October 18, 2025

Hurricane-Proof Assurance: 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 way neighbors track tropical waves, the pre-storm rush to stockpile, and the ritual of carrying ladders to install panels. After twenty years defining, installing, and repairing building envelopes from Secret Largo to Palm Beach, I have actually seen what holds up and what doesn't. When the objective is genuine protection with year-round convenience, Miami-Dade authorized, energy‑efficient effect windows outperform shutters in ways that surpass 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 much faster than predicted.

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

What "Miami-Dade Approved" really means

Miami-Dade County's Item Control Division sets among the most difficult criteria in the nation for developing components exposed to windborne particles. Approval is not a marketing sticker label. It is made through specific lab tests that imitate real typhoon conditions.

First comes large rocket impact. 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 effect, the exact same system faces cyclic pressure loading, thousands of pressurization and depressurization cycles that imitate quick wind gusts over hours. If the glass stays in the frame without letting the envelope breach, it passes. The distinction in between "meets Florida building code windows" and "Miami-Dade approved windows" frequently lives in these test limits. Miami-Dade is just stiffer, especially in High Velocity Hurricane Zone requirements, that include Miami-Dade and Broward.

Wind ratings vary by opening size and design pressures, represented as PSF worths. On ocean-facing residential or commercial properties or high-rises, I often define units ranked at +60/ -80 PSF or higher. Inland or in more protected direct exposures, scores in the +45/ -60 PSF range can suffice, but you size and spec based upon the website's wind map, developing height, and surrounding structures. A professional understands that a corner exposure at the 2nd story needs various reinforcement than a sheltered window under a deep porch.

Why effect windows alter the day-to-day experience, not simply storm season

Hurricane shutters vs impact windows is not a one-to-one contrast. Shutters can meet code, and they're better than nothing. However 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 ASTM E1886 E1996 compliance you desire 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 advantages every day of the year.

Noise control is the most underappreciated benefit. Laminated effect glass is basically a sandwich: two panes of glass bonded by a resistant interlayer, generally PVB interlayer glass or SentryGlas. That interlayer damps noise. On jobs along busy corridors like Biscayne Boulevard or near flight courses, I have actually measured interior noise drops in the 5 to 10 decibel variety, sometimes more when paired with insulated glass units.

Security improves since laminated glass resists forced entry. A burglar can shatter the external lite with a hammer, however the interlayer holds the fragments. They satisfy a sticky, stubborn membrane rather of a fast course inside. Insurance underwriters understand this, which is why policies typically provide credits for impact windows and doors. In my projects, premiums normally drop 10 to 25 percent, depending on the carrier and how many openings are protected.

Energy efficiency is the third pillar. Energy-efficient effect windows with contemporary low-E impact glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while maintaining noticeable light. That implies less air conditioning need, especially 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 impact systems. Summertime afternoon peak load dropped by approximately a ton of cooling, and the home's annual electrical power use fell between 12 and 18 percent. Results vary with shading, attic insulation, and a/c performance, but 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 typhoon windows use a PVB interlayer glass stack, frequently 0.030 to 0.090 inches thick in single or multiple plies. Thicker interlayers improve effect resistance and sound control, but they add weight and expense. For oceanfront or high openings, you may see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and stronger than PVB, allowing thinner areas to attain higher design pressures. For noise-sensitive websites, acoustic PVB solutions modify the polymer to better soak up sound in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz variety, where traffic and voices sit.

Tempered glass windows show up frequently in discussions because tempered glass is stronger in flexing than annealed glass. That's true, and tempered lites are typically utilized as the external or inner ply in an effect unit. But tempered alone is not impact-resistant in the typhoon sense. When it fails, it takes off into small 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 use a tempered external lite laminated to an annealed inner lite, or both tempered, but constantly bonded through a PVB or ionoplast interlayer.

Low-E finishes matter for comfort. A soft-coat low-E tuned for South Florida 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 NOA impact windows the glass can look gray or green, specifically in larger openings. The sweet area depends on your façade orientation and shading. On east and west elevations, I frequently tighten up SHGC and accept a small tint to handle early morning and afternoon blasts. On north elevations, I lean toward 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 won't swell. Thermal breaks and enhanced glazing gaskets have actually narrowed the energy gap with vinyl. High-quality vinyl effect frames, when reinforced effectively, can perform well for standard-sized openings and have better insulating values, however I avoid them for extremely large sliders or tall storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad units look gorgeous in older Mediterranean Revival homes, but they demand cautious upkeep and wise flashing. The Florida sun destroys cheap vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum surfaces quickly. Search for powder-coated finishes ranked for seaside direct exposure, and request composed warranty details in salt-air environments.

The surprise hero: setup that appreciates the load path

Window installation can make or break efficiency. A pricey system set up like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's tension test. The load course is the core. Effect 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 building and construction, you desire stainless or hot-dipped galvanized anchors embedded into solid product. Hollow cells must be grouted or you need to hit the bond beam. Tapcons in soft, unfilled block are a failure waiting to occur. In wood-framed houses, structural screws need to bite into solid trimmers, not just sheathing. Shimming and plumb alignment matter so the locks engage cleanly and the weatherstripping compresses evenly.

The sealant joint is not simply visual. An effectively sized backer rod and high-quality polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant produce a resilient, flexible seal that deals with thermal expansion. Too small a bead and it tears under motion. Too big and it remedies inadequately. On seaside tasks, I never ever match dissimilar metals without a barrier, and I constantly 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 integration with the water-resistive barrier are important. If you count on sealant alone, water will discover its method. That wetness might disappoint up as a drip. It may rot a sill plate slowly, then betray itself as a buckling floor or a moldy smell 2 typhoon seasons later.

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

I have absolutely nothing against properly designed shutters. Accordion shutters that are maintained and lubed, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even removable panels stored thoroughly can protect homes successfully. They likewise assist in particular cases.

Second homes or seasonal leasings where budget plan is tight sometimes lean on shutters to fulfill the Florida building code windows requirement for protected openings. On specialized openings like a lanai that is hardly ever used in summertime, a tidy motorized roll-down can be sensible, specifically if pairing with impact windows and doors somewhere else stresses the budget plan. For house owners who plan to move within a year, shutters can be a brief bridge to compliance before a sale.

But shutters bring compromises. They darken your home when released, and they require action at specifically the time you are managing insurance coverage papers, gas cans, and household logistics. Throughout Hurricane 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 urgent care waiting room. He endured with stitches. His living room window did not. Shutters likewise rattle and can vibrate under sustained winds, sometimes loosening fasteners gradually if not maintained.

For long-lasting owners who wish to set it and forget it, impact windows provide typhoon proof windows coverage while protecting 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 requirements equate to comfort and bills

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

Low-E effect glass utilizes microscopically thin metallic layers to reflect infrared energy while letting visible light through. With the right finishing stacks, you can block a large portion of radiant heat and UV. UV blockage in laminated units comes mainly from the interlayer itself, which typically filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, minimizing fading of materials and flooring. Add the low-E, and you suppress the solar heat that drives your a/c insane midafternoon.

I assess glass specifications with three numbers: U-factor, SHGC, and VT. While U-factor matters more up north, it still helps here by decreasing nighttime heat circulation and keeping the interior glass temperature level closer to space temperature, which minimizes condensation danger. SHGC drives how much solar heat enters. VT influences how bright the interior feels. Balance is key. Some homeowners want the crisp, clear appearance of higher VT, even if it suggests accepting a few degrees more heat in late afternoon, because their landscaping and roof overhangs already do some shading. Others prefer a more powerful tint for glare control on waterfront lots that reflect harsh 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 50 percent on the most exposed sides. Couple that with tuned overhangs, light-colored outside finishes, and an appropriately sized variable-speed a/c, and you begin to develop strength. 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 file you request. It details the approved setups, sizes, anchors, and pressures evaluated. It is insufficient to hear "these are Miami-Dade authorized windows" in a display room. Validate the NOA matches the precise model and choices you are buying, consisting of the glazing makeup and hardware. If you are in Broward or Miami-Dade, your allowing office will desire this paper trail.

Statewide, the Florida Product Approval system offers FL numbers that show code compliance. In the rest of the state outside the High Speed Hurricane Zone, Florida building code windows can count on Florida Product Approval without Miami-Dade specific NOAs. Numerous leading producers bring both. Where budgets enable, I prefer NOA items even outside the zone because the testing is stiffer.

NFRC labels handle energy metrics. They won't tell you impact 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 better for humidity control, but make certain your home still has actually stabilized ventilation. Sealing the envelope and neglecting fresh air is a recipe for indoor air quality complaints.

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

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 expenses frequently land in between 1,200 and 3,000 dollars for standard sizes. Large multi-panel sliders, custom-made arches, and coastal-grade surfaces raise the numbers quickly.

Where you recoup worth:

  • Insurance credits add up, typically 10 to 25 percent off premiums when all openings are protected.
  • Energy cost savings, normally 8 to 20 percent on annual cooling expenses in older homes after a full window upgrade coupled with sealing and attic improvements.
  • Resale appeal, particularly in markets where buyers expect impact windows and doors as a standard. A home with accordion shutters completes, but a home with storm impact windows reveals much better, feels quieter, and usually appraises stronger.

If you plan to own the residential or commercial property for 5 years or more, the math frequently tilts in favor of impact windows, especially when you factor the intangible of comfort. If you prepare to sell within a year and require to reveal compliance quickly, shutters may make more short-term sense. Context matters.

Details that separate good systems from fantastic 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 glide smoother and last longer on sandy patio areas. Look at the sill design on sliding doors. Weep systems ought 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 fashion. Reflective films can run afoul of neighborhood watch or produce mirror-like glare toward neighboring properties. In seaside environments, highly reflective glass can puzzle birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Local pros know which finishings balance efficiency with compliance.

Color stability is a big deal. Dark bronze or black frames look fantastic on modern homes, but in Florida sun inexpensive surfaces chalk and fade. AAMA 2605-rated finishings supply the best color retention and chalk resistance. I specify them for seaside direct exposures whenever budgets allow.

Special cases: historical homes, condos, and tricky openings

Historic districts typically need profiles that simulate old wood sash sightlines. There are impact-rated windows that fit these requirements, but lead times lengthen and costs climb. Expect extra evaluation by architectural boards, and line up a contractor acquainted with these submissions.

Condos have another layer of governance. Associations sometimes specify a narrow list of authorized items for harmony. They also appreciate noise control in between units. If your building sits directly on Collins Opportunity or faces a hectic beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated alternatives. Deal with building management on staging and lift access. Weekend work windows and restricted parking can add days and dollars.

Large openings, like a 16-foot-wide slider, need special attention in style pressure, deflection, and running hardware. Not every system 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 website's zone, favorable and negative pressures, and mullion mixes if any.

What a clean job appears like from survey to final inspection

The finest projects begin with a measured survey and direct exposure analysis. You map each opening, note the substrate, and determine any framing abnormalities or settlement fractures. During proposal, the professional reveals you the NOA and the Florida Product Approval, lists 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 your home secure. They safeguard floors, pull back window treatments, and cap sprinklers. Old frames bring out 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 photo anchors for the permit file, particularly if they will be concealed. After glazing, they water-test with a controlled spray to confirm drain courses and seals. The inspector sees a neat 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 misconstrued points that cost house owners later

Impact ranking does not equivalent breakproof. Laminated glass can break under extreme impacts, however it should remain in the frame and hold together. After a storm that sends debris into the glass, you may see star cracks or spidering. The window did its job. Change the sash or IGU after the event.

Window movies do not convert non-impact windows into cyclone impact-resistant windows. They can add shatter resistance, however they do not replacement for a checked, anchored system. Your insurance provider and structure department will not count movies as secured openings.

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

Maintenance is uncomplicated however not optional. Clean weep holes on sliders, wash salt spray from frames, and lube hardware yearly with a silicone-based product that will not gum up in heat. Little habits extend lifespan.

When shutters still belong in the conversation

There are genuine factors to mix services. A pair of rarely utilized garage windows can keep removable panels to shave budget plan. A deep-set porch with minimal sun direct exposure might do fine with accordion shutters if you prioritize other upgrades like a new roof deck accessory or a prepared garage door. Shutters can also protect outdoor kitchen areas or cabana openings where grease and smoke would age expensive hardware prematurely.

If you choose 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 outside of a storm watch. Inventory your hardware. The day you require 32 wing nuts is not the morning you wish to discover you have 29.

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

Impact windows are not only about making it through the huge one. They reshape daily living. The living room remains cooler and quieter. The a/c cycles calmly instead 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 cyclone threatens, your preparation list gets shorter. You lock the sashes, set storm mode on the alarm, and concentrate on people rather than panels.

For a lot of my customers, that intangible is the choosing aspect. They know storms will come. They likewise know life in South Florida is too great to live inside a fortress that only awakens in August. Miami-Dade authorized windows provide you both: a clear view of Biscayne Bay on a breezy February morning and peaceful confidence when the spaghetti models point our method September.

If you are weighing the option, begin with a site-specific assessment. Match your exposures to design pressures, select the best laminated glass stack for wind and heat, choose frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and employ a team that appreciates the load path. Done right, energy‑efficient impact windows deliver what shutters can not: protection that never requests for a ladder and a much better home every day of the year.

I am a dynamic innovator with a broad knowledge base in entrepreneurship. My conviction in entrepreneurship spurs my desire to innovate disruptive organizations. In my business career, I have cultivated a profile as being a daring thinker. Aside from creating my own businesses, I also enjoy counseling young startup founders. I believe in empowering the next generation of startup founders to pursue their own aspirations. I am easily seeking out disruptive opportunities and working together with similarly-driven creators. Redefining what's possible is my purpose. Aside from engaged in my enterprise, I enjoy immersing myself in dynamic environments. I am also focused on health and wellness.