October 18, 2025

Hurricane-Proof Comfort: Selecting 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 mount panels. After twenty years defining, installing, and repairing building envelopes from Secret Largo to Palm Beach, I've seen wood windows what holds up and what doesn't. When the objective is genuine defense with year-round comfort, Miami-Dade approved, energy‑efficient impact windows outshine shutters in manner ins which surpass storm day. They change how a home feels in August, how quiet your living room remains on a Saturday night, and how positive you are when a storm line spins up quicker 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 check out the standards behind "Miami-Dade approved," what products matter, and how to get the setup right the first time.

What "Miami-Dade Approved" in fact means

Miami-Dade County's Product Control Department sets one of the hardest standards in the nation for constructing parts exposed to windborne debris. Approval is not a marketing sticker. It is made through specific lab tests that simulate real cyclone conditions.

First comes big missile effect. A 9-pound 2x4 is contended the glass at approximately 34 miles per hour. That imitates roofing tiles, branches, or pieces of fencing that fly in the eyewall. After the impact, the same unit faces cyclic pressure loading, thousands of pressurization and depressurization cycles that imitate quick wind gusts over hours. If the glass remains in the frame without letting the envelope breach, it passes. The difference between "fulfills Florida building code windows" and "Miami-Dade approved windows" typically resides in these test limits. Miami-Dade is merely stiffer, particularly in High Velocity Cyclone Zone requirements, that include Miami-Dade and Broward.

Wind scores differ by opening size and design pressures, signified as PSF worths. On ocean-facing homes or high-rises, I often define systems rated at +60/ -80 PSF or greater. Inland or in more secured exposures, ratings in the +45/ -60 PSF range can be enough, but you size and specification based upon the website's wind map, constructing height, and surrounding structures. An expert understands that a corner direct exposure at the 2nd story demands various reinforcement than a sheltered window under a deep porch.

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

Hurricane shutters vs effect windows is not a one-to-one contrast. Shutters can fulfill 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 forecast track tightens up, the last thing you desire is a ladder, a dead cordless drill, and a missing wing nut.

Impact windows reside in location. You get constant defense, even if a pop-up storm surprises you while you're stuck on US 1. You also get advantages every day of the year.

Noise control is the most underappreciated advantage. Laminated effect glass is basically a sandwich: two panes of glass bonded by a resilient interlayer, typically PVB interlayer glass or SentryGlas. That interlayer damps sound. On jobs along hectic passages like Biscayne Boulevard or near flight courses, I've measured interior noise drops in the 5 to 10 decibel range, often more when paired with insulated glass units.

Security improves since laminated glass withstands forced entry. A burglar can shatter the outer lite with a hammer, however the interlayer holds the shards. They satisfy a sticky, persistent membrane rather of a quick course inside. Insurance coverage underwriters understand this, which is why policies frequently provide credits for impact doors and windows. In my projects, premiums typically drop 10 to 25 percent, depending upon the provider and the number of openings are protected.

Energy efficiency is the 3rd pillar. Energy-efficient impact windows with contemporary low-E impact glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while maintaining noticeable light. That means less cooling need, especially on west and south direct exposures where the afternoon sun penalizes interiors. In one Coral Gables retrofit, we changed 1980s single-pane sliders with laminated low-E impact systems. Summer afternoon peak load dropped by roughly a lots of cooling, and the home's yearly electricity usage fell in between 12 and 18 percent. Outcomes vary with shading, attic insulation, and HVAC efficiency, however the direction is consistent.

Material choices that matter: glass, interlayers, and frames

Laminated effect glass is the heart of the system, however not all laminated items are equal.

Most residential typhoon windows utilize a PVB interlayer glass stack, typically 0.030 to 0.090 inches thick in single or several plies. Thicker interlayers enhance effect resistance and sound control, however 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 accomplish higher style pressures. For noise-sensitive websites, acoustic PVB formulations fine-tune the polymer to much better absorb sound in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz range, where traffic and voices sit.

Tempered glass windows show up frequently in discussions since tempered glass is stronger in bending than annealed glass. That's true, and tempered lites are commonly used as the outer or inner ply in an effect unit. However tempered alone is not impact-resistant in the typhoon sense. When it stops working, it takes off into small cubes and falls out of the frame, which leaves the opening susceptible. The impact efficiency comes from laminated construction, not tempering by itself. Numerous systems use a tempered outer lite laminated to a hardened inner lite, or both tempered, but always bonded through a PVB or ionoplast interlayer.

Low-E finishings matter for convenience. 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 noticeable light transmission around 50 percent or greater. Go too low on SHGC and the glass can look gray or green, particularly in bigger openings. The sweet area depends upon your façade orientation and shading. On east and west elevations, I typically tighten SHGC and accept a slight tint to manage early 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 deal with large openings and will not swell. Thermal breaks and enhanced glazing gaskets have actually narrowed the energy gap with vinyl. High-quality vinyl effect frames, when reinforced correctly, can perform well for standard-sized openings and have much better insulating values, however I prevent them for very large sliders or tall storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad units look stunning in older Mediterranean Revival homes, but they require cautious maintenance and clever flashing. The Florida sun destroys cheap vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum surfaces rapidly. Search for powder-coated surfaces rated for seaside exposure, and request composed warranty details in salt-air environments.

The hidden hero: setup that respects the load path

Window installation can make or break efficiency. A pricey unit set up like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's stress test. The load course is the core. Impact forces have to take a trip from the glass through the frame, to the anchors, into the substrate, and then into the structure's framing or masonry.

In concrete block building, 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 occur. In wood-framed homes, structural screws must bite into solid 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. An effectively sized backer rod and high-quality polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant create a durable, versatile seal that deals with thermal growth. Too small a bead and it tears under movement. Too big and it remedies inadequately. On coastal jobs, I never pair different metals without a barrier, and I always specify corrosion-resistant fasteners. Ten years later on, you will see who took shortcuts.

Flashing is the other non-negotiable. Pan flashing at sills, self-adhered membranes at jambs and heads, and combination with the water-resistive barrier are essential. If you rely on sealant alone, water will find its method. That moisture might not show up as a drip. It may rot a sill plate gradually, then betray itself as a buckling floor or a moldy smell two cyclone seasons later.

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

I have absolutely nothing against well-designed shutters. Accordion shutters that are maintained and oiled, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even removable panels kept thoroughly can safeguard homes efficiently. They also assist in particular cases.

Second homes or seasonal leasings where budget plan is tight in some cases lean on shutters to satisfy the Florida building code windows requirement for safeguarded openings. On specialized openings like a lanai that is rarely used in summer, a clean motorized roll-down can be reasonable, especially if pairing with impact windows and doors elsewhere worries the budget. For house owners who prepare to move within a year, shutters can be a short bridge to compliance before a sale.

But shutters bring trade-offs. They darken the house when released, and they need action at precisely the time you are handling insurance documents, gas cans, and family logistics. During Typhoon Irma, I enjoyed a neighbor attempt to install steel panels hours before landfall. The ladder sank in saturated soil, a panel slipped, and we spent the next hour in the immediate care waiting room. He survived with stitches. His living-room window did not. Shutters likewise rattle and can vibrate under sustained winds, sometimes loosening fasteners over time if not maintained.

For long-term owners who wish to set it and forget it, impact windows offer typhoon evidence windows coverage while protecting 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 specifications translate 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 defined intelligently.

Low-E effect glass utilizes microscopically thin metallic layers to reflect infrared energy while letting noticeable light through. With the ideal finish stacks, you can obstruct a large part of radiant heat and UV. UV obstruction in laminated units comes largely from the interlayer itself, which normally filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, reducing fading of fabrics and flooring. Add the low-E, and you suppress the solar heat that drives your air conditioning insane midafternoon.

I evaluate 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 flow and keeping the interior glass temperature level closer to room temperature level, which minimizes condensation threat. SHGC drives just how much solar heat goes into. VT affects how brilliant the interior feels. Balance is key. Some house owners desire the crisp, clear look of greater VT, even if it suggests accepting a couple of degrees more heat in late afternoon, due to the fact that their landscaping and roof overhangs already do some shading. Others choose a more powerful tint for glare control on waterfront lots that reflect extreme light.

In useful terms, going from clear single-pane sliders to modern low-E laminated double-glazed systems can decrease peak solar gains by 30 to 50 percent on the most exposed sides. Couple that with tuned overhangs, light-colored exterior surfaces, and a correctly sized variable-speed heating and cooling, and you begin to construct resilience. If the grid decreases and you switch to a generator, a lower cooling load implies a smaller 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 ask for. It information the authorized configurations, sizes, anchors, and pressures tested. It is insufficient to hear "these are Miami-Dade authorized windows" in a showroom. Validate the NOA matches the precise design and choices you are purchasing, including the glazing makeup and hardware. If you are in Broward or Miami-Dade, your permitting workplace will want this paper trail.

Statewide, the Florida Product Approval system supplies FL numbers that show code compliance. In the remainder of the state outside the High Speed Cyclone Zone, Florida building code windows can count on Florida Product Approval without Miami-Dade specific NOAs. Lots of top producers bring both. Where budgets permit, I choose NOA items even outside the zone due to the fact that the screening is stiffer.

NFRC labels handle energy metrics. They won't inform you impact performance, however they reveal U-factor, SHGC, VT, and air leakage. Aim for air leak at or listed below 0.3 cfm/ft TWO. Tighter is much better for humidity control, but make certain your home still has stabilized ventilation. Sealing the envelope and neglecting fresh air is a recipe for indoor air quality complaints.

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

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 uncomplicated single-family homes, per-opening expenses frequently land in between 1,200 and 3,000 dollars for standard sizes. Big multi-panel sliders, customized arches, and coastal-grade surfaces raise the numbers quickly.

Where you recover value:

  • Insurance credits accumulate, typically 10 to 25 percent off premiums when all openings are protected.
  • Energy cost savings, normally 8 to 20 percent on yearly cooling costs in older homes after a complete window upgrade paired with sealing and attic improvements.
  • Resale appeal, specifically in markets where buyers expect effect doors and windows as a baseline. A home with accordion shutters contends, however a home with storm impact windows shows better, feels quieter, and usually assesses stronger.

If you plan to own the property for five years or more, the mathematics frequently tilts in favor of impact windows, particularly when you factor the intangible of peace of mind. If you prepare to sell within a year and require to reveal compliance rapidly, shutters might make more short-term sense. Context matters.

Details that separate great 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 real estates move smoother and last longer on sandy patio areas. Look at the sill style on sliding doors. Weep systems need to be engineered to drain heavy rains without letting wind-driven water blow back in. Ask to see a cutaway sample in the showroom.

Tint colors and reflectivity are more than style. Reflective films can run afoul of neighborhood watch or produce mirror-like glare toward surrounding homes. In seaside communities, extremely reflective glass can confuse birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Local pros know which coverings balance performance with compliance.

Color stability is a big offer. Dark bronze or black frames look fantastic on contemporary homes, but in Florida sun cheap finishes chalk and fade. AAMA 2605-rated coverings offer the very best color retention and chalk resistance. I specify them for coastal exposures whenever budgets allow.

Special cases: historic homes, condos, and tricky openings

Historic districts frequently need profiles that simulate old wood sash sightlines. There are impact-rated windows that fit these requirements, but lead times lengthen and costs climb. Anticipate extra review by architectural boards, and line up a contractor knowledgeable about these submissions.

Condos have another layer of governance. Associations in some cases specify a narrow list of authorized items for harmony. They likewise care about sound control between systems. If your structure sits straight on Collins Avenue or faces a hectic beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated choices. Deal with structure management on staging and lift access. Weekend work windows and restricted parking can include days and dollars.

Large openings, like a 16-foot-wide slider, require special attention in style pressure, deflection, and running hardware. Not every unit that looks durable in a showroom satisfies the wind loads on a ninth-floor terrace. Do not count on brochure optimum sizes. Use the NOA tables that correspond to your website's zone, positive and unfavorable pressures, and mullion combinations if any.

What a tidy job appears like from survey to last inspection

The finest jobs start with a measured survey and exposure analysis. You map each opening, note the substrate, and determine any framing irregularities or settlement fractures. Throughout proposal, the professional shows you the NOA and the Florida Item Approval, lists anchor types, and explains 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 the house secure. They protect floorings, draw back window treatments, and cap sprinklers. Old frames come out with care to protect interior finishes. New systems get dry-fit, shimmed, and anchored per the schedule. The crew checks squareness and diagonals before setting sealant. They photograph anchors for the license file, particularly if they will be concealed. After glazing, they water-test with a regulated spray to verify drain paths and seals. The inspector sees a cool jobsite, clear labels, and paperwork in order.

Six months later, your windows still close with 2 fingers, locks bite efficiently, and there is no secret rattle during thunderstorms. You did not have to require a roller modification after the very first week. That is the standard.

Frequently misunderstood points that cost house owners later

Impact rating does not equal breakproof. Laminated glass can split under serious effects, but it must stay in the frame and hold together. After a storm that sends out particles into the glass, you might see star cracks or spidering. The window did its job. Change the sash or IGU after the event.

Window films do not transform non-impact windows into hurricane impact-resistant windows. They can add shatter resistance, however they do not alternative to an evaluated, anchored system. Your insurer and building department will not count films as safeguarded openings.

Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient effect windows minimize air leakage. That's terrific, but it increases the importance of an effectively sized HVAC with great dehumidification. If your system is large, the thermostat pleases rapidly and stops working to pull enough moisture from the air. Ask your HVAC pro to check reasonable heat ratio, airflow, and run time. You desire constant, longer cycles, not short bursts.

Maintenance is simple but not optional. Clean weep holes on sliders, wash salt spray from frames, and lube hardware every year 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 reasons to mix services. A pair of seldom used garage windows can keep removable panels to shave budget. A deep-set porch with very little sun exposure might do great with accordion shutters if you prioritize other upgrades like a brand-new roofing deck accessory or a fortified garage door. Shutters can likewise protect outside kitchen areas or cabana openings where grease and smoke would age fancy hardware prematurely.

If you choose shutters, invest in quality. Stainless fasteners, smooth tracks, and motors with handbook bypasses for roll-downs make a difference. Appoint duty for implementation 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: peace of mind you can feel on a quiet Tuesday

Impact windows are not only about surviving the big one. They improve 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 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 focus on people instead of panels.

For a number of my clients, that intangible is the deciding factor. They know storms will come. They also know life in South Florida is too excellent to live inside a fortress that just gets up in August. Miami-Dade authorized windows give you both: a clear view of Biscayne Bay on a breezy February morning and peaceful 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 develop pressures, pick the best laminated glass stack for wind and heat, select frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and hire a crew that appreciates the load course. Done right, energy‑efficient impact windows provide what shutters can not: protection that never ever requests for a ladder and a 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.