November 3, 2025

Hurricane-Proof Assurance: Selecting Miami-Dade Approved, Energy‑Efficient Effect 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 routine of transporting ladders to install panels. After twenty years specifying, setting up, and repairing structure envelopes from Secret Largo to Palm Beach, I have actually seen what holds up and what does not. When the goal is genuine defense with year-round comfort, Miami-Dade approved, energy‑efficient impact windows outperform shutters in manner ins which surpass storm day. They change how a house feels in August, how quiet 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 look at why numerous South Florida property owners are moving from shutters to typhoon impact-resistant windows, how to check out the standards behind "Miami-Dade authorized," what products matter, and how to get the installation right the very first time.

What "Miami-Dade Approved" actually means

Miami-Dade County's Item Control Division sets among the toughest standards in the country for developing elements exposed to windborne debris. Approval is not a marketing sticker label. It is earned through specific lab tests that simulate genuine typhoon conditions.

First comes large rocket effect. A 9-pound 2x4 is contended the glass at roughly 34 miles per hour. That simulates 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, thousands of pressurization and depressurization cycles that mimic fast wind gusts over hours. If the glass remains in the frame without letting the envelope breach, it passes. The distinction between "fulfills Florida building regulations windows" and "Miami-Dade authorized windows" frequently lives in these test thresholds. Miami-Dade is merely stiffer, particularly in High Speed Typhoon Zone requirements, which include Miami-Dade and Broward.

Wind ratings vary by opening size and design pressures, denoted as PSF worths. On ocean-facing properties or high-rises, I often specify units ranked at +60/ -80 PSF or greater. Inland or in more safeguarded exposures, ratings in the +45/ -60 PSF variety can be adequate, but you size and spec based on the website's wind map, developing height, and surrounding structures. A professional understands that a corner exposure at the second story demands different support than a sheltered window under a deep porch.

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

Hurricane shutters vs impact windows is not a one-to-one contrast. Shutters can satisfy code, and they're better than absolutely nothing. But they ask you to do work at the worst possible time. When a watch turns to a caution 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 live in location. You get continuous defense, 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: 2 panes of glass bonded by a resilient interlayer, typically PVB interlayer glass or SentryGlas. That interlayer damps sound. On tasks along hectic corridors like Biscayne Boulevard or near flight paths, I've determined interior sound drops in the 5 to 10 decibel variety, often more when coupled with insulated glass units.

Security enhances due to the fact that laminated glass withstands forced entry. A robber can shatter the external lite with a hammer, but the interlayer holds the shards. They fulfill a sticky, persistent membrane rather of a quick path inside. Insurance underwriters understand this, which is why policies often offer credits for impact doors and windows. In my tasks, premiums normally drop 10 to 25 percent, depending on the provider and how many openings are protected.

Energy performance is the third pillar. Energy-efficient impact windows with modern low-E impact glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while maintaining visible light. That means less air conditioning need, particularly on west and south direct exposures where the afternoon sun punishes interiors. In one Coral Gables retrofit, we replaced 1980s single-pane sliders with laminated low-E effect systems. Summer afternoon peak load come by roughly 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, 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 items are equal.

Most domestic cyclone windows use a PVB interlayer glass stack, frequently 0.030 to 0.090 inches thick in single or several plies. Thicker interlayers enhance impact resistance and sound control, but they include weight and cost. For oceanfront or high openings, you may see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and more powerful than PVB, permitting thinner areas to achieve higher design pressures. For noise-sensitive websites, acoustic PVB formulations fine-tune the polymer to much better absorb noise in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz range, where traffic and voices sit.

Tempered glass windows come up typically in discussions because 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 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 susceptible. The impact performance comes from laminated 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 finishings matter for convenience. A soft-coat low-E tuned for South Florida normally targets a solar heat gain coefficient in the 0.25 to 0.35 range while keeping noticeable light transmission around half or greater. Go too short on SHGC and the glass can look gray or green, particularly in larger openings. The sweet spot depends upon your façade orientation and shading. On east and west elevations, I often tighten SHGC and accept a slight tint to manage morning and afternoon blasts. On north elevations, I lean toward greater noticeable transmittance for daylighting.

Frames are the other half of the story. Aluminum frames dominate here because they manage big openings and will not swell. Thermal breaks and enhanced glazing gaskets have actually narrowed the energy space with vinyl. Premium vinyl impact frames, when enhanced appropriately, can carry out well for standard-sized openings and have much better insulating values, but I prevent them for extremely large sliders or high storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad units look beautiful in older Mediterranean Revival homes, but they demand careful upkeep and wise flashing. The Florida sun damages cheap vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum finishes quickly. Look for powder-coated finishes rated for seaside direct exposure, and demand composed service warranty details in salt-air environments.

The covert hero: installation 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 course is the crux. 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 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 just sheathing. Shimming and plumb positioning matter so the locks engage cleanly and the weatherstripping compresses evenly.

The sealant joint is not just aesthetic. An appropriately sized backer rod and top quality 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 seaside tasks, I never pair Boca Raton window installation experts dissimilar metals without a barrier, and I constantly 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 integration with the water-resistive barrier are important. If you depend on sealant alone, water will discover its method. That moisture might disappoint up as a drip. It may rot a sill plate slowly, then betray itself as a buckling flooring or a musty odor two hurricane 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 preserved and lubed, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even detachable panels saved carefully can safeguard homes successfully. They also help in certain cases.

Second homes or seasonal leasings where budget is tight in some cases lean on shutters to fulfill the Florida building code windows requirement for protected 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 somewhere else worries the budget plan. For house owners 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 the house when released, and they require action at specifically the time you are handling insurance coverage papers, gas cans, and household logistics. Throughout Typhoon Irma, I enjoyed a 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 immediate care waiting room. He made it through 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 give cyclone evidence windows protection while maintaining daylight and view. The convenience grows valuable once you've experienced one storm season with no preparation beyond locking the sash.

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

South Florida homes combat two battles: hidden load from humidity and sensible load from direct solar heat gain. Effect glass upgrades can help both if defined intelligently.

Low-E impact glass uses microscopically thin metallic layers to reflect infrared energy while letting visible light through. With the best coating stacks, you can obstruct a large portion of radiant heat and UV. UV clog in laminated systems comes mostly from the interlayer itself, which normally filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, reducing fading of fabrics and flooring. Include the low-E, and you curb the solar heat that drives your air conditioner crazy midafternoon.

I assess glass specs with 3 numbers: U-factor, SHGC, and VT. While U-factor matters more up north, it still assists here by reducing nighttime heat circulation and keeping the interior glass temperature level closer to space temperature, which lowers condensation risk. SHGC drives how much solar heat goes into. VT influences how bright the interior feels. Balance is essential. Some homeowners desire the crisp, clear appearance of greater VT, even if it implies accepting a couple of degrees more heat in late afternoon, because their landscaping and roofing system overhangs currently do some shading. Others prefer a more powerful tint for glare control on waterfront lots that show extreme light.

In practical terms, going from clear single-pane sliders to contemporary low-E laminated double-glazed units can minimize peak solar gains by 30 to half on the most exposed sides. Couple that with tuned overhangs, light-colored outside surfaces, and a correctly sized variable-speed a/c, and you begin to develop strength. If the grid goes down and you switch to a generator, a lower cooling load implies a smaller generator and fewer gallons of fuel.

Reading labels and approvals without getting lost in alphabet soup

Miami-Dade Notification of Approval, or NOA, is the file you ask for. It information the authorized setups, sizes, anchors, and pressures tested. It is insufficient to hear "these are Miami-Dade authorized windows" in a showroom. Confirm the NOA matches the precise model and choices you are buying, 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 count on Florida Item Approval without Miami-Dade particular NOAs. Numerous leading producers carry both. Where budget plans allow, I prefer NOA items even outside the zone because the testing is stiffer.

NFRC labels handle energy metrics. They will not tell you effect efficiency, however they show U-factor, SHGC, VT, and air leak. Aim for air leak at or below 0.3 cfm/ft TWO. Tighter is much better for humidity control, however make certain your home still has balanced ventilation. Sealing the envelope and disregarding 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 vary with size, shape, surface, and gain access to. On uncomplicated single-family homes, per-opening expenses frequently land in between 1,200 and 3,000 dollars for standard sizes. Large multi-panel sliders, customized arches, and coastal-grade finishes raise the numbers quickly.

Where you recover value:

  • Insurance credits add up, frequently 10 to 25 percent off premiums when all openings are protected.
  • Energy savings, generally 8 to 20 percent on yearly cooling expenses in older homes after a complete window upgrade paired with sealing and attic improvements.
  • Resale appeal, particularly in markets where buyers expect 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 assesses stronger.

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

Details that separate great systems from terrific ones

I take notice of hardware and devices. Multi-point locks on sashes and awnings improve seal compression and security. For sliders, robust tandem rollers in stainless real estates slide smoother and last longer on sandy outdoor patios. Look at the sill style on sliding doors. Weep systems need to be crafted to drain heavy rainfall without letting wind-driven water blow back in. Ask to see a cutaway sample in the showroom.

Tint colors and reflectivity are more than style. Reflective films can run afoul of neighborhood watch or produce mirror-like glare towards neighboring properties. In coastal ecosystems, highly reflective glass can confuse birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Local pros understand which finishings balance performance with compliance.

Color stability is a huge deal. Dark bronze or black frames look fantastic on contemporary homes, but in Florida sun inexpensive finishes chalk and fade. AAMA 2605-rated coatings provide the very best color retention and chalk resistance. I specify them for coastal direct exposures whenever budget plans allow.

Special cases: historical homes, condominiums, and challenging openings

Historic districts frequently need profiles that mimic old wood sash sightlines. There are impact-rated windows that fit these requirements, however lead times extend and costs climb. Anticipate additional review by architectural boards, and line up a specialist knowledgeable about these submissions.

Condos have another layer of governance. Associations often define a narrow list of authorized items for harmony. They also appreciate noise control between systems. If your structure sits directly on Collins Avenue or deals with a busy beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated choices. 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, need special attention in style pressure, deflection, and operating hardware. Not every unit that looks durable in a showroom satisfies the wind loads on a ninth-floor terrace. Do not rely on catalog optimum sizes. Utilize the NOA tables that represent your site's zone, favorable and negative pressures, and mullion combinations if any.

What a tidy job appears like from study to last inspection

The finest projects begin with a determined study and exposure analysis. You map each opening, note the substrate, and recognize any framing irregularities or settlement fractures. During proposal, the professional reveals you the NOA and the Florida Item Approval, lists anchor types, and explains how each opening will be flashed and sealed. They prepare for stucco or drywall repair work, not pretend no damage will occur.

On set up day, they eliminate one opening at a time to keep your house safe and secure. They secure floors, pull back window treatments, and cap sprinklers. Old frames bring out care to protect interior finishes. New systems get dry-fit, shimmed, and anchored per the schedule. The team checks squareness and diagonals before setting sealant. They picture anchors for the license file, especially if they will be hidden. After glazing, they water-test with Boca Raton impact window installation a controlled spray to confirm drain paths and seals. The inspector sees a cool jobsite, clear labels, and documentation in order.

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

Frequently misinterpreted points that cost house owners later

Impact rating does not equivalent breakproof. Laminated glass can crack under severe effects, but it should stay in the frame and hold together. After a storm that sends debris into the glass, you might see star fractures or spidering. The window did its task. Replace the sash or IGU after the event.

Window films do not transform non-impact windows into typhoon impact-resistant windows. They can add shatter resistance, however they do not substitute for a checked, anchored system. Your insurance provider and building department will not count films as protected openings.

Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient effect windows reduce air leak. That's great, however it increases the value of a correctly sized heating and cooling 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 check sensible heat ratio, air flow, and run time. You want consistent, longer cycles, not brief bursts.

Maintenance is straightforward however not optional. Tidy weep holes on sliders, wash salt spray from frames, and lube hardware each year with a silicone-based product that will not gum up in heat. Little routines extend lifespan.

When shutters still belong in the conversation

There are legitimate reasons to blend solutions. A set of rarely used garage windows can keep detachable panels to shave budget. A deep-set porch with very little sun direct exposure may do great with accordion shutters if you prioritize other upgrades like a brand-new roofing system deck accessory or a prepared garage door. Shutters can likewise secure outdoor kitchens or cabana openings where grease and smoke would age elegant hardware prematurely.

If you choose shutters, invest in quality. Stainless fasteners, smooth tracks, and motors with manual bypasses for roll-downs make a distinction. Assign responsibility for deployment and practice once beyond a storm watch. Inventory your hardware. The day you need 32 wing nuts is not the early morning you want to discover you have 29.

The bottom line: comfort 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 AC cycles calmly instead of racing at 4 p.m. You sleep without freight trains of wind noise when a squall line passes at 2 a.m. When a cyclone threatens, your preparation list gets much shorter. You lock the sashes, set storm mode on the alarm, and focus on individuals Boca Raton residential window installation instead of panels.

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

If you are weighing the option, start with a site-specific assessment. Match your direct exposures to create pressures, pick the right laminated glass stack for wind and heat, choose frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and work with a team that respects the load course. Done right, energy‑efficient effect windows provide what shutters can not: security that never ever requests 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.