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 method neighbors track tropical waves, the pre-storm rush to stockpile, and the ritual of carrying ladders to install panels. After two decades defining, setting up, and repairing structure envelopes from Key Largo to Palm Beach, I have actually seen what holds up and what does not. When the goal is real security with year-round comfort, Miami-Dade approved, energy‑efficient impact windows surpass shutters in manner ins which surpass storm day. They change how a home feels in August, how peaceful your living room remains on a Saturday night, and how positive you are when a storm line spins up faster than predicted.

This is a practical look at why numerous South Florida property owners are moving from shutters to typhoon impact-resistant windows, how to read the standards 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 Department sets one of the toughest standards in the country for building parts exposed to windborne particles. Approval is not a marketing sticker. It is made through particular lab tests that simulate genuine hurricane conditions.

First comes big rocket effect. A 9-pound 2x4 is shot at the glass at approximately 34 miles per hour. That mimics roofing system tiles, branches, or pieces of fencing that fly in the eyewall. After the impact, the exact same unit deals with cyclic pressure loading, thousands of pressurization and depressurization cycles that mimic fast wind gusts over hours. If the glass stays in the frame without letting the envelope breach, it passes. The difference in between "fulfills Florida building code windows" and "Miami-Dade authorized windows" often lives in these test thresholds. Miami-Dade is merely stiffer, especially in High Speed Hurricane Zone requirements, which include Miami-Dade and Broward.

Wind ratings vary by opening size and style pressures, represented as PSF worths. On ocean-facing residential or commercial properties or high-rises, I often specify systems ranked at +60/ -80 PSF or greater. Inland or in more protected direct exposures, ratings in the +45/ -60 PSF range can be sufficient, but you size and spec based upon the website's wind map, building height, and surrounding structures. A professional knows that a corner exposure at the 2nd story demands different support than a sheltered window under a deep porch.

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

Hurricane shutters vs effect windows is not a one-to-one comparison. Shutters can fulfill code, and they're better than nothing. But 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 desire is a ladder, a dead cordless drill, and a missing wing nut.

Impact windows live in location. You get constant security, even if a pop-up storm surprises you while you're stuck on United States 1. You likewise get benefits every day of the year.

Noise control is the most underappreciated benefit. Laminated effect glass is essentially a sandwich: 2 panes of glass bonded by a resistant interlayer, normally PVB interlayer glass or SentryGlas. That interlayer damps noise. On jobs along hectic passages like Biscayne Boulevard or near flight paths, I have actually determined interior sound drops in the 5 to 10 decibel variety, often more when paired with insulated glass units.

Security improves because laminated glass resists forced entry. A robber can shatter the outer lite with a hammer, however the interlayer holds the shards. They satisfy a sticky, stubborn membrane rather of a fast course inside. Insurance underwriters understand this, which is why policies typically use credits for effect doors and windows. In my tasks, premiums generally drop 10 to 25 percent, depending on the provider and how many openings are protected.

Energy performance is the 3rd pillar. Energy-efficient impact windows with modern low-E impact glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while preserving noticeable light. That implies less a/c need, especially on west and south exposures where the afternoon sun penalizes interiors. In one Coral Gables retrofit, we replaced 1980s single-pane sliders with laminated low-E effect systems. Summertime afternoon peak load come by approximately a lots of cooling, and the home's annual electricity use fell in between 12 and 18 percent. Outcomes vary with shading, attic insulation, and HVAC effectiveness, however the direction is consistent.

Material choices that matter: glass, interlayers, and frames

Laminated impact glass is the heart of the system, but not all laminated products are equal.

Most property cyclone windows use a PVB interlayer glass stack, frequently 0.030 to 0.090 inches thick in single or numerous plies. Thicker interlayers improve effect 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 stronger than PVB, allowing thinner sections to accomplish higher style pressures. For noise-sensitive sites, acoustic PVB solutions fine-tune the polymer to better absorb noise in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz variety, where traffic and voices sit.

Tempered glass windows turn up frequently in discussions since tempered glass is stronger in bending than annealed glass. That's true, and tempered lites are typically used as the external or inner ply in an impact system. But tempered alone is not impact-resistant in the typhoon sense. When it stops working, it blows up into small cubes and falls out of the frame, which leaves the opening vulnerable. The impact performance comes from laminated building, not tempering by itself. Numerous systems utilize a tempered outer 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 generally 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 spot depends upon your façade orientation and shading. On east and west elevations, I often tighten up SHGC and accept a small tint to handle early morning and afternoon blasts. aluminum impact windows On north elevations, I favor higher noticeable transmittance for daylighting.

Frames are the other half of the story. Aluminum frames dominate here due to the fact that they handle large openings and won't swell. Thermal breaks and improved glazing gaskets have narrowed the energy space with vinyl. Top quality vinyl impact frames, when reinforced correctly, can carry out well for standard-sized openings and have much better insulating values, however I prevent them for really wide sliders or high storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad units look beautiful in older Mediterranean Revival homes, but they demand careful upkeep and wise flashing. The Florida sun damages low-cost vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum surfaces quickly. Try to find powder-coated surfaces ranked for coastal direct exposure, and demand written guarantee information in salt-air environments.

The hidden hero: installation that respects the load path

Window installation can make or break performance. A costly system set up like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's tension test. The load path is the essence. Impact forces have to travel from the glass through the frame, to the anchors, into the substrate, and after that into the structure's framing or masonry.

In cinder block building, you want stainless or hot-dipped galvanized anchors embedded into strong product. Hollow cells need to 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 strong trimmers, not just sheathing. Shimming and plumb positioning matter so the locks engage cleanly and the weatherstripping compresses evenly.

The sealant joint is not just aesthetic. A correctly sized backer rod and high-quality polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant create a resilient, flexible seal that deals with thermal expansion. Too little a bead and it tears under movement. Too big and it remedies badly. On coastal jobs, I never combine different metals without a barrier, and I always define corrosion-resistant fasteners. 10 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 essential. If you count on sealant alone, water will find its way in. That moisture might not show up as a drip. It may rot a sill plate slowly, then betray itself as a buckling floor or a moldy smell two hurricane seasons later.

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

I have absolutely nothing versus properly designed shutters. Accordion shutters that are maintained and oiled, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even detachable panels kept carefully can secure homes efficiently. They likewise help in certain cases.

Second homes or seasonal rentals where budget plan is tight in some cases lean on shutters to fulfill the Florida building regulations windows requirement for safeguarded openings. On specialized openings like a lanai that is hardly ever used in summer season, a tidy motorized roll-down can be reasonable, specifically if coupling with effect windows and doors in other places stresses the budget. For property owners who prepare to move within a year, shutters can be a brief bridge to compliance before a sale.

But shutters bring trade-offs. They darken your home when released, and they require action at exactly the time you are managing insurance papers, gas cans, and family logistics. During Typhoon Irma, I watched a next-door neighbor attempt to install steel panels hours before landfall. The ladder sank in saturated soil, a panel slipped, and we invested the next hour in the immediate care waiting room. He survived with stitches. His living room window did not. Shutters likewise rattle and can vibrate under continual winds, in some cases loosening fasteners in time if not maintained.

For long-term owners who wish to set it and forget it, impact windows give cyclone evidence windows coverage while protecting daylight and view. The convenience grows valuable once you have actually experienced one storm season with zero prep beyond locking the sash.

The energy story: how glass requirements translate to comfort and bills

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

Low-E impact glass utilizes microscopically thin metal layers to reflect infrared energy while letting visible light through. With the right coating stacks, you can obstruct a large portion of radiant heat and UV. UV clog in laminated units comes mainly from the interlayer itself, which typically filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, reducing fading of materials and floor covering. Include the low-E, and you curb the solar heat that drives your air conditioning crazy 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 minimizing nighttime heat flow and keeping the interior glass temperature level closer to space temperature level, which lowers condensation threat. SHGC drives just how much solar heat enters. VT influences how bright the interior feels. Balance is crucial. Some property owners desire the crisp, clear look of higher VT, even if it means accepting a couple of degrees more heat in late afternoon, since their landscaping and roof overhangs already do some shading. Others prefer a more powerful tint for glare control on waterfront lots that show harsh light.

In useful terms, going from clear single-pane sliders to modern-day low-E laminated double-glazed systems can decrease 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 a/c, and you start to develop durability. If the grid goes down and you change to a generator, a lower cooling load implies a smaller generator and fewer gallons of fuel.

Reading labels and approvals without getting lost in alphabet soup

Miami-Dade Notification of Approval, or NOA, is the file you request. It information the approved setups, sizes, anchors, and pressures checked. It is inadequate to hear "these are Miami-Dade authorized windows" in a showroom. Validate the NOA matches the exact design and choices you are buying, including the glazing makeup and hardware. If you are in Broward or Miami-Dade, your permitting office will desire this paper trail.

Statewide, the Florida Item Approval system provides FL numbers that reveal code compliance. In the rest of the state outside the High Speed Typhoon Zone, Florida building regulations windows can depend on Florida Product Approval without Miami-Dade specific NOAs. Lots of leading producers bring both. Where budgets enable, I prefer NOA items even outside the zone due to the fact that the testing is stiffer.

NFRC labels manage energy metrics. They won't inform you effect performance, however they reveal U-factor, SHGC, VT, and air leakage. Aim for air leakage at or below 0.3 cfm/ft ². Tighter is better for humidity control, but make sure your home still has balanced ventilation. Sealing the envelope and disregarding fresh air is a recipe for indoor air quality complaints.

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

Impact windows cost more in advance than shutters. There's no spin around that. Set up expenses vary with size, shape, surface, and gain access to. On simple single-family homes, per-opening expenses frequently land in between 1,200 and 3,000 dollars for standard sizes. Big multi-panel sliders, custom-made arches, and coastal-grade finishes raise the numbers quickly.

Where you recover value:

  • Insurance credits accumulate, frequently 10 to 25 percent off premiums when all openings are protected.
  • Energy cost savings, normally 8 to 20 percent on annual cooling costs in older homes after a complete window upgrade paired with sealing and attic improvements.
  • Resale appeal, especially in markets where buyers anticipate effect windows and doors as a standard. A home with accordion shutters contends, but a home with storm effect windows reveals much better, feels quieter, and usually appraises stronger.

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 peace of mind. If you plan to offer within a year and require to reveal compliance rapidly, shutters may make more short-term sense. Context matters.

Details that separate good systems from excellent ones

I pay attention to hardware and accessories. Multi-point locks on casements and awnings enhance 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 should be engineered 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 fashion. Reflective movies can contravene of neighborhood watch or produce mirror-like glare toward surrounding homes. In seaside environments, extremely reflective glass can puzzle birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Regional pros know which coverings balance performance with compliance.

Color stability is a huge offer. Dark bronze or black frames look wonderful on contemporary homes, however in Florida sun inexpensive finishes chalk and fade. AAMA 2605-rated coverings offer the best color retention and chalk resistance. I define them for coastal exposures whenever spending plans allow.

Special cases: historic homes, condominiums, and difficult openings

Historic districts often need profiles that imitate old wood sash sightlines. There are impact-rated windows that fit these requirements, however lead times extend and costs climb. Anticipate extra evaluation by architectural boards, and line up a professional familiar with these submissions.

Condos have another layer of governance. Associations sometimes specify a narrow list of authorized items for uniformity. They likewise appreciate sound control in between units. If your building sits directly on Collins Avenue or deals with a hectic beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated options. Deal with structure management on staging and lift gain access to. Weekend work windows and restricted parking can include days and dollars.

Large openings, like a 16-foot-wide slider, require special 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 balcony. Do not count on catalog optimum sizes. Use the NOA tables that represent your website's zone, positive and negative pressures, and mullion mixes if any.

What a clean project appears like from survey to final inspection

The best projects begin with a determined study and exposure analysis. You map each opening, keep in mind the substrate, and determine any framing irregularities or settlement fractures. Throughout proposal, the contractor reveals you the NOA and the Florida Product Approval, lists 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 set up day, they get rid of one opening at a time to keep the house safe. They protect floorings, draw back window treatments, and cap sprinklers. Old frames bring out care to protect interior surfaces. 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 permit file, specifically if they will be concealed. After glazing, they water-test with a regulated spray to confirm drainage paths and seals. The inspector sees a neat 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 need to call for a roller modification after the very first week. That is the standard.

Frequently misconstrued points that cost homeowners later

Impact ranking does not equivalent breakproof. Laminated glass can split under serious impacts, but it needs to stay in the frame and hold together. After a storm that sends particles into the glass, you might see star fractures or spidering. The window did its job. Replace the sash or IGU after the event.

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

Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient impact windows decrease air leakage. That's great, but it increases the significance of an effectively sized impact windows 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 HVAC pro to inspect sensible heat ratio, air flow, and run time. You want stable, longer cycles, not brief 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 routines extend lifespan.

When shutters still belong in the conversation

There are legitimate reasons to mix options. A pair of seldom utilized garage windows can keep detachable panels to shave spending plan. A deep-set deck with minimal sun direct exposure may do fine with accordion shutters if you prioritize other upgrades like a brand-new roofing deck attachment 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, invest in quality. Stainless fasteners, smooth tracks, and motors with handbook overrides for roll-downs make a distinction. Designate obligation for deployment and practice when outside of a storm watch. Inventory your hardware. The day you need 32 wing nuts is not the early morning you wish to discover you have 29.

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

Impact windows are not just about surviving the big 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 noise 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 focus on individuals instead of panels.

For a number of my clients, that intangible is the choosing element. They know storms will come. They likewise understand life in South Florida is too good to live inside a fortress that just awakens in August. Miami-Dade authorized windows give you both: a clear view of Biscayne Bay on a breezy February early morning and quiet self-confidence when the spaghetti designs point our way in September.

If you are weighing the option, start with a site-specific evaluation. Match your direct exposures to create pressures, pick the best laminated glass stack for wind and heat, select frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and hire a team that appreciates the load path. Done right, energy‑efficient impact windows provide what shutters can not: protection that never asks 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.