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 way neighbors track tropical waves, the pre-storm rush to stockpile, and the ritual of hauling ladders to mount panels. After two decades defining, installing, and troubleshooting structure envelopes from Secret Largo to Palm Beach, I have actually seen what holds up and what does not. When the objective is genuine security with year-round convenience, Miami-Dade approved, energy‑efficient residential window installation impact windows exceed shutters in manner ins which surpass storm day. They alter how a home feels in August, how peaceful 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 numerous South Florida house owners are moving from shutters to typhoon impact-resistant windows, how to read the standards behind "Miami-Dade authorized," what materials matter, and how to get the installation right the first time.
Miami-Dade County's Product Control Department sets among the most difficult standards in the nation for developing components exposed to windborne particles. Approval is not a marketing sticker label. It is earned through specific lab tests that replicate genuine hurricane conditions.
First comes big rocket effect. A 9-pound 2x4 is contended the glass at roughly 34 miles per hour. That imitates roof tiles, branches, or pieces of fencing that fly in the eyewall. After the effect, the very same system deals with cyclic pressure loading, countless pressurization and depressurization cycles that simulate quick 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 code windows" and "Miami-Dade approved windows" often lives in these test limits. Miami-Dade is just stiffer, especially in High Velocity Cyclone Zone requirements, which include Miami-Dade and Broward.
Wind scores differ by opening size and design pressures, represented as PSF worths. On ocean-facing properties or high-rises, I often define units rated at +60/ -80 PSF or greater. Inland or in more safeguarded direct exposures, scores in the +45/ -60 PSF variety can be sufficient, but you size and specification based on the site's wind map, developing height, and surrounding structures. A professional understands that a corner exposure at the 2nd story demands various reinforcement than a sheltered window under a deep porch.
Hurricane shutters vs impact windows is not a one-to-one contrast. 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, the last thing you desire is a ladder, a dead cordless drill, and a missing wing nut.
Impact windows live in location. You get continuous security, 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 effect glass is basically a sandwich: two panes of glass bonded by a resistant interlayer, normally PVB interlayer glass or SentryGlas. That interlayer damps noise. On jobs along hectic corridors like Biscayne Boulevard or near flight courses, I've measured interior sound drops in the 5 to 10 decibel variety, sometimes more when paired with insulated glass units.
Security improves because laminated glass resists required entry. A impact windows for homes robber can shatter the external lite with a hammer, but the interlayer holds the fragments. They satisfy a sticky, persistent membrane rather of a fast path inside. Insurance coverage underwriters know this, which is why policies often offer credits for impact doors and windows. In my jobs, premiums normally drop 10 to 25 percent, depending upon the provider and the number of openings are protected.
Energy efficiency is the third pillar. Energy-efficient impact windows with contemporary low-E effect glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while protecting visible light. That indicates less cooling need, particularly 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 season afternoon peak load dropped by approximately a ton of cooling, and the home's annual electrical power use fell in between 12 and 18 percent. Outcomes vary with shading, attic insulation, and heating and cooling effectiveness, but the instructions is consistent.
Laminated effect glass is the heart of the system, however not all laminated products are equal.
Most domestic typhoon windows use a PVB interlayer glass stack, typically 0.030 to 0.090 inches thick in single or numerous plies. Thicker interlayers improve effect resistance and sound control, but they include weight and cost. For oceanfront or tall openings, you might see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and more powerful than PVB, permitting thinner sections to attain greater design pressures. For noise-sensitive websites, acoustic PVB formulations fine-tune the polymer to much better soak up noise in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz range, where traffic and voices sit.

Tempered glass windows come up frequently in conversations since tempered glass is stronger in flexing than annealed glass. That's true, and tempered lites are typically utilized as the outer or inner ply in an impact unit. However tempered alone is not impact-resistant in the hurricane sense. When it stops working, it explodes into small cubes and falls out of the frame, which leaves the opening vulnerable. The impact efficiency originates from laminated building and construction, not tempering by itself. Numerous systems utilize a tempered external lite laminated to an annealed inner lite, or both tempered, but always bonded through a PVB or ionoplast interlayer.
Low-E finishings matter for comfort. 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 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 area depends upon your façade orientation and shading. On east and west elevations, I typically tighten up SHGC and accept a minor 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 manage big openings and will not swell. Thermal breaks and improved glazing gaskets have actually narrowed the energy space with vinyl. Top quality vinyl effect frames, when strengthened appropriately, can perform well for standard-sized openings and have much better insulating worths, but I avoid them for very broad sliders or tall storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad systems look beautiful in older Mediterranean Revival homes, however they require cautious maintenance and wise flashing. The Florida sun damages cheap vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum finishes quickly. Search for powder-coated surfaces rated for seaside exposure, and request composed service warranty details in salt-air environments.
Window installation can make or break efficiency. An expensive system installed like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's stress 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 then into the structure's framing or masonry.
In cinder block construction, you desire stainless or hot-dipped galvanized anchors embedded into strong product. Hollow cells need to be grouted or you require 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 strong trimmers, not just sheathing. Shimming and plumb alignment matter so the locks engage easily and the weatherstripping compresses evenly.
The sealant joint is not just visual. A correctly sized backer rod and top quality polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant produce a long lasting, versatile seal that manages thermal expansion. Too small a bead and it tears under motion. Too big and it cures badly. On coastal tasks, I never ever pair different metals without a barrier, and I always specify corrosion-resistant fasteners. Ten years later on, 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 vital. If you rely on sealant alone, water will discover its method. That wetness may not show up as a drip. It may rot a sill plate slowly, then betray itself as a buckling flooring or a moldy smell 2 cyclone seasons later.
I have nothing against properly designed shutters. Accordion shutters that are maintained and oiled, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even removable panels kept thoroughly can protect homes effectively. They also help in specific cases.
Second homes or seasonal leasings where budget plan 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 rarely utilized in summertime, a clean motorized roll-down can be reasonable, especially if pairing with effect windows and doors elsewhere worries the spending plan. For homeowners who prepare to move within a year, shutters can be a short bridge to compliance before a sale.
But shutters bring compromises. They darken the house when released, and they require action at specifically the time you are juggling insurance coverage documents, gas cans, and family logistics. During Typhoon Irma, I watched 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 made it through with stitches. His living-room window did not. Shutters also rattle and can vibrate under continual winds, often loosening up fasteners over time if not maintained.
For long-term owners who want to set it and forget it, effect windows offer cyclone proof windows protection while maintaining daytime and view. The benefit grows important once you have actually experienced one storm season with no preparation beyond locking the sash.
South Florida homes fight two fights: 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 utilizes microscopically thin metal layers to reflect infrared energy while letting visible light through. With the right covering stacks, you can block 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 floor covering. Add the low-E, and you curb the solar heat that drives your air conditioner crazy midafternoon.
I assess glass specifications with 3 numbers: U-factor, SHGC, and VT. While U-factor matters more up north, it still assists here by minimizing nighttime heat flow and keeping the interior glass temperature closer to room temperature, which reduces condensation threat. SHGC drives just how much solar heat gets in. VT influences how intense the interior feels. Balance is key. Some homeowners desire the crisp, clear look of higher VT, even if it implies accepting a few degrees more heat in late afternoon, due to the fact that their landscaping and roofing system overhangs already do some shading. Others choose a more powerful tint for glare control on waterfront lots that reflect harsh light.
In useful terms, going from clear affordable hurricane proof windows single-pane sliders to modern-day low-E laminated double-glazed units can reduce peak solar gains by 30 to half on the most exposed sides. Couple that with tuned overhangs, light-colored exterior surfaces, and a correctly sized variable-speed heating and cooling, and you begin to build durability. If the grid goes down and you change to a generator, a lower cooling load indicates a smaller generator and fewer gallons of fuel.
Miami-Dade Notification of Approval, or NOA, is the file you request. It information the authorized setups, sizes, anchors, and pressures tested. It is not enough to hear "these are Miami-Dade approved windows" in a showroom. Validate the NOA matches the specific model and choices you are buying, including the glazing makeup and hardware. If you remain in Broward or Miami-Dade, your allowing office will desire this paper trail.
Statewide, the Florida Item Approval system provides FL numbers that reveal code compliance. In the remainder of the state outside the High Speed Cyclone Zone, Florida building code windows can depend on Florida Item Approval without Miami-Dade particular NOAs. Many leading makers bring both. Where budgets permit, I prefer NOA items even outside the zone due to the fact that the screening is stiffer.
NFRC labels deal with energy metrics. They won't tell you effect efficiency, but they show U-factor, SHGC, VT, and air leak. Go for air leakage at or listed below 0.3 cfm/ft TWO. Tighter is much better for humidity control, however make sure your home still has stabilized ventilation. Sealing the envelope and ignoring fresh air is a dish for indoor air quality complaints.
Impact windows cost more upfront than shutters. There's no spin around that. Set up costs vary with size, shape, surface, and access. On uncomplicated single-family homes, per-opening costs often land 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:
If you plan to own the home for 5 years or more, the math typically tilts in favor of effect windows, particularly when you factor the intangible of comfort. If you plan to sell within a year and require to show compliance quickly, shutters might make more short-term sense. Context matters.
I focus on hardware and accessories. Multi-point locks on casements and awnings improve seal compression and security. For sliders, robust tandem rollers in stainless housings slide smoother and last longer on sandy outdoor patios. Look at the sill style on sliding doors. Weep systems should be engineered to drain 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 fashion. Reflective films can contravene of neighborhood associations or produce mirror-like glare toward neighboring residential or commercial properties. In seaside ecosystems, extremely reflective glass can confuse birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Local pros understand which coverings balance efficiency with compliance.
Color stability is a big deal. Dark bronze or black frames look wonderful on contemporary homes, however in Florida sun cheap finishes chalk and fade. AAMA 2605-rated coverings provide the very best color retention and chalk resistance. I define them for coastal exposures whenever budgets allow.
Historic districts frequently require profiles that imitate old wood sash sightlines. There are impact-rated windows that fit these requirements, but lead times lengthen and costs climb. Anticipate extra evaluation 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 harmony. They likewise care about sound control between systems. If your structure sits straight on Collins Opportunity or deals with a hectic beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated choices. Deal with structure management on staging and lift access. Weekend work windows and restricted parking can include days and dollars.
Large openings, like a 16-foot-wide slider, need unique attention in design pressure, deflection, and running hardware. Not every unit that looks sturdy in a showroom satisfies the wind loads on a ninth-floor veranda. Do not depend on catalog optimum sizes. Utilize the NOA tables that represent your site's zone, favorable and negative pressures, and mullion combinations if any.
The best jobs start with a determined study and exposure analysis. You map each opening, note the substrate, and recognize any framing abnormalities or settlement fractures. During proposition, the specialist shows you the NOA and the Florida Product Approval, lists anchor types, and explains how each opening will be flashed and sealed. They plan for stucco or drywall repairs, not pretend no damage will occur.
On install day, they get rid of one opening at a time to keep the house safe. They protect floorings, pull back window treatments, and cap sprinklers. Old frames bring out care to preserve 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 concealed. After glazing, they water-test with a controlled spray to confirm drain paths and seals. The inspector sees a cool jobsite, clear labels, and paperwork in order.
Six months later, your windows still close with 2 fingers, locks bite efficiently, and there is no mystery rattle throughout thunderstorms. You did not have to require a roller adjustment after the first week. That is the standard.
Impact ranking does not equal breakproof. Laminated glass can break under extreme impacts, however it must stay in the frame and hold together. After a storm that sends out debris into the glass, you may see star cracks or spidering. The window did its task. Change 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, but they do not substitute for a tested, anchored system. Your insurance provider and building department will not count movies as secured openings.
Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient impact windows decrease air leakage. That's excellent, but it increases the importance of an effectively sized a/c with great dehumidification. If your system is oversized, the thermostat pleases quickly and stops working to pull enough moisture from the air. Ask your heating and cooling pro to check practical heat ratio, air flow, and run time. You want constant, longer cycles, not short bursts.
Maintenance is straightforward however not optional. Clean weep holes on sliders, wash salt spray from frames, and lube hardware each year with a silicone-based item that will not gum up in heat. Small habits extend lifespan.
There are genuine factors Boca Raton hurricane proof window installation to mix solutions. A pair of rarely utilized garage windows can keep removable panels to shave budget 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 roofing deck accessory or a fortified garage door. Shutters can also safeguard outdoor kitchens or cabana openings where grease and smoke would age expensive hardware prematurely.
If you select shutters, invest in quality. Stainless fasteners, smooth tracks, and motors with manual bypasses for roll-downs make a distinction. Appoint duty for deployment and practice as soon as outside of a storm watch. Inventory your hardware. The day you need 32 wing nuts is not the morning you want to discover you have 29.
Impact windows are not just about making it through the huge one. They reshape 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 sound when a squall line passes at 2 a.m. When a typhoon threatens, your preparation list gets much shorter. You lock the sashes, set storm mode on the alarm, and concentrate on people instead of panels.
For many of my customers, that intangible is the deciding element. They understand storms will come. They likewise understand life in South Florida is too great 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 confidence when the spaghetti models point our way in September.
If you are weighing the option, start with a site-specific evaluation. Match your exposures to design pressures, choose the best laminated glass stack for wind and heat, choose frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and work with a crew that appreciates the load path. Done right, energy‑efficient impact windows deliver what shutters can not: security that never ever asks for a ladder and a much better home affordable impact windows every day of the year.