, I viewed 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 urgent care waiting space. He endured with stitches. His living room window did not. Shutters also rattle and can vibrate under sustained winds, sometimes loosening up fasteners with time if not maintained.

For long-term owners who wish to set it and forget it, effect windows offer cyclone evidence windows coverage while protecting daylight and view. The benefit grows valuable once you have actually experienced one storm season with absolutely no prep beyond locking the sash.

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

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

Low-E impact glass uses microscopically thin metal layers to reflect infrared energy while letting visible light through. With the best finish stacks, you can block a large part of radiant heat and UV. UV clog in laminated systems comes mostly from the interlayer itself, which typically filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, minimizing fading of materials and floor covering. Include the low-E, and you suppress the solar heat that drives your a/c crazy midafternoon.

I evaluate glass specifications with three numbers: U-factor, SHGC, and VT. While U-factor matters more up north, it still assists here by lowering nighttime heat flow and keeping the interior glass temperature closer to room temperature level, which lowers condensation risk. SHGC drives just how much solar heat goes into. VT affects how bright the interior feels. Balance is key. Some house owners desire the crisp, clear appearance of greater VT, even if it implies accepting a couple of degrees more heat in late afternoon, since their landscaping and roofing system overhangs currently do some shading. Others prefer a more powerful tint for glare control on waterside lots that reflect extreme 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 exterior surfaces, and a correctly sized variable-speed HVAC, and you start to develop strength. If the grid goes down and you switch to a generator, a lower cooling load implies a smaller generator and less gallons of fuel.

Reading labels and approvals without getting lost in alphabet soup

Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance, or NOA, is the document you request. It details the authorized setups, sizes, anchors, and pressures tested. It is not enough to hear "these are Miami-Dade approved windows" in a display room. Validate the NOA matches the exact model and alternatives you are purchasing, including 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 remainder of the state outside the High Speed Hurricane Zone, Florida building regulations windows can rely on Florida Item Approval without Miami-Dade particular NOAs. Many top producers carry both. Where budgets permit, I choose NOA items even outside the zone since the screening is stiffer.

NFRC labels handle energy metrics. They will not inform you effect efficiency, but they show U-factor, SHGC, VT, and air leak. Go for air leak at or below 0.3 cfm/ft ². Tighter is better for humidity control, but make sure your home still has actually stabilized ventilation. Sealing the envelope and neglecting fresh air is a recipe 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. Set up expenses vary with size, shape, finish, and access. On simple single-family homes, per-opening costs typically 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 recoup worth:

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

If you prepare to own the property for 5 years or more, the mathematics often tilts in favor of effect windows, particularly when you factor the intangible of peace of mind. If you prepare to offer within a year and need to reveal compliance quickly, shutters might make more short-term sense. Context matters.

Details that separate good systems from excellent ones

I pay attention to 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 moving 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 style. Reflective movies can contravene of neighborhood watch or produce mirror-like glare toward surrounding homes. In seaside environments, highly 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 homes, however in Florida sun cheap finishes chalk and fade. AAMA 2605-rated finishes provide the very best color retention and chalk resistance. I specify them for seaside direct exposures whenever spending plans allow.

Special cases: historical homes, condos, and tricky openings

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

Condos have another layer of governance. Associations in some cases define a narrow list of approved items for harmony. They likewise appreciate noise control in between units. If your structure sits straight on Collins Avenue or faces a hectic beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated choices. Work with building management on staging and lift access. Weekend work windows and restricted 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 system that looks strong in a display room fulfills the wind loads on a ninth-floor veranda. Do not count on catalog maximum sizes. Utilize the NOA tables that correspond to your site's zone, positive and unfavorable pressures, and mullion mixes if any.

What a clean job looks like from study to final inspection

The finest projects begin with a measured survey and exposure analysis. You map each opening, keep in mind the substrate, and recognize any framing irregularities or settlement cracks. During proposition, the specialist reveals you the NOA and the Florida Product 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 set up day, they remove one opening at a time to keep your home protected. 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 photograph anchors for the permit file, specifically if they will be concealed. After glazing, they water-test with a regulated spray to confirm drainage paths and seals. The inspector sees a cool jobsite, clear labels, and documentation in order.

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

Frequently misconstrued points that cost homeowners later

Impact score does not equal breakproof. Laminated glass can break under serious impacts, but it should remain in the frame and hold together. After a storm that sends debris into the glass, you might see star cracks or spidering. The window did its job. Change the sash or IGU after the event.

Window films do not transform non-impact windows into typhoon impact-resistant windows. They can include shatter resistance, however they do not replacement for a checked, anchored system. Your insurer and building department will not count films as safeguarded openings.

Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient impact windows minimize air leak. That's terrific, however it increases the importance of an effectively sized heating and cooling with great dehumidification. If your system is oversized, the thermostat satisfies rapidly and stops working to pull enough moisture from the air. Ask your a/c pro to examine reasonable heat ratio, airflow, and run time. You want stable, longer cycles, not short bursts.

Maintenance is simple 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. Little habits extend lifespan.

When shutters still belong in the conversation

There are legitimate factors to mix solutions. A pair of rarely used garage windows can keep detachable panels to shave spending plan. A deep-set deck with minimal sun exposure may do fine with accordion shutters if you focus on other upgrades like a brand-new roofing deck attachment or a prepared garage door. Shutters can also protect outside cooking areas or cabana openings where grease and smoke would age elegant hardware prematurely.

If you pick shutters, invest in quality. Stainless fasteners, smooth tracks, and motors with manual overrides for roll-downs make a difference. Designate duty for release and practice once beyond a storm watch. Inventory your hardware. The day you require 32 wing nuts is not the early morning you want to find you have 29.

The bottom line: peace of mind you can feel on a quiet Tuesday

Impact windows are not just about making it through 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 rather than panels.

For much of my clients, that intangible is the choosing factor. They understand storms will come. They also understand life in South Florida is too good to live inside a fortress that just gets up in August. Miami-Dade authorized windows provide you both: a clear view of Biscayne Bay on a breezy February morning and quiet confidence when the spaghetti designs point our method September.

If you are weighing the option, start with a site-specific assessment. Match your direct exposures to develop pressures, pick the ideal laminated glass stack for wind and heat, choose frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and work with a crew that appreciates the load path. Done right, energy‑efficient effect windows provide what shutters can not: defense that never asks for a ladder and a much better home every day of the year.

I am a dynamic innovator with a broad knowledge base in entrepreneurship. My conviction in entrepreneurship spurs my desire to innovate disruptive organizations. In my business career, I have cultivated a profile as being a daring thinker. Aside from creating my own businesses, I also enjoy counseling young startup founders. I believe in empowering the next generation of startup founders to pursue their own aspirations. I am easily seeking out disruptive opportunities and working together with similarly-driven creators. Redefining what's possible is my purpose. Aside from engaged in my enterprise, I enjoy immersing myself in dynamic environments. I am also focused on health and wellness.