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 neighbors track tropical waves, the pre-storm rush to stock up, and the routine of carrying ladders to mount panels. After two decades defining, setting up, and repairing structure envelopes from Key Largo to Palm Beach, I've seen what holds up and what doesn't. When the goal is real security with year-round comfort, Miami-Dade authorized, energy‑efficient impact windows surpass shutters in manner ins which go beyond storm day. They change how a home 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 property owners are moving from shutters to typhoon impact-resistant windows, how to check out the standards behind "Miami-Dade approved," what materials matter, and how to get the setup right the very first time.
Miami-Dade County's Item Control Division sets one of the hardest standards in the country for building elements exposed to windborne particles. Approval is not a marketing sticker label. It is earned through particular laboratory tests that mimic real cyclone conditions.
First comes large rocket 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 effect, the exact same unit deals with cyclic pressure loading, thousands of 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 between "meets Florida building code windows" and "Miami-Dade authorized windows" often resides in these test limits. Miami-Dade is simply stiffer, particularly in High Speed Hurricane Zone requirements, which include Miami-Dade and Broward.
Wind scores vary by opening size and style pressures, represented as PSF values. On ocean-facing homes or high-rises, I frequently define systems rated at +60/ -80 PSF or higher. Inland or in more protected exposures, scores in the +45/ -60 PSF range can be adequate, however you size and specification based on the site's wind map, developing height, and surrounding structures. An expert understands that a corner direct exposure at the second story demands various reinforcement than a sheltered window under a deep porch.
Hurricane shutters vs effect windows is not a one-to-one comparison. Shutters can meet code, and they're 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 projection track tightens, the last thing you want is a ladder, a dead cordless drill, and a missing wing nut.
Impact windows reside in place. You get constant 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 benefit. Laminated effect glass is basically a sandwich: 2 panes of glass bonded by a resilient interlayer, usually PVB interlayer glass or SentryGlas. That interlayer damps noise. On jobs along hectic passages like Biscayne home hurricane protection Boulevard or near flight courses, I've determined interior sound drops in the 5 to 10 decibel variety, in some cases more when paired with insulated glass units.
Security improves since laminated glass withstands required entry. A robber can shatter the external lite with a hammer, but the interlayer holds the shards. They satisfy a sticky, stubborn membrane instead of a quick path inside. Insurance coverage underwriters understand this, which is why policies often provide credits for impact windows and doors. In my jobs, premiums typically drop 10 to 25 percent, depending on the carrier and the number of openings are protected.
Energy performance is the 3rd pillar. Energy-efficient effect windows with contemporary low-E effect glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while maintaining noticeable light. That indicates less air conditioning demand, especially on west and south exposures where the afternoon sun penalizes interiors. In one Coral Gables retrofit, we changed 1980s single-pane sliders with laminated low-E effect systems. Summertime afternoon peak load stopped by roughly a lots of cooling, and the home's annual electrical power usage fell in between 12 and 18 percent. Outcomes vary with shading, attic insulation, and heating and cooling efficiency, however the direction is consistent.
Laminated impact glass is the heart of the system, however not all laminated products 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, however they include weight and expense. For oceanfront or tall openings, you may see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and more powerful than PVB, allowing thinner areas to achieve greater style pressures. For noise-sensitive sites, acoustic PVB formulations fine-tune the polymer to much better absorb sound in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz variety, where traffic and voices sit.
Tempered glass windows turn up frequently in conversations because tempered glass is more powerful in bending than annealed glass. That holds true, and tempered lites are typically utilized as the outer or inner ply in an effect system. However tempered alone is not impact-resistant in the typhoon sense. When it stops working, it explodes into small cubes and falls out of the frame, which leaves the opening susceptible. The impact efficiency originates from laminated building, not tempering by itself. Many systems use a tempered outer lite laminated to a hardened inner lite, or both tempered, however constantly bonded through a PVB or ionoplast interlayer.
Low-E coatings matter for convenience. A soft-coat low-E tuned for South Florida generally 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, especially in larger openings. The sweet spot depends upon your exterior orientation and shading. On east and west elevations, I typically tighten SHGC and accept a small tint to handle morning and afternoon blasts. On north elevations, I favor greater noticeable transmittance for daylighting.
Frames are the other half of the story. Aluminum frames control here because they deal with big openings and will not swell. Thermal breaks and improved glazing gaskets have actually narrowed the energy space with vinyl. High-quality vinyl impact frames, when reinforced correctly, can carry out well for standard-sized openings and have better insulating worths, but I avoid them for really wide sliders or tall storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad units look gorgeous in older Mediterranean Revival homes, but they demand mindful upkeep and wise flashing. The Florida sun destroys inexpensive vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum surfaces quickly. Search for powder-coated surfaces ranked for seaside exposure, and demand written service warranty information in salt-air environments.
Window setup can make or break efficiency. A costly system set up like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's tension test. The load course is the crux. Impact forces have to take a trip 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, you want stainless or hot-dipped galvanized anchors embedded into solid material. Hollow cells should be grouted or you need to hit the bond beam. Tapcons in soft, unfilled block are a failure waiting to happen. In wood-framed homes, structural screws should 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 simply visual. An appropriately sized backer rod and high-quality polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant produce a long lasting, flexible seal that handles thermal growth. Too little a bead and it tears under movement. Too big and it treatments badly. On seaside 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 combination with the water-resistive barrier are crucial. If you count on sealant alone, water will find its method. That wetness may disappoint up as a drip. It might rot a sill plate slowly, then betray itself as a buckling flooring or a musty smell 2 typhoon seasons later.
I have nothing against well-designed shutters. Accordion shutters that are kept and oiled, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even removable panels saved thoroughly can protect homes effectively. They likewise help in specific cases.
Second homes or seasonal rentals where budget plan is tight in some cases lean on shutters to satisfy the Florida building regulations windows requirement for secured openings. On specialized openings like a lanai that is hardly ever utilized in summer, a tidy motorized roll-down can be sensible, especially if coupling with effect doors and windows in other places stresses the budget plan. For property owners who prepare 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 need action at precisely the time you are juggling insurance papers, gas cans, and household logistics. During Typhoon Irma, I viewed a next-door neighbor try to install steel panels hours before landfall. The ladder sank in saturated soil, a panel slipped, and we spent the next hour in the urgent care waiting space. He made it through with stitches. His living room window did not. Shutters also rattle and can vibrate under sustained winds, sometimes loosening fasteners gradually if not maintained.
For long-term owners who want to set it and forget it, impact windows provide typhoon proof windows coverage while maintaining daytime and view. The benefit grows important once you've experienced one storm season with no prep beyond locking the sash.
South Florida homes battle two battles: latent load from humidity and reasonable load from direct solar heat gain. Effect glass upgrades can assist both if defined intelligently.
Low-E effect glass uses microscopically thin metal layers to reflect infrared energy while letting visible light through. With the right coating stacks, you can block a large portion of radiant heat and UV. UV blockage in laminated units comes mostly from the interlayer itself, which usually filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, minimizing fading of fabrics and floor covering. Include the low-E, and you suppress the solar heat that drives your AC crazy midafternoon.
I evaluate glass specifications with three numbers: U-factor, SHGC, and VT. While U-factor matters more up north, it still helps here by reducing nighttime heat flow and keeping the interior glass temperature level closer to room temperature, which lowers condensation risk. SHGC drives just how much solar heat goes into. VT influences how brilliant the interior feels. Balance is essential. Some house owners desire the crisp, clear appearance of higher VT, even if it implies accepting a couple of degrees more heat in late afternoon, because their landscaping and roofing overhangs already do some shading. Others choose a more powerful tint for glare control on waterside lots that show harsh light.
In useful terms, going from clear single-pane sliders to contemporary low-E laminated double-glazed systems can lower peak solar gains by 30 to half on the most exposed sides. Couple that with tuned overhangs, light-colored outside surfaces, and an appropriately sized variable-speed HVAC, and you begin to develop strength. If the grid decreases and you change to a generator, a lower cooling load indicates a smaller generator and less gallons of fuel.
Miami-Dade Notification of Acceptance, or NOA, is the file you request for. It information the authorized setups, sizes, anchors, and pressures evaluated. It is inadequate to hear "these are Miami-Dade authorized windows" in a display room. Confirm the NOA matches the exact design and options you are purchasing, consisting of the glazing makeup and hardware. If you are in Broward or Miami-Dade, your allowing workplace will want this paper trail.
Statewide, the Florida Item Approval system offers FL numbers that reveal code compliance. In the rest of the state outside the High Velocity Typhoon Zone, Florida building regulations windows can depend on Florida Product Approval without Miami-Dade specific NOAs. Numerous leading producers carry both. Where budget plans enable, I choose NOA items even outside the zone because the testing is stiffer.
NFRC labels manage energy metrics. They will not tell you impact efficiency, but they show U-factor, SHGC, VT, and air leak. Go for air leak at or listed below 0.3 cfm/ft TWO. Tighter is better for humidity control, however make certain your home still has balanced ventilation. Sealing the envelope and ignoring fresh air is a recipe for indoor air quality complaints.
Impact windows cost more upfront than shutters. There's no spin around that. Set up expenses differ with size, shape, finish, and gain access to. On uncomplicated single-family homes, per-opening costs frequently land between 1,200 and 3,000 dollars for basic sizes. Big multi-panel sliders, custom-made arches, and coastal-grade surfaces raise the numbers quickly.
Where you recoup value:
If you prepare to own the property for 5 years or more, the math often tilts in favor of effect windows, particularly when you factor the intangible of assurance. If you plan to sell within a year and require to show compliance rapidly, shutters may make more short-term sense. Context matters.
I focus on hardware and devices. Multi-point locks on sashes and awnings improve seal compression and security. For sliders, robust tandem rollers in stainless real estates move smoother and last longer on sandy outdoor patios. Look at the sill design on moving doors. Weep systems need to be engineered 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 films can contravene of neighborhood associations or produce mirror-like glare toward surrounding homes. In coastal environments, highly reflective glass can puzzle birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Regional pros understand which coverings balance performance with compliance.
Color stability is a huge deal. Dark bronze or black frames look fantastic on modern homes, however in Florida sun low-cost surfaces chalk and fade. AAMA 2605-rated coatings offer the very best color retention and chalk resistance. I define them for seaside exposures whenever budgets allow.
Historic districts often require profiles that imitate old wood sash sightlines. There are impact-rated windows that fit these requirements, however lead times extend and costs climb. Expect extra evaluation by architectural boards, and line up a contractor familiar with these submissions.
Condos have another layer of governance. Associations in some cases define a narrow list of approved products for harmony. They also care about sound control between systems. If your structure sits straight on Collins Avenue or deals with a hectic beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated alternatives. Deal with structure management on staging and lift access. Weekend work windows and minimal parking can add days and dollars.
Large openings, like a 16-foot-wide slider, need unique attention in style pressure, deflection, and operating hardware. Not every system that looks sturdy in a showroom satisfies the wind loads on a ninth-floor balcony. Do not depend on catalog optimum sizes. Utilize the NOA tables that represent your site's zone, favorable and unfavorable pressures, and mullion mixes if any.
The best projects begin with a determined survey and exposure analysis. You map each opening, keep in mind the substrate, and identify any framing irregularities or settlement cracks. Throughout proposal, the contractor shows you the NOA and the Florida Item Approval, notes anchor types, and discusses 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 the house safe and secure. They protect floors, pull back window treatments, and cap sprinklers. Old frames come out with care to maintain interior surfaces. 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 authorization file, specifically if they will be concealed. After glazing, they water-test with a regulated spray to validate drainage courses and seals. The inspector sees a neat jobsite, clear labels, and paperwork in order.
Six months later on, your windows still close with two fingers, locks bite smoothly, and there is no mystery rattle throughout thunderstorms. You did not need to call for a roller change after the very first week. That is the standard.
Impact rating does not equivalent breakproof. Laminated glass can split under serious effects, but it needs to stay in the frame and hold together. After a storm that sends particles into the glass, you may see star cracks or spidering. The window did its task. Change the sash or IGU after the event.
Window movies do not transform non-impact windows into cyclone impact-resistant windows. They can include shatter resistance, however they do not alternative to an evaluated, anchored system. Your insurance provider and structure department will not count movies as secured openings.
Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient impact windows minimize air leakage. That's terrific, but it increases the importance of an appropriately sized HVAC with good dehumidification. If your system is large, the thermostat pleases rapidly and stops working to pull enough moisture from the air. Ask your a/c pro to examine practical heat ratio, airflow, and run time. You want constant, longer cycles, not brief bursts.
Maintenance is straightforward however not optional. Tidy weep holes on sliders, wash salt spray from frames, and lubricate hardware annually with a silicone-based item that will not gum up in heat. Little habits extend lifespan.
There are genuine reasons to mix solutions. A pair of hardly ever used garage windows can keep detachable panels to shave spending plan. A deep-set deck with very little sun exposure might do great with accordion shutters if you prioritize other upgrades like a new roof deck attachment or a prepared garage door. Shutters can also protect outside kitchen areas or cabana openings where grease and smoke would age fancy hardware prematurely.
If you pick shutters, invest in quality. Stainless fasteners, smooth tracks, and motors with manual bypasses for roll-downs make a distinction. Designate duty for deployment and practice as soon as 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.
Impact windows are not just about surviving the big one. They improve daily living. The living-room remains cooler and quieter. The air conditioning 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 focus on individuals rather than panels.
For a lot of my clients, that intangible is the deciding aspect. They know storms will come. They also know life in South Florida is too excellent to live inside a fortress that just gets up in August. Miami-Dade approved windows offer you both: a clear view of Biscayne Bay on a breezy February early morning and quiet self-confidence when the spaghetti models point our way in September.
If you are weighing the choice, start with a site-specific evaluation. Match your exposures to design pressures, select the best laminated glass stack for wind and heat, select frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and work with a crew that respects the load path. Done right, energy‑efficient impact windows deliver what shutters can not: security that never ever requests for a ladder and a better home every day of the year.