October 18, 2025

Hurricane-Proof Comfort: Picking 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 method next-door neighbors track tropical waves, the pre-storm rush to stockpile, and the routine of hauling ladders to mount panels. After two decades specifying, setting up, and fixing structure envelopes from Secret Largo to Palm Beach, I've seen what holds up and what does not. When the goal is genuine protection with year-round comfort, Miami-Dade authorized, energy‑efficient effect windows outperform shutters in manner ins which exceed storm day. They alter how a home feels in August, how quiet your living-room remains on a Saturday night, and how confident you are when a storm line spins up faster than predicted.

This is a practical look at why many South Florida homeowners are moving from shutters to typhoon impact-resistant windows, how to check out the requirements behind "Miami-Dade authorized," what materials matter, and how to get the setup right the very first time.

What "Miami-Dade Approved" in fact means

Miami-Dade County's Product Control Division sets among the hardest criteria in the country for constructing elements exposed to windborne particles. Approval is not a marketing sticker label. It is made through specific lab tests that mimic real hurricane 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 simulate quick wind gusts over hours. If the glass stays in the frame without letting the envelope breach, it passes. The difference between "meets Florida building code windows" and "Miami-Dade approved windows" typically lives in these test limits. Miami-Dade is just stiffer, particularly in High Speed Cyclone Zone requirements, that include Miami-Dade and Broward.

Wind rankings vary by opening size and style pressures, denoted as PSF values. On ocean-facing residential or commercial properties or high-rises, I frequently define units rated at +60/ -80 PSF or greater. Inland or in more safeguarded direct exposures, rankings in the +45/ -60 PSF variety can suffice, however you size and spec based upon the website's wind map, constructing height, and surrounding structures. A professional knows that a corner direct exposure at the 2nd story needs various support than a protected window under a deep porch.

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

Hurricane shutters vs impact windows is not a one-to-one contrast. Shutters can stormproof windows and doors fulfill code, and they're better than absolutely nothing. But they ask you to do operate at the worst possible time. When a watch turns to a caution and the projection track tightens up, 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 protection, 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 benefit. Laminated impact glass is basically a sandwich: two panes of glass bonded by a resilient interlayer, generally PVB interlayer glass or SentryGlas. That interlayer damps noise. On tasks along busy corridors like Biscayne Boulevard or near flight paths, I have actually measured interior noise drops in the 5 to 10 decibel range, sometimes more when paired with insulated glass units.

Security improves since laminated glass withstands forced entry. A robber can shatter the external lite with a hammer, but the interlayer holds the fragments. They meet a sticky, persistent membrane rather of a quick course inside. Insurance coverage underwriters understand this, which is why policies frequently offer credits for effect 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 impact windows with modern low-E effect glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while protecting visible light. That indicates less a/c need, specifically on west and south direct exposures where the afternoon sun penalizes interiors. In one Coral Gables retrofit, we replaced 1980s single-pane sliders with laminated low-E impact systems. Summertime afternoon peak load dropped by approximately 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 HVAC performance, however the direction is consistent.

Material choices that matter: glass, interlayers, and frames

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

Most domestic cyclone windows use a PVB interlayer glass stack, commonly 0.030 to 0.090 inches thick in single or several plies. Thicker interlayers enhance effect resistance and sound control, however they add weight and cost. For oceanfront or tall openings, you may see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and more powerful than PVB, allowing thinner sections to accomplish higher style pressures. For noise-sensitive websites, acoustic PVB formulas fine-tune the polymer to much better take in sound in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz range, where traffic and voices sit.

Tempered glass windows come up frequently in discussions since tempered glass is more powerful in bending than annealed glass. That's true, and tempered lites are commonly utilized as the outer or inner ply in an effect system. However tempered alone is not impact-resistant in the cyclone sense. When it fails, it blows up into little cubes and falls out of the frame, which leaves the opening vulnerable. The impact efficiency originates from laminated building, not tempering by itself. Numerous systems utilize a tempered external lite laminated to a hardened inner lite, or both tempered, but always bonded through a PVB or ionoplast interlayer.

Low-E coverings matter for convenience. A soft-coat low-E tuned for South Florida generally targets a solar heat gain coefficient in the 0.25 to 0.35 range while keeping noticeable light transmission around 50 percent or greater. Go too low on SHGC and the glass can look gray or green, especially in bigger openings. The sweet area depends upon your exterior orientation and shading. On east and west elevations, I typically tighten up SHGC and accept a small tint to manage morning and afternoon blasts. On north elevations, I favor greater visible transmittance for daylighting.

Frames are the other half of the story. Aluminum frames dominate here due to the fact that they manage big openings and will not swell. Thermal breaks and enhanced glazing gaskets have actually narrowed the energy gap with vinyl. Top quality vinyl effect frames, when enhanced appropriately, can carry out well for standard-sized openings and have better insulating worths, however I prevent them for extremely large sliders or high storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad units look gorgeous in older Mediterranean Revival homes, but they demand mindful maintenance and smart flashing. The Florida sun damages low-cost vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum finishes rapidly. Look for powder-coated surfaces ranked for seaside direct exposure, and request composed service warranty information in salt-air environments.

The surprise hero: setup that appreciates the load path

Window setup can make or break efficiency. A pricey system installed like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's tension test. The load course is the crux. Effect forces need to take a trip from the glass through the frame, to the anchors, into the substrate, and then into the structure's framing or masonry.

In concrete block building and construction, you want stainless or hot-dipped galvanized anchors embedded into solid product. Hollow cells should be grouted or you require to hit the bond beam. Tapcons in soft, unfilled block are a failure waiting to occur. In wood-framed homes, structural screws need to bite into strong trimmers, not simply sheathing. Shimming and plumb alignment matter so the locks engage cleanly and the weatherstripping compresses evenly.

The sealant joint is not simply visual. An appropriately sized backer rod and top quality polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant develop a durable, versatile seal that deals with thermal expansion. Too little a bead and it tears under motion. Too big and it remedies poorly. On seaside tasks, I never combine different metals without a barrier, and I always specify 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 rely on sealant alone, water will find its way in. That wetness may not show up as a drip. It might rot a sill plate slowly, then betray itself as a buckling flooring or a moldy smell two typhoon seasons later.

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

I have absolutely nothing versus well-designed shutters. Accordion shutters that are kept and lubricated, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even removable panels saved thoroughly can secure homes effectively. They also help in certain cases.

Second homes or seasonal rentals where spending plan is tight often lean on shutters to fulfill the Florida building regulations windows requirement for safeguarded openings. On specialized openings like a lanai that is rarely used in summer season, a tidy motorized roll-down can be reasonable, particularly if coupling with impact windows and doors somewhere else worries the spending plan. For homeowners who plan to move within a year, shutters can be a short 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 documents, gas cans, and household logistics. Throughout Hurricane Irma, I enjoyed a neighbor attempt to install 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 space. He survived with stitches. His living-room window did not. Shutters likewise rattle and can vibrate under sustained winds, often loosening up fasteners gradually if not maintained.

For long-lasting owners who want to set it and forget it, impact windows give hurricane evidence windows protection while maintaining daylight and view. The benefit grows important once you have actually experienced one storm season with no prep beyond locking the sash.

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

South Florida homes fight 2 fights: hidden load from humidity and reasonable load from direct solar heat gain. Effect glass upgrades can assist both if defined intelligently.

Low-E effect glass utilizes microscopically thin metallic layers to reflect infrared energy while letting visible light through. With the ideal finish stacks, you can obstruct a big portion of convected heat and UV. UV blockage in laminated systems comes mainly from the interlayer itself, which usually filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, minimizing fading of materials and flooring. Include the low-E, and you suppress the solar heat that drives your AC insane midafternoon.

I examine glass specifications 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, which reduces condensation threat. SHGC drives how much solar heat goes into. VT influences how intense the interior feels. Balance is crucial. Some house owners desire the crisp, clear appearance of greater VT, even if it indicates accepting a few degrees more heat in late afternoon, due to the fact that their landscaping and roof overhangs currently do some shading. Others prefer a more powerful tint for glare control on waterfront lots that show extreme light.

In useful terms, going from clear single-pane sliders to contemporary low-E laminated double-glazed systems can reduce peak solar gains by 30 to 50 percent on the most exposed sides. Couple that with tuned overhangs, light-colored outside surfaces, and a correctly sized variable-speed HVAC, and you start to construct resilience. If the grid decreases and you change to a generator, a lower cooling load suggests 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 tested. It is not enough to hear "these are Miami-Dade approved windows" in a display room. Verify the NOA matches the precise design and alternatives you are purchasing, including the glazing makeup and hardware. If you remain in Broward or Miami-Dade, your allowing office will want this paper trail.

Statewide, the Florida Item Approval system offers FL numbers that show code compliance. In the rest of the state outside the High Velocity Hurricane Zone, Florida building regulations windows can count on Florida Product Approval without Miami-Dade specific NOAs. Many top producers bring both. Where budget plans enable, I choose NOA items even outside the zone due to the fact that 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 leakage. Aim for air leakage at or listed below 0.3 cfm/ft ². Tighter is better for humidity control, however make certain your home still has stabilized ventilation. Sealing the envelope and ignoring fresh air is a recipe for indoor air quality complaints.

Dollars and sense: what to expect on cost, savings, and resale

Impact windows cost more in advance than shutters. There's no spin around that. Installed costs vary with size, shape, finish, and gain access to. On uncomplicated single-family homes, per-opening expenses often land between 1,200 and 3,000 dollars for basic sizes. Large multi-panel sliders, custom-made arches, and coastal-grade surfaces raise the numbers quickly.

Where you recover worth:

  • Insurance credits build up, often 10 to 25 percent off premiums when all openings are protected.
  • Energy cost savings, generally 8 to 20 percent on annual cooling costs in older homes after a full window upgrade coupled with sealing and attic improvements.
  • Resale appeal, especially 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 reveals better, feels quieter, and usually appraises stronger.

If you prepare to own the property for five years or more, the mathematics typically tilts in favor of effect windows, particularly when you factor the intangible of comfort. If you prepare to sell within a year and need to reveal compliance quickly, shutters may make more short-term sense. Context matters.

Details that separate great systems from fantastic ones

I take note of hardware and accessories. 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 patios. Take a look at the sill design on moving doors. Weep systems must be crafted to drain pipes heavy rains without letting wind-driven water blow back in. Ask to see a cutaway sample in the showroom.

Tint colors and reflectivity are more than style. Reflective movies can contravene of neighborhood watch or produce mirror-like glare toward neighboring homes. In coastal communities, highly reflective glass can confuse birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Regional pros know which finishings balance performance with compliance.

Color stability is a huge deal. Dark bronze or black frames look fantastic on modern homes, but in Florida sun low-cost surfaces chalk and fade. AAMA 2605-rated coatings offer the best color retention and chalk resistance. I define them for coastal direct exposures whenever budget plans allow.

Special cases: historic homes, condominiums, and tricky openings

Historic districts frequently require profiles that mimic old wood sash sightlines. There are impact-rated windows that fit these requirements, but lead times extend 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 define a narrow list of approved products for uniformity. They likewise appreciate noise control in between systems. If your building sits directly on Collins Avenue or deals with a busy beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated alternatives. Work with structure management on staging and lift access. Weekend work windows and limited parking can include days and dollars.

window installation Florida code

Large openings, like a 16-foot-wide slider, need unique attention in design pressure, deflection, and running hardware. Not every system that looks sturdy in a display room meets the wind loads on a ninth-floor veranda. Do not count on catalog optimum sizes. Utilize the NOA tables that represent your site's zone, favorable and unfavorable pressures, and mullion combinations if any.

What a tidy project appears like from study to last inspection

The finest projects begin with a measured study and exposure analysis. You map each opening, keep in mind the substrate, and identify any framing irregularities or settlement cracks. Throughout proposal, the specialist shows you the NOA and the Florida Product Approval, notes 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 remove one opening at a time to keep your house safe and secure. They safeguard floors, draw back window treatments, and cap sprinklers. Old frames come out with care to preserve interior surfaces. New systems get dry-fit, shimmed, and anchored per the schedule. The team checks squareness and diagonals before setting sealant. They photograph anchors for the license file, particularly if they will be hidden. After glazing, they water-test with a controlled spray to confirm drainage paths and seals. The inspector sees a neat jobsite, clear labels, and paperwork in order.

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

Frequently misconstrued points that cost property owners later

Impact score does not equivalent breakproof. Laminated glass can crack under extreme effects, however it needs to stay in the frame and hold together. After a storm that sends out particles into the glass, you might see star cracks or spidering. The window did its task. Replace the sash or IGU after the event.

Window movies do not transform non-impact windows into hurricane impact-resistant windows. They can add shatter resistance, however they do not substitute for an evaluated, anchored system. Your insurer and structure department will not count films as protected openings.

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

Maintenance is uncomplicated but not optional. Clean weep holes on sliders, wash salt spray from frames, and lubricate hardware every year with a silicone-based product that will not gum up in heat. Small habits extend lifespan.

When shutters still belong in the conversation

There are genuine reasons to blend solutions. A pair of hardly ever utilized garage windows can keep detachable panels to shave spending plan. A deep-set deck with very little sun direct exposure might do great with accordion shutters if you focus on other upgrades like a brand-new roof deck accessory or a fortified garage door. Shutters can likewise secure outside kitchen areas or cabana openings where grease and smoke would age elegant hardware prematurely.

If you choose shutters, buy quality. Stainless fasteners, smooth tracks, and motors with handbook overrides for roll-downs make a distinction. Appoint obligation for implementation and practice when beyond a storm watch. Inventory your hardware. The day you need 32 wing nuts is not the morning you wish to discover you have 29.

The bottom line: assurance you can feel on a quiet Tuesday

Impact windows are not just about making it through the big one. They improve daily living. The living-room remains cooler and quieter. The air conditioner cycles calmly rather of racing at 4 p.m. You sleep without freight trains of wind sound when a squall line passes at 2 noise reduction windows a.m. When a hurricane threatens, your preparation list gets shorter. You lock the sashes, set storm mode on the alarm, and concentrate on people instead of panels.

For a lot of my clients, that intangible is the choosing aspect. They understand storms will come. They likewise understand life in South Florida is too good to live inside a fortress that only wakes up in August. Miami-Dade authorized windows offer you both: a clear view of Biscayne Bay on a breezy February early morning and peaceful self-confidence when the spaghetti designs point our method September.

If you are weighing the option, start with a site-specific assessment. Match your direct exposures to design pressures, pick the right laminated glass stack for wind and heat, choose frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and work with a crew that appreciates the load course. Done right, energy‑efficient impact windows provide what shutters can not: defense that never ever asks for a ladder and a much better Low-E impact glass 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.