November 3, 2025

Hurricane-Proof Comfort: Picking Miami-Dade Approved, Energy‑Efficient Impact 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 stock up, and the ritual of transporting ladders to install panels. After twenty years defining, setting up, and repairing building envelopes from Key Largo to Palm Beach, I have actually seen what holds up and what does not. When the objective is real security with year-round convenience, Miami-Dade approved, energy‑efficient effect windows exceed shutters in ways that go beyond storm day. They alter how a home feels in August, how peaceful your living room stays on a Saturday night, and how confident you are when a storm line spins up much faster than predicted.

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

What "Miami-Dade Approved" actually means

Miami-Dade County's Item Control Division sets one of the most difficult benchmarks in the country for developing components exposed to windborne particles. Approval is not a marketing sticker. It is earned through particular laboratory tests that simulate real cyclone conditions.

First comes big rocket effect. 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 very same unit deals with cyclic pressure loading, countless pressurization and depressurization cycles that imitate rapid wind gusts over hours. If the glass stays in the frame without letting the envelope breach, it passes. The distinction between "satisfies Florida building regulations windows" and "Miami-Dade authorized windows" often lives in these test limits. Miami-Dade is simply stiffer, particularly in High Velocity Cyclone Zone requirements, that include Miami-Dade and Broward.

Wind rankings differ by opening size and design pressures, denoted as PSF values. On ocean-facing residential or commercial properties or high-rises, I typically specify units rated at +60/ -80 PSF or greater. Inland or in more safeguarded exposures, ratings in the +45/ -60 PSF variety can suffice, but you size and specification based on the site's wind map, developing height, and surrounding structures. An expert knows that a corner direct exposure at the 2nd story demands various reinforcement than a protected window under a deep porch.

Why impact windows change the everyday 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 absolutely nothing. However they ask you to do work 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 reside in location. You get continuous security, even if a pop-up storm surprises you while you're stuck on US 1. You likewise get advantages every day of the year.

Noise control is the most underappreciated advantage. Laminated effect glass is essentially a sandwich: 2 panes of glass bonded by a resilient interlayer, typically 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 range, in some cases more when coupled with insulated glass units.

Security improves due to the fact that laminated glass withstands forced entry. A robber can shatter the external lite with a hammer, however the interlayer holds the shards. They satisfy a sticky, stubborn membrane rather of a quick path inside. Insurance coverage underwriters understand this, which is why policies typically provide credits for effect windows and doors. In my projects, premiums usually hurricane resistant windows solutions drop 10 to 25 percent, depending on the provider and the number of openings are protected.

Energy efficiency is the 3rd pillar. Energy-efficient effect windows with modern low-E effect glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while maintaining visible light. That suggests less air conditioning demand, especially on west and south direct exposures where the afternoon sun penalizes interiors. In one Coral Gables retrofit, we replaced 1980s single-pane sliders with laminated low-E impact systems. Summertime afternoon peak load visited approximately a ton of cooling, and the home's annual electrical energy use fell between 12 and 18 percent. Results vary with shading, attic insulation, and HVAC efficiency, but the instructions 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 domestic cyclone windows utilize a PVB interlayer glass stack, typically 0.030 to 0.090 inches thick in single or numerous plies. Thicker interlayers enhance impact resistance and sound control, but they include weight and cost. For oceanfront or tall openings, you may see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and stronger than PVB, permitting thinner sections to achieve higher style pressures. For noise-sensitive sites, acoustic PVB solutions tweak the polymer to better take in sound in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz variety, where traffic and voices sit.

Tempered glass windows show up typically in discussions because tempered glass is stronger in bending than annealed glass. That holds true, and tempered lites are typically utilized as the outer or inner ply in an effect system. However tempered alone is not impact-resistant in the typhoon sense. When it stops working, it blows up into small cubes quality impact windows Boca Raton and falls out of the frame, which leaves the opening susceptible. The effect performance originates from laminated construction, not tempering by itself. Numerous systems use a tempered external lite laminated to a hardened inner lite, or both tempered, but always bonded through a PVB or ionoplast interlayer.

Low-E finishes matter for comfort. A soft-coat low-E tuned for South Florida typically 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 short on SHGC and the glass can look gray or green, specifically in bigger openings. The sweet spot depends upon your façade orientation and shading. On east and west elevations, I typically tighten up SHGC and accept a small tint to handle early morning and afternoon blasts. On north elevations, I lean toward greater noticeable transmittance for daylighting.

Frames are the other half of the story. Aluminum frames dominate here due to the fact that they handle big openings and will not swell. Thermal breaks and enhanced glazing gaskets have narrowed the energy gap with vinyl. Premium vinyl impact frames, when enhanced effectively, can carry out well for standard-sized openings and have better insulating values, however I prevent them for really broad sliders or high storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad units look beautiful in older Mediterranean Revival homes, however they require cautious maintenance and clever flashing. The Florida sun ruins low-cost vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum finishes rapidly. Look for powder-coated surfaces ranked for seaside direct exposure, and request written warranty information in salt-air environments.

The concealed hero: installation that appreciates the load path

Window installation can make or break performance. A pricey system installed like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's stress test. The load course is the essence. Effect forces have to travel 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 want stainless or hot-dipped galvanized anchors embedded into solid product. Hollow cells should be grouted or you require to strike the bond beam. Tapcons in soft, unfilled block are a failure waiting to happen. In wood-framed homes, 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 just visual. A correctly sized backer rod and high-quality polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant develop a long lasting, flexible seal that handles thermal growth. Too small a bead and it tears under motion. Too huge and it treatments improperly. On seaside jobs, I never combine different 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 vital. If you depend on sealant alone, water will find its way in. That moisture may disappoint up as a drip. It may rot a sill plate gradually, then betray itself as a buckling flooring or a musty odor 2 typhoon seasons later.

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

I have nothing versus properly designed shutters. Accordion shutters that are kept and lubricated, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even detachable panels saved carefully can protect homes successfully. They likewise help in particular cases.

Second homes or seasonal rentals where spending plan is tight sometimes lean on shutters to meet the Florida building regulations windows requirement for secured openings. On specialized openings like a lanai that is hardly ever utilized in summer, a clean motorized roll-down can be reasonable, especially if pairing with effect windows and doors elsewhere worries the spending 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 trade-offs. They darken the house when released, and they require action at precisely the time you are juggling insurance documents, gas cans, and family logistics. Throughout Cyclone Irma, I saw 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 urgent care waiting space. He made it through with stitches. His living-room window did not. Shutters likewise rattle and can vibrate under continual winds, often loosening up fasteners gradually if not maintained.

For long-lasting owners who wish to set it and forget it, effect windows offer typhoon evidence windows protection while preserving daytime and view. The benefit grows valuable once you have actually experienced one storm season with absolutely no prep beyond locking the sash.

The energy story: how glass specs equate to comfort and bills

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

Low-E effect glass utilizes microscopically thin metal layers to show infrared energy while letting noticeable light through. With the ideal finishing stacks, you can obstruct a large part of radiant heat and UV. UV obstruction in laminated systems comes mainly from the interlayer itself, which generally filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, decreasing fading of fabrics and flooring. Add 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 decreasing nighttime heat circulation and keeping the interior glass temperature closer to space temperature, which reduces condensation danger. SHGC drives how much solar heat gets in. VT influences how bright the interior feels. Balance is crucial. Some property owners want the crisp, clear look of higher VT, even if it implies accepting a couple of degrees more heat in late afternoon, due to the fact that their landscaping and roofing system overhangs currently do some shading. Others prefer a more powerful tint for glare control on waterside lots that reflect extreme light.

In practical terms, going from clear single-pane sliders to modern-day low-E laminated double-glazed units can minimize Boca Raton hurricane proof window installation peak solar gains by 30 to 50 percent on the most exposed sides. Couple that with tuned overhangs, light-colored outside finishes, and a correctly sized variable-speed heating and cooling, and you start to develop resilience. If the grid decreases and you change to a generator, a lower cooling load implies a smaller sized generator and less gallons of fuel.

Reading labels and approvals without getting lost in alphabet soup

Miami-Dade Notification best impact windows Boca Raton of Approval, or NOA, is the document you request. It information the approved setups, sizes, anchors, and pressures evaluated. It is not enough to hear "these are Miami-Dade approved windows" in a showroom. Confirm the NOA matches the precise model and options you are buying, including the glazing makeup and hardware. If you are 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 Velocity Hurricane Zone, Florida building regulations windows can rely on Florida Item Approval without Miami-Dade particular NOAs. Lots of top producers carry both. Where budget plans enable, I prefer NOA items even outside the zone because the screening is stiffer.

NFRC labels deal with energy metrics. They will not inform you effect efficiency, however they reveal U-factor, SHGC, VT, and air leakage. Aim for air leakage at or below 0.3 cfm/ft ². Tighter is much better for humidity control, however make sure your home still has actually balanced ventilation. Sealing the envelope and overlooking fresh air is a recipe for indoor air quality complaints.

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

Impact windows cost more upfront than shutters. There's no spin around that. Set up costs vary with size, shape, finish, and access. On straightforward single-family homes, per-opening costs often land in between 1,200 and 3,000 dollars for standard sizes. Large multi-panel sliders, custom-made arches, and coastal-grade finishes raise the numbers quickly.

Where you recover worth:

  • Insurance credits build up, often 10 to 25 percent off premiums when all openings are protected.
  • Energy savings, generally 8 to 20 percent on yearly cooling costs in older homes after a full window upgrade paired with sealing and attic improvements.
  • Resale appeal, specifically in markets where buyers expect impact windows and doors as a baseline. A home with accordion shutters competes, but a home with storm impact windows shows much better, feels quieter, and normally evaluates stronger.

If you plan to own the residential or commercial property for 5 years or more, the mathematics often tilts in favor of impact windows, particularly when you factor the intangible of peace of mind. If you plan to sell within a year and require to show compliance quickly, shutters may make more short-term sense. Context matters.

Details that separate excellent systems from excellent ones

I focus on hardware and accessories. Multi-point locks on sashes and awnings improve seal compression and security. For sliders, robust tandem rollers in stainless housings slide smoother and last longer on sandy patio areas. Look at the sill style on moving doors. Weep systems must be crafted to drain heavy rainfall without letting wind-driven water blow back in. Ask to see a cutaway sample in the showroom.

Tint local Boca Raton impact windows colors and reflectivity are more than fashion. Reflective movies can run afoul of neighborhood associations or produce mirror-like glare towards neighboring residential or commercial properties. In seaside communities, highly reflective glass can puzzle birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Regional pros understand which coatings balance efficiency with compliance.

Color stability is a big deal. Dark bronze or black frames look wonderful on modern-day homes, but in Florida sun low-cost finishes chalk and fade. AAMA 2605-rated coatings provide the best color retention and chalk resistance. I specify them for coastal direct exposures whenever spending plans allow.

Special cases: historic homes, apartments, and difficult openings

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

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

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

What a tidy task looks like from survey to last inspection

The finest projects begin with a measured study and exposure analysis. You map each opening, keep in mind the substrate, and identify any framing abnormalities or settlement cracks. During proposition, the specialist shows you the NOA and the Florida Product Approval, notes anchor types, and describes how each opening will be flashed and sealed. They plan for stucco or drywall repair work, not pretend no damage will occur.

On install day, they eliminate one opening at a time to keep your home safe and secure. They secure 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 picture anchors for the permit file, specifically if they will be hidden. After glazing, they water-test with a regulated spray to verify drain courses and seals. The inspector sees a cool jobsite, clear labels, and documentation in order.

Six months later on, 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 very first week. That is the standard.

Frequently misunderstood points that cost property owners later

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

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

Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient impact windows reduce air leak. That's terrific, but it increases the significance of a correctly sized a/c with good dehumidification. If your system is extra-large, the thermostat satisfies rapidly and fails to pull enough moisture from the air. Ask your HVAC pro to inspect practical heat ratio, airflow, and run time. You want consistent, longer cycles, not short bursts.

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

When shutters still belong in the conversation

There are genuine factors to mix options. A set of hardly ever utilized garage windows can keep detachable panels to shave budget. A deep-set deck with very little sun exposure might do great with accordion shutters if you prioritize other upgrades like a new roofing system deck attachment or a prepared garage door. Shutters can likewise secure outdoor cooking areas or cabana openings where grease and smoke would age expensive hardware prematurely.

If you pick shutters, buy quality. Stainless fasteners, smooth tracks, and motors with handbook bypasses for roll-downs make a difference. Designate duty for deployment and practice once beyond 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: comfort you can feel on a quiet Tuesday

Impact windows are not just about making it through the huge one. They reshape daily living. The living-room remains cooler and quieter. The a/c cycles calmly rather 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 individuals rather than panels.

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

If you are weighing the option, start with a site-specific evaluation. Match your direct exposures to design pressures, pick the ideal laminated glass stack for wind and heat, choose frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and work with a crew that respects the load course. Done right, energy‑efficient effect windows deliver what shutters can not: defense that never ever 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.