November 3, 2025

Hurricane-Proof Assurance: Choosing 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 method 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 Boca Raton hurricane window installation fixing building envelopes from Key Largo to Palm Beach, I've seen what holds up and what does not. When the goal is real defense with year-round comfort, Miami-Dade authorized, energy‑efficient effect windows outshine shutters in ways that go beyond storm day. They change how a house feels in August, how peaceful your living room stays on a Saturday night, and how positive you are when a storm line spins up much faster than predicted.

This is a practical take a look at why many South Florida homeowners are moving from shutters to cyclone impact-resistant windows, how to read the requirements behind "Miami-Dade authorized," what products matter, and how to get the installation right the first time.

What "Miami-Dade Approved" in fact means

Miami-Dade County's Product Control Department sets among the toughest criteria in the nation for developing elements exposed to windborne debris. Approval is not a marketing sticker hurricane proof windows in Boca Raton label. It is made through particular laboratory tests that replicate genuine typhoon conditions.

First comes big missile effect. 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 very same system faces cyclic pressure loading, countless pressurization and depressurization cycles that imitate fast wind gusts over hours. If the glass remains in the frame without letting the envelope breach, it passes. The difference in between "fulfills Florida building regulations windows" and "Miami-Dade authorized windows" often lives in these test limits. Miami-Dade is merely stiffer, particularly in High Speed Hurricane Zone requirements, that include Miami-Dade and Broward.

Wind rankings differ by opening size and design pressures, denoted as PSF values. 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 direct exposures, scores in the +45/ -60 PSF variety can be adequate, however you size and specification based on the site's wind map, building height, and surrounding structures. A professional knows that a corner direct exposure at the 2nd story demands different support than a sheltered window under a deep porch.

Why effect windows change the everyday experience, not simply storm season

Hurricane shutters vs impact windows is not a one-to-one comparison. Shutters can meet code, and they're much better than absolutely nothing. However they ask you to do work at the worst possible time. When a watch turns to a warning and the forecast track tightens up, the last thing you want is a ladder, a dead cordless drill, and a missing wing nut.

Impact windows reside in location. You get constant defense, even if a pop-up storm surprises you while you're stuck on United States 1. You likewise get benefits every day Boca Raton window installation costs of the year.

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

Security enhances due to the fact that 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, stubborn membrane rather of a fast course inside. Insurance coverage underwriters understand this, which is why policies frequently use credits for effect windows and doors. In my tasks, premiums normally drop 10 to 25 percent, depending on the provider and the number of openings are protected.

Energy efficiency is the third pillar. Energy-efficient effect windows with contemporary low-E effect glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while maintaining visible light. That means less a/c need, specifically on west and south exposures where the afternoon sun punishes interiors. In one Coral Gables retrofit, we replaced 1980s single-pane sliders with laminated low-E impact systems. Summer afternoon peak load stopped by roughly a ton of cooling, and the home's annual electrical energy usage fell in between 12 and 18 percent. Outcomes differ with shading, attic insulation, and a/c effectiveness, but the direction is consistent.

Material options that matter: glass, interlayers, and frames

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

Most property cyclone windows use a PVB interlayer glass stack, commonly 0.030 to 0.090 inches thick in single or numerous plies. Thicker interlayers improve impact resistance and sound control, but they add weight and expense. For oceanfront or tall openings, you may see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and stronger than PVB, permitting thinner sections to attain higher style pressures. For noise-sensitive sites, acoustic PVB formulas fine-tune the polymer to better soak up noise in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz range, where traffic and voices sit.

Tempered glass windows show up typically in conversations since tempered glass is stronger in flexing than annealed glass. That's true, and tempered lites are frequently utilized as the external or inner ply in an impact unit. However tempered alone is not impact-resistant in the typhoon sense. When it stops working, it explodes into little cubes and falls out of the frame, which leaves the opening susceptible. The impact performance comes from laminated building and construction, not tempering by itself. Numerous systems use a tempered buy hurricane proof windows Boca Raton external lite laminated to an annealed inner lite, or both tempered, but constantly bonded through a PVB or ionoplast interlayer.

Low-E finishes 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 visible light transmission around 50 percent or higher. Go too low on SHGC and the glass can look gray or green, specifically in larger openings. The sweet spot depends upon your façade orientation and shading. On east and west elevations, I typically tighten SHGC and accept a small tint to handle early 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 since they handle large openings and won't swell. Thermal breaks and improved glazing gaskets have actually narrowed the energy space with vinyl. Top quality vinyl effect frames, when reinforced effectively, can perform well for standard-sized openings and have much better insulating worths, but I avoid them for really large sliders or tall storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad systems look gorgeous in older Mediterranean Revival homes, but they demand cautious upkeep and clever flashing. The Florida sun ruins cheap vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum finishes quickly. Search for powder-coated finishes rated for coastal exposure, and demand written service warranty information in salt-air environments.

The surprise hero: installation that respects 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 stress test. The load course 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 construction, you want stainless or hot-dipped galvanized anchors embedded into solid material. Hollow cells need to 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 must bite into solid trimmers, not simply sheathing. Shimming and plumb alignment matter so the locks engage easily and the weatherstripping compresses evenly.

The sealant joint is not just aesthetic. An appropriately sized backer rod and high-quality polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant create a long lasting, flexible seal that deals with thermal expansion. Too small a bead and it tears under motion. Too big and it cures poorly. On seaside jobs, I never pair dissimilar 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 rely on sealant alone, water will discover its way in. That wetness may disappoint up as a drip. It may rot a sill plate gradually, then betray itself as a buckling floor or a moldy smell two typhoon seasons later.

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

I have absolutely nothing versus properly designed shutters. Accordion shutters that are preserved and lubed, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even removable panels kept thoroughly can protect homes effectively. They also assist in certain cases.

Second homes or seasonal rentals where budget is tight sometimes lean on shutters to fulfill the Florida building regulations windows requirement for protected openings. On specialized openings like a lanai that is seldom utilized in summer, a tidy motorized roll-down can be reasonable, especially if coupling with effect doors and windows somewhere else stresses the budget 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 house when released, and they require action at precisely the time you are handling insurance papers, gas cans, and household logistics. Throughout Hurricane Irma, I enjoyed a next-door neighbor try to mount 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, in some cases loosening up fasteners over time if not maintained.

For long-lasting owners who wish to set it and forget it, effect windows offer typhoon proof windows coverage while maintaining daytime and view. The benefit grows valuable once you have actually experienced one storm season with zero preparation beyond locking the sash.

The energy story: how glass requirements translate to comfort and bills

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

Low-E effect glass uses microscopically thin metal layers to reflect infrared energy while letting noticeable light through. With the right finishing stacks, you can obstruct a large part of radiant heat and UV. UV clog in laminated units comes mostly from the interlayer itself, which usually filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, lowering fading of fabrics and flooring. Add the low-E, and you curb the solar heat that drives your air conditioning insane midafternoon.

I examine glass specs with three numbers: U-factor, SHGC, and VT. While U-factor matters more up north, it still assists here by decreasing nighttime heat circulation and keeping the interior glass temperature closer to space temperature level, which decreases condensation danger. SHGC drives just how much solar heat enters. VT affects how intense the interior feels. Balance is essential. Some property owners want the crisp, clear look of greater VT, even if it suggests accepting a couple of degrees more heat in late afternoon, because their landscaping and roofing overhangs currently do some shading. Others choose a stronger tint for glare control on waterfront lots that show severe light.

In practical terms, going from clear single-pane sliders to modern low-E laminated double-glazed systems can reduce peak solar gains by 30 to half on the most exposed sides. Couple that with tuned overhangs, light-colored outside finishes, and an effectively sized variable-speed heating and cooling, and you begin to develop durability. If the grid goes down and you change to a generator, a lower cooling load means a smaller sized 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 for. It details the approved configurations, sizes, anchors, and pressures checked. It is not enough to hear "these are Miami-Dade approved windows" in a showroom. Verify the NOA matches the specific design and alternatives you are purchasing, consisting of the glazing makeup and hardware. If you are in Broward or Miami-Dade, your permitting workplace will want this paper trail.

Statewide, the Florida Item Approval system supplies FL numbers that reveal code compliance. In the remainder of the state outside the High Velocity Hurricane Zone, Florida building code windows can rely on Florida Product Approval without Miami-Dade particular NOAs. Many top manufacturers bring both. Where spending residential hurricane proof windows plans allow, 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, however they show U-factor, SHGC, VT, and air leakage. Aim for air leakage at or below 0.3 cfm/ft TWO. Tighter is much better for humidity control, but ensure your home still has actually balanced ventilation. Sealing the envelope and neglecting fresh air is a recipe for indoor air quality complaints.

Dollars and sense: what to expect on expense, 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 typically land in between 1,200 and 3,000 dollars for basic sizes. Big multi-panel sliders, custom arches, and coastal-grade finishes raise the numbers quickly.

Where you recoup value:

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

If you plan to own the home for 5 years or more, the math typically tilts in favor of effect windows, especially when you factor the intangible of comfort. If you prepare to sell within a year and require to show compliance rapidly, shutters may make more short-term sense. Context matters.

Details that separate excellent systems from terrific ones

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 real estates slide smoother and last longer on sandy patios. Take a look at the sill style on moving doors. Weep systems need to be engineered 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 fashion. Reflective movies can contravene of neighborhood watch or produce mirror-like glare towards surrounding properties. In seaside environments, extremely reflective glass can puzzle birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Regional pros understand which coverings balance performance with compliance.

Color stability is a big offer. Dark bronze or black frames look great on modern-day homes, however in Florida sun low-cost finishes chalk and fade. AAMA 2605-rated coatings supply the best color retention and chalk resistance. I define them for seaside exposures whenever budget plans allow.

Special cases: historical homes, condominiums, and challenging openings

Historic districts typically require profiles that mimic old wood sash sightlines. There are impact-rated windows that fit these requirements, but lead times extend and costs climb. Anticipate additional review by architectural boards, and line up a professional acquainted with these submissions.

Condos have another layer of governance. Associations sometimes define a narrow list of approved items for uniformity. They also appreciate noise control between systems. If your structure sits directly on Collins Avenue or faces a hectic beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated options. Deal with building 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 unique attention in design pressure, deflection, and operating hardware. Not every unit that looks strong in a display room satisfies the wind loads on a ninth-floor balcony. Do not rely on catalog optimum sizes. Use the NOA tables that represent your site's zone, positive and negative pressures, and mullion mixes if any.

What a tidy task looks like from study to last inspection

The best jobs begin with a measured study and direct exposure analysis. You map each opening, keep in mind the substrate, and determine any framing irregularities or settlement fractures. Throughout proposal, the specialist shows you the NOA and the Florida Product Approval, notes anchor types, and explains how each opening will be flashed and sealed. They prepare for stucco or drywall repairs, not pretend no damage will occur.

On set up day, they eliminate one opening at a time to keep your home safe. They secure floors, pull back window treatments, and cap sprinklers. Old frames bring out care to maintain interior finishes. New systems 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 hidden. After glazing, they water-test with a regulated spray to confirm drain paths and seals. The inspector sees a neat jobsite, clear labels, and documents in order.

Six months later, your windows still close with two fingers, locks bite efficiently, and there is no mystery rattle during thunderstorms. You did not need to require a roller modification after the very first week. That is the standard.

Frequently misinterpreted points that cost house owners later

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

Window movies do not convert non-impact windows into hurricane impact-resistant windows. They can include shatter resistance, but they do not substitute for an evaluated, anchored system. Your insurance company and building department will not count movies as safeguarded openings.

Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient impact windows decrease air leak. That's terrific, however it increases the significance of an effectively sized a/c with excellent dehumidification. If your system is oversized, the thermostat satisfies quickly and stops working to pull enough moisture from the air. Ask your a/c pro to inspect practical heat ratio, airflow, and run time. You want stable, longer cycles, not brief bursts.

Maintenance is simple however not optional. Clean weep holes on sliders, wash salt spray from frames, and oil 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 reasons to blend services. A pair of rarely used garage windows can keep removable panels to shave spending plan. A deep-set patio with minimal sun direct exposure may do fine with accordion shutters if you prioritize other upgrades like a brand-new roof deck attachment or a fortified garage door. Shutters can likewise secure outdoor kitchen areas or cabana openings where grease and smoke would age fancy hardware prematurely.

If you pick shutters, buy quality. Stainless fasteners, smooth tracks, and motors with handbook bypasses for roll-downs make a distinction. Designate duty for deployment and practice once outside of a storm watch. Inventory your hardware. The day you require 32 wing nuts is not the morning you want to discover you have 29.

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

Impact windows are not only about surviving the big one. They improve daily living. The living room stays cooler and quieter. The AC cycles calmly rather 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 shorter. You lock the sashes, set storm mode on the alarm, and concentrate on individuals rather than panels.

For a number of my customers, that intangible is the deciding aspect. They understand storms will come. They likewise know life in South Florida is too excellent to live inside a fortress that only wakes up in August. Miami-Dade approved windows provide you both: a clear view of Biscayne Bay on a breezy February morning and quiet confidence when the spaghetti models point our way in September.

If you are weighing the option, begin with a site-specific assessment. Match your direct exposures to create pressures, choose the best laminated glass stack for wind and heat, select 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: defense that never requests 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.