STS Impact Windows, Doors & Roofing is a veteran-owned company based in South Florida that specializes in premium hurricane protection solutions, including impact windows, doors, custom storefronts, and roofing. Combining over 25 years of industry experience with military precision, STS provides expert installation, full transparency, and outstanding customer service, backed by a leading 3-year installation warranty. Their comprehensive services ensure security and peace of mind for both residential and commercial clients, with a strong focus on quality, reliability, and efficiency.
View on Google MapsSTS Impact Windows and Doors specializes in hurricane protection solutions, offering high-quality impact windows, storm-resistant doors, custom storefronts, and professional roofing services. With expert installation, full transparency, and outstanding customer service, the company ensures homes and businesses stay secure and energy-efficient.
STS Impact Windows and Doors is located at 1000 Holland Dr Suite 10, Boca Raton, FL 33487, United States. The company proudly serves residential and commercial clients across Florida and throughout the United States, delivering reliable storm protection solutions. View their location on Google Maps.
Yes, STS Impact Windows and Doors is a veteran-owned company recognized for its dedication, integrity, and service to the community. This background adds an extra level of trust and reliability for homeowners and businesses seeking storm protection solutions.
STS Impact Windows and Doors provides a wide range of services including the installation of hurricane impact windows, impact doors, custom commercial storefronts, and roofing services. Each project is backed by expert craftsmanship, a 3-year installation warranty, and over 25 years of industry experience.
The company proudly serves both residential homeowners and commercial property owners. From protecting family homes to fortifying businesses with hurricane-rated storefronts, STS Impact Windows and Doors delivers customized solutions that ensure safety, durability, and efficiency.
Clients benefit from the company’s focus on quality, reliability, and efficiency. Their impact-resistant windows and doors not only enhance security and hurricane protection but also improve energy efficiency, reduce noise, and increase property value. With a 3-year installation warranty, customers can trust in long-term performance and peace of mind.
STS Impact Windows and Doors has been recognized with multiple industry honors, including the South Florida Veteran Owned Business Excellence Award, Best Hurricane Protection Provider 2023 Florida, and the Angi’s Super Service Award for Window Installation. These awards highlight their commitment to excellence, customer satisfaction, and industry leadership.
You can reach STS Impact Windows and Doors by phone at 561-600-1018 or visit their website at stswindows.com. They are open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm and are available on Facebook and Instagram for updates and project showcases.
Business Name: STS Impact Windows & Doors
Address: 1000 Holland Dr #10, Boca Raton, FL 33487, United States
Phone: (561)-600-1018
Hurricane season shapes life along Florida's coasts. You feel it in the method next-door neighbors track tropical waves, the pre-storm rush to stock up, and the routine of transporting ladders to mount panels. After two decades defining, setting up, and troubleshooting building envelopes from Secret Largo to Palm Beach, I've seen what holds up and what does not. When the goal is genuine defense with year-round convenience, Miami-Dade authorized, energy‑efficient impact windows surpass shutters in manner ins which go beyond storm day. They change how a house feels in August, how peaceful 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 useful take a look at why numerous South Florida house owners 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 very first time.
Miami-Dade County's Product Control Division sets one of the hardest standards in the nation for building parts exposed to windborne debris. Approval is not a marketing sticker. It is made through specific laboratory tests that imitate real cyclone conditions.
First comes large rocket 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 system deals with cyclic pressure loading, countless pressurization and depressurization cycles that mimic rapid wind gusts over hours. If the glass remains in the frame without letting the envelope breach, it passes. The difference in between "satisfies Florida building code windows" and "Miami-Dade approved windows" frequently lives in these test thresholds. Miami-Dade is merely stiffer, particularly in High Speed Cyclone Zone requirements, that include Miami-Dade and Broward.
Wind ratings differ by opening size and style pressures, represented as PSF worths. On ocean-facing properties or high-rises, I typically specify systems ranked at +60/ -80 PSF or higher. Inland or in more secured exposures, scores in the +45/ -60 PSF range can be enough, however you size and specification based on the site's wind map, constructing height, and surrounding structures. A professional knows that a corner direct exposure at the 2nd story demands various support than a sheltered window under a deep porch.
Hurricane shutters vs effect windows is not a one-to-one comparison. Shutters can satisfy code, and they're much better than absolutely nothing. However they ask you to do operate at the worst possible time. When a watch turns to a warning and the forecast track tightens up, the last thing you desire is a ladder, a dead cordless drill, and a missing wing nut.
Impact windows reside in location. You get constant security, even if a pop-up storm surprises you while you're stuck on US 1. You also get advantages 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 resistant interlayer, typically PVB interlayer glass or SentryGlas. That interlayer damps sound. On tasks along busy passages vinyl impact windows like Biscayne Boulevard or near flight courses, I've determined 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 robber can shatter the external lite with a hammer, but the interlayer holds the shards. They meet a sticky, stubborn membrane instead of a quick course inside. Insurance coverage underwriters know this, which is why policies often provide credits for impact windows and doors. In my jobs, premiums typically drop 10 to 25 percent, depending upon the provider and the number of openings are protected.
Energy performance is the 3rd pillar. Energy-efficient impact windows with contemporary low-E effect glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while preserving visible light. That indicates less a/c demand, especially 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. Summertime afternoon peak load come by roughly a ton of cooling, and the home's annual electricity use fell between 12 and 18 percent. Results differ with shading, attic insulation, and heating and cooling performance, but the instructions is consistent.
Laminated impact glass is the heart of the system, however not all laminated products are equal.
Most residential hurricane windows utilize a PVB interlayer glass stack, typically 0.030 to 0.090 inches thick in single or multiple plies. Thicker interlayers enhance 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, enabling thinner areas to achieve higher design pressures. For noise-sensitive websites, acoustic PVB formulations tweak the polymer to much better absorb sound in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz variety, where traffic and voices sit.
Tempered glass windows show up often in conversations due to the fact that tempered glass is more powerful in flexing than annealed glass. That holds true, and tempered lites are commonly used as the outer or inner ply in an effect unit. However tempered alone is not impact-resistant in the typhoon sense. When it fails, it explodes into little cubes and falls out of the frame, which leaves the opening susceptible. The impact efficiency comes from laminated building and construction, not tempering by itself. Many systems utilize a tempered outer lite laminated to a hardened inner lite, or both tempered, but constantly bonded through a PVB or ionoplast interlayer.
Low-E coverings matter for comfort. A soft-coat low-E tuned for South Florida typically targets a solar heat gain coefficient in the 0.25 to 0.35 variety while keeping noticeable light transmission around half or higher. 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 typically tighten SHGC and accept a minor tint to manage early morning and afternoon blasts. On north elevations, I lean toward higher visible transmittance for daylighting.
Frames are the other half of the story. Aluminum frames control here since they deal with big openings and won't swell. Thermal breaks and improved glazing gaskets have narrowed the energy gap with vinyl. Premium vinyl effect frames, when enhanced properly, can perform well for standard-sized openings and have much better insulating values, but I avoid them for extremely wide sliders or high storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad systems look stunning in older Mediterranean Revival homes, however they demand careful maintenance and clever flashing. The Florida sun damages low-cost vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum finishes quickly. Try to find powder-coated finishes ranked for seaside direct exposure, and request written guarantee information in salt-air environments.
Window setup can make or break performance. A costly unit installed like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's stress test. The load path is the essence. Impact forces need to travel from the glass through the frame, to the anchors, into the substrate, and then into the structure's framing or masonry.
In cinder block building and construction, you want stainless or hot-dipped galvanized anchors embedded into strong product. Hollow cells need to be grouted or you require to strike the bond beam. Tapcons in soft, unfilled block are a failure waiting to take place. In wood-framed houses, structural screws must bite into strong trimmers, not simply sheathing. Shimming and plumb positioning matter so the locks engage cleanly and the weatherstripping compresses evenly.
The sealant joint is not just aesthetic. A correctly sized backer rod and high-quality polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant create a long lasting, versatile seal that manages thermal expansion. Too little a bead and it tears under motion. Too big and it remedies badly. On coastal tasks, I never ever combine different metals without a barrier, and I constantly specify 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 integration with the water-resistive barrier are essential. If you count on sealant alone, water will discover its method. That wetness may not show up as a drip. It might rot a sill plate gradually, then betray itself as a buckling floor or a musty smell 2 cyclone seasons later.
I have absolutely nothing against properly designed shutters. Accordion shutters that are preserved and lubricated, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even removable panels stored thoroughly can safeguard homes successfully. They likewise assist in certain cases.
Second homes or seasonal rentals where budget plan is tight often lean on shutters to meet the Florida building regulations windows requirement for secured openings. On specialized openings like a lanai that is hardly ever used in summer, a tidy motorized roll-down can be affordable, especially if pairing with effect doors and windows somewhere else stresses the budget. For homeowners who plan to move within a year, shutters can be a short bridge to compliance before a sale.
But shutters bring trade-offs. They darken your house when deployed, and they require action at specifically the time you are managing insurance papers, gas cans, and family logistics. During Hurricane Irma, I watched a next-door neighbor try to mount 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, sometimes loosening fasteners gradually if not maintained.
For long-lasting owners who wish to set it and forget it, impact windows provide cyclone evidence windows coverage while protecting daylight and view. The benefit grows valuable once you have actually experienced one storm season with zero prep beyond locking the sash.
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 defined 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 obstruct a large portion of radiant heat and UV. UV blockage in laminated systems comes largely from the interlayer itself, which generally filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, decreasing fading of materials and floor covering. Add the low-E, and you curb the solar heat that drives your air conditioning crazy midafternoon.
I examine glass specs with 3 numbers: U-factor, SHGC, and VT. While U-factor matters more up north, it still helps here by reducing nighttime impact windows Florida heat flow and keeping the interior glass temperature PVB interlayer glass level closer to room temperature level, which lowers condensation threat. SHGC drives just how much solar heat gets in. VT influences how brilliant the interior feels. Balance is crucial. Some property owners want the crisp, clear appearance of greater VT, even if it indicates accepting a few degrees more heat in late afternoon, since their landscaping and roof overhangs already do some shading. Others prefer a stronger tint for glare control on waterfront lots that reflect severe light.
In practical terms, going from clear single-pane sliders to modern-day low-E laminated double-glazed systems can minimize peak solar gains by 30 to half on the most exposed sides. Couple that with tuned overhangs, light-colored exterior surfaces, and a properly sized variable-speed heating and cooling, and you begin to develop resilience. If the grid decreases and you change to a generator, a lower cooling load indicates a smaller sized generator and less gallons of fuel.
Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance, or NOA, is the document you request for. It details the authorized configurations, sizes, anchors, and pressures checked. It is inadequate to hear "these are Miami-Dade approved windows" in a display room. Confirm the NOA matches the specific design Laminated glass windows and choices you are purchasing, consisting of the glazing makeup and hardware. If you are in Broward or Miami-Dade, your permitting office will desire this paper trail.

Statewide, the Florida Item Approval system supplies FL numbers that show code compliance. In the remainder of the state outside the High Velocity Cyclone Zone, Florida building code windows can count on Florida Item Approval without Miami-Dade particular NOAs. Numerous top makers carry both. Where budget plans allow, I prefer NOA products even outside the zone due to the fact that the testing is stiffer.
NFRC labels deal with energy metrics. They won't tell you effect efficiency, however they reveal U-factor, SHGC, VT, and air leak. Go for air leakage at or listed below 0.3 cfm/ft TWO. Tighter is better for humidity control, but make certain your home still has balanced ventilation. Sealing the envelope and overlooking fresh air is a recipe for indoor air quality complaints.
Impact windows cost more in advance than shutters. There's no spin around that. Installed expenses differ with size, shape, surface, and access. On straightforward single-family homes, per-opening costs frequently 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 recoup value:
If you plan to own the residential or commercial property for five years or more, the mathematics frequently tilts in favor of impact windows, particularly when you factor the intangible of peace of mind. If you plan to sell within a year and require to show compliance quickly, shutters might make more short-term sense. Context matters.
I take notice of hardware and accessories. Multi-point locks on casements and awnings improve 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 sliding doors. Weep systems should be crafted to drain pipes heavy rainfall without letting wind-driven water blow back in. Ask to see a cutaway sample in the showroom.
Tint colors and reflectivity are more than style. Reflective movies can contravene of neighborhood watch or produce mirror-like glare toward surrounding residential or commercial properties. In seaside environments, extremely reflective glass can confuse birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Local pros understand which coverings balance performance with compliance.
Color stability is a huge deal. Dark bronze or black frames look fantastic on modern-day homes, but in Florida sun inexpensive surfaces chalk and fade. AAMA 2605-rated finishings provide the best color retention and chalk resistance. I specify them for seaside exposures whenever spending plans allow.
Historic districts often require profiles that simulate old wood sash sightlines. There are impact-rated windows that fit these requirements, however lead times lengthen and costs climb. Expect extra evaluation by architectural boards, and line up a specialist familiar 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 in between systems. If your building sits directly on Collins Avenue or faces a busy beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated alternatives. Work with structure management on staging and lift gain access to. Weekend work windows and limited parking can add days and dollars.
Large openings, like a 16-foot-wide slider, require special attention in design pressure, deflection, and running hardware. Not every unit that looks sturdy in a display room satisfies the wind loads on a ninth-floor veranda. Do not count on brochure maximum sizes. Utilize the NOA tables that represent your site's zone, favorable and unfavorable pressures, and mullion combinations if any.
The best jobs begin with a measured study and exposure analysis. You map each opening, note the substrate, and determine any framing irregularities or settlement fractures. During proposition, the contractor reveals you the NOA and the Florida Product Approval, lists anchor types, and describes how each opening will be flashed and sealed. They prepare 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 protected. They secure floorings, draw back window treatments, and cap sprinklers. Old frames come out with care to protect interior finishes. New units get dry-fit, shimmed, and anchored per the schedule. The crew 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 verify drain paths and seals. The inspector sees a cool jobsite, clear labels, and paperwork in order.
Six months later on, your windows still close with two fingers, locks bite efficiently, and there is no mystery rattle during thunderstorms. You did not need to call for a roller adjustment after the very first week. That is the standard.
Impact rating does not equal breakproof. Laminated glass can split under severe impacts, but it should 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 task. Replace the sash or IGU after the event.
Window movies do not transform non-impact windows into cyclone impact-resistant windows. They can add shatter resistance, but they do not alternative to a checked, anchored system. Your insurer and structure department will not count films as secured openings.
Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient effect windows minimize air leakage. That's great, but it increases the significance of an effectively sized a/c with excellent dehumidification. If your system is extra-large, the thermostat satisfies rapidly and fails to pull enough moisture from the air. Ask your a/c pro to check reasonable heat ratio, airflow, and run time. You desire constant, longer cycles, not brief bursts.
Maintenance is uncomplicated but not optional. Clean weep holes on sliders, wash salt spray from frames, and lube hardware every year with a silicone-based item that will not gum up in heat. Small habits extend lifespan.
There are legitimate reasons to mix services. A pair of hardly ever utilized garage windows can keep detachable panels to shave budget plan. A deep-set deck with very little sun exposure may do fine with accordion shutters if you prioritize other upgrades like a new roofing deck accessory or a fortified 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 obligation 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 want to find you have 29.
Impact windows are not only about surviving the huge one. They reshape daily living. The living-room stays cooler and quieter. The AC 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 hurricane threatens, your preparation list gets shorter. You lock the sashes, set storm mode on the alarm, and focus on people instead of panels.
For much of my clients, that intangible is the deciding element. They know storms will come. They also know life in South Florida is too great to live inside a fortress that just wakes up in August. Miami-Dade approved windows give 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 assessment. Match your direct exposures to develop pressures, pick the right laminated glass stack for wind and heat, choose frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and hire a crew that appreciates the load path. Done right, energy‑efficient impact windows deliver what shutters can not: protection that never ever requests a ladder and a better home every day of the year.