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 next-door neighbors track tropical waves, the pre-storm rush to stock up, and the ritual of transporting ladders to install panels. After two decades defining, installing, and repairing structure envelopes from Key Largo to Palm Beach, I've seen what holds up and what does not. When the goal is real security with year-round convenience, Miami-Dade approved, energy‑efficient impact windows outperform shutters in manner ins which exceed storm day. They change how a house feels in August, how quiet your living room remains on a Saturday night, and how confident you are when a storm line spins up quicker than predicted.
This is a practical take a look at why many South Florida homeowners are moving from shutters to hurricane impact-resistant windows, how to read the requirements behind "Miami-Dade authorized," what products matter, and how to get the setup right the first time.
Miami-Dade County's Product Control Department sets one of the toughest standards in the nation for developing elements exposed to windborne particles. Approval is not a marketing sticker. It is made through particular lab tests that simulate genuine hurricane conditions.
First comes large rocket effect. A 9-pound 2x4 is contended the glass at approximately 34 miles per hour. That mimics roof 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 quick wind gusts over hours. If the glass remains in the frame without letting the envelope breach, it passes. The distinction between "fulfills Florida building regulations windows" and "Miami-Dade authorized windows" often resides 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 style pressures, represented as PSF values. On ocean-facing properties or high-rises, I typically define units ranked at +60/ -80 PSF or greater. Inland or in more safeguarded direct exposures, rankings in the +45/ -60 PSF variety can be enough, 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 second story needs various reinforcement than a sheltered window under a deep porch.
Hurricane shutters vs effect windows is not a one-to-one comparison. Shutters can meet code, and they're better than nothing. But they ask you to do operate at the worst possible time. When a watch turns to a caution 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 constant protection, 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 impact glass is essentially 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've measured interior noise drops in the 5 to 10 decibel range, sometimes more when coupled with insulated glass units.
Security improves because laminated glass resists forced entry. A burglar can shatter the outer lite with a hammer, but the interlayer holds the shards. They satisfy a sticky, persistent membrane instead of a fast path inside. Insurance underwriters understand this, which is why policies often offer credits for impact doors and windows. In my jobs, premiums generally drop 10 to 25 percent, depending on the carrier and the number of openings are protected.

Energy performance is the 3rd pillar. Energy-efficient effect windows with modern low-E impact glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while protecting visible light. That suggests less cooling demand, particularly 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 stopped by roughly a lots of cooling, and the home's yearly electrical power use fell between 12 and 18 percent. Results vary with shading, attic insulation, and HVAC efficiency, however the direction is consistent.
Laminated impact glass is the heart of the system, however not all laminated products are equal.
Most domestic typhoon windows use a PVB interlayer glass stack, commonly 0.030 to 0.090 inches thick in single or multiple plies. Thicker interlayers improve effect resistance and sound control, but they include weight and cost. For oceanfront or high openings, you may see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and stronger than PVB, enabling thinner areas to attain greater design pressures. For noise-sensitive websites, acoustic PVB formulations modify the polymer to much better soak up sound in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz range, where traffic and voices sit.
Tempered glass windows come up often in discussions due to the fact that tempered glass is more powerful in flexing than annealed glass. That's true, and tempered lites are frequently utilized as the outer or inner ply in an effect system. However tempered alone is not impact-resistant in the hurricane sense. When it fails, it blows up into little cubes and falls out of the frame, which leaves the opening vulnerable. The impact performance 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 coverings 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 half or greater. Go too short on SHGC and the glass can look gray or green, specifically in larger openings. The sweet area depends on your exterior orientation and shading. On east and west elevations, I often tighten up SHGC and accept a slight tint to handle morning and afternoon blasts. On north elevations, I favor higher noticeable transmittance for daylighting.
Frames are the other half of the story. Aluminum frames control here due to the fact that they handle big openings and won't swell. Thermal breaks and improved glazing gaskets have narrowed the energy space with vinyl. Top quality vinyl effect frames, when enhanced correctly, can perform well for standard-sized openings and have better insulating worths, however I avoid them for extremely large sliders or tall storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad systems look gorgeous in older Mediterranean Revival homes, however they demand careful maintenance and smart flashing. The Florida sun damages cheap vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum surfaces rapidly. Look for powder-coated surfaces rated for seaside exposure, and request written service warranty details in salt-air environments.
Window installation can make or break performance. A costly system installed like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's tension test. The load path is the core. Effect 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 concrete block building, you desire stainless or hot-dipped galvanized anchors embedded into strong material. Hollow cells should be grouted or you require to strike the bond beam. Tapcons in soft, unfilled block are a failure waiting to occur. In wood-framed homes, structural screws should bite into strong trimmers, not just sheathing. Shimming and plumb alignment matter so the locks engage cleanly and the weatherstripping compresses evenly.
The sealant joint is not just aesthetic. An appropriately sized backer rod high-quality impact windows and top quality polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant produce a resilient, versatile seal that manages thermal growth. Too small a bead and it tears under motion. Too huge and it cures poorly. On seaside tasks, I never match dissimilar metals without a barrier, and I always define 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 combination with the water-resistive barrier are essential. If you count on sealant alone, water will discover its method. That moisture may not show up as a drip. It may rot a sill plate slowly, then betray itself as a buckling floor or a musty odor 2 typhoon seasons later.
I have nothing versus properly designed shutters. Accordion shutters that are kept and oiled, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even removable panels saved thoroughly can secure homes effectively. They also assist in certain cases.
Second homes or seasonal leasings where budget is tight often lean on shutters to satisfy the Florida building code windows requirement for safeguarded openings. On specialized openings like a lanai that is hardly ever used in summer season, a clean motorized roll-down can be affordable, particularly if coupling with impact doors and windows in other places stresses the spending plan. For house owners who prepare 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 deployed, and they require action at exactly the time you are handling insurance coverage documents, gas cans, and family logistics. During Typhoon Irma, I watched a next-door neighbor attempt to mount 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 endured with stitches. His living room window did not. Shutters also rattle and can vibrate under sustained winds, in some cases loosening up fasteners over time if not maintained.
For long-lasting owners who want to set it and forget it, effect windows provide typhoon proof windows coverage while preserving daytime and view. The benefit grows valuable once you've experienced one storm season with no prep beyond locking the sash.
South Florida homes combat 2 fights: hidden load from humidity and sensible load from direct solar heat gain. Impact glass upgrades can assist both if specified intelligently.
Low-E impact glass uses microscopically thin metal layers to show infrared energy while letting visible light through. With the right covering stacks, you can block a large portion of convected heat and UV. UV obstruction in laminated systems comes mostly from the interlayer itself, which generally filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, reducing fading of fabrics and flooring. Include the low-E, and you curb the solar heat that drives your AC 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 circulation and keeping the interior glass temperature closer to room temperature, which lowers condensation danger. SHGC drives just how much solar heat goes into. VT affects how intense the interior feels. Balance is crucial. Some property owners desire the crisp, clear look of greater VT, even if it means accepting a few degrees more heat in late afternoon, because their landscaping and roofing system overhangs currently do some shading. Others choose a stronger tint for glare control on waterfront lots that show harsh light.
In practical terms, going from clear single-pane sliders to contemporary low-E laminated double-glazed systems can minimize peak solar gains by 30 to half on the most exposed sides. Couple that with tuned overhangs, light-colored outside surfaces, and a correctly sized variable-speed heating and cooling, and you begin to build resilience. If the grid decreases and you switch to a generator, a lower cooling load indicates a smaller generator and less gallons of fuel.
Miami-Dade Notification of Acceptance, or NOA, is the file you request for. It details the approved setups, sizes, anchors, and pressures evaluated. It is not enough to hear "these are Miami-Dade approved windows" in a display room. Confirm the NOA matches the precise design and options you are buying, consisting of the glazing makeup and hardware. If you are in Broward or Miami-Dade, your permitting office will want this paper trail.
Statewide, the Florida Item Approval system supplies FL numbers that show code compliance. In the rest of the state outside the High Speed Typhoon Zone, Florida building code windows can count on Florida Item Approval without Miami-Dade specific NOAs. Numerous top manufacturers carry both. Where budget plans enable, I choose NOA products even outside the zone because the testing is stiffer.
NFRC labels handle energy metrics. They will not inform you effect performance, however they show U-factor, SHGC, VT, and air leakage. Go for air leak at or below 0.3 cfm/ft TWO. Tighter is better for humidity control, however ensure your home still has actually stabilized ventilation. Sealing the envelope and disregarding fresh air is a dish for indoor air quality complaints.
Impact windows cost more upfront than shutters. There's no spin around that. Installed expenses vary with size, shape, finish, and gain access to. On simple single-family homes, per-opening expenses often land between 1,200 and 3,000 dollars for basic sizes. Large multi-panel sliders, custom arches, and coastal-grade finishes raise the numbers quickly.
Where you recoup value:
If you plan to own the property for five years or more, the mathematics often tilts in favor of impact windows, especially when you factor the intangible of peace of mind. If you prepare to sell within a year and need to reveal compliance quickly, shutters may make more short-term sense. Context matters.

I pay attention to hardware and devices. Multi-point locks on sashes and awnings improve seal compression and security. For sliders, robust tandem rollers in stainless housings move smoother and last longer on sandy patio areas. Take a look at the sill style on moving doors. Weep systems ought to 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 fashion. Reflective movies can contravene of neighborhood watch or produce mirror-like glare toward neighboring homes. In seaside environments, highly reflective glass can puzzle birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Regional pros know which finishings balance efficiency with compliance.
Color stability is a big offer. Dark bronze or black frames look fantastic on contemporary homes, however in Florida sun low-cost surfaces chalk and fade. AAMA 2605-rated coverings offer the best color retention and chalk resistance. I specify them for seaside exposures whenever budgets allow.
Historic districts frequently require profiles that mimic old wood sash sightlines. There are impact-rated windows that fit these requirements, however lead times lengthen and costs climb. Anticipate extra review by architectural boards, and line up a specialist familiar with these submissions.
Condos have another layer of governance. Associations often specify a narrow list of approved items for harmony. They likewise care about noise control between units. If your building sits straight on Collins Avenue or deals with a busy beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated choices. Work 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, require special attention in style pressure, deflection, and running hardware. Not every unit that looks sturdy in a showroom fulfills the wind loads on a ninth-floor balcony. Do not count on catalog optimum sizes. Utilize the NOA tables that represent your site's zone, positive and unfavorable pressures, and mullion combinations if any.
The best projects start with a determined study and exposure analysis. You map each opening, keep in mind the substrate, and recognize any framing irregularities or settlement fractures. During proposition, the specialist shows you the NOA and the Florida Item Approval, notes anchor types, and describes how each opening will be flashed and sealed. They prepare for stucco or drywall repair work, not pretend no damage will occur.
On install day, they remove one opening at a time to keep your home protected. They safeguard floors, pull back window treatments, and cap sprinklers. Old frames come out with 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 photo anchors for the license file, particularly if they will be concealed. After glazing, they water-test with a regulated spray to validate drainage paths and seals. The inspector sees a cool jobsite, clear labels, and documents in order.
Six months later, your windows still close with 2 fingers, locks bite smoothly, and there is no secret rattle throughout thunderstorms. You did not have to call for a roller adjustment after the very first week. That is the standard.
Impact ranking does not equal breakproof. Laminated glass can break under serious effects, however it needs to remain in the frame and hold together. After a storm that sends debris into the glass, you may see star fractures or spidering. The window did its task. Replace the sash or IGU after the event.
Window films do not transform non-impact windows into cyclone impact-resistant windows. They can include shatter resistance, however they do not alternative to an evaluated, anchored system. Your insurer and building department will not count movies as protected openings.
Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient effect windows lower air leakage. That's residential hurricane proof windows terrific, however it increases the importance of an effectively sized HVAC with good dehumidification. If your system is large, the thermostat pleases quickly and fails to pull enough moisture from the air. Ask your a/c pro to check practical heat ratio, air flow, and run time. You want steady, longer cycles, not short bursts.
Maintenance is simple however not optional. Tidy weep holes on sliders, wash salt spray from frames, and lubricate hardware each year with a silicone-based product that will not gum up in heat. Small habits extend lifespan.
There are genuine reasons to mix options. A set of rarely utilized garage windows can keep removable panels to shave budget. A deep-set patio with minimal sun direct exposure might do great with accordion shutters if you prioritize other upgrades like a new roof deck attachment or a fortified garage door. Shutters can likewise safeguard outdoor cooking areas or cabana openings where grease and smoke would age fancy hardware prematurely.

If you pick shutters, invest in quality. Stainless fasteners, smooth tracks, and motors with manual bypasses for roll-downs make a difference. Assign obligation for release and practice when outside of a storm watch. Inventory your hardware. residential window installation The day you require 32 wing nuts is not the early morning you wish to discover you have 29.
Impact windows are not just about making it through the huge one. They improve 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 shorter. You lock the sashes, set storm mode on the alarm, and focus on people instead of panels.
For a number of my clients, that intangible is the choosing factor. They understand storms will come. They also understand life in South Florida is too great to live inside a fortress that just wakes up in August. Miami-Dade authorized windows give you both: a clear view of Biscayne Bay on a breezy February early morning and quiet confidence when the spaghetti designs point our way in September.
If you are weighing the option, start with a site-specific assessment. Match your exposures to design pressures, choose the best laminated glass stack for wind and heat, select frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and work with a team that appreciates the load path. Done right, energy‑efficient effect windows deliver what shutters can not: defense that never ever requests a ladder and a much better home every day of the year.