November 4, 2025

Hurricane-Proof Peace of Mind: 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
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STS Impact Windows and Doors has opening hours Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm
STS Impact Windows and Doors was awarded South Florida Veteran Owned Business Excellence Award
STS Impact Windows and Doors was awarded Best Hurricane Protection Provider 2023 Florida
STS Impact Windows and Doors was awarded Angis Super Service Award for Window Installation

People Also Ask about STS Impact Windows and Doors

What does STS Impact Windows and Doors do?

STS Impact Windows and Doors specializes in hurricane protection solutions, offering high-quality impact windows, storm-resistant doors, custom storefronts, and professional roofing services. With expert installation, full transparency, and outstanding customer service, the company ensures homes and businesses stay secure and energy-efficient.

Where is STS Impact Windows and Doors located?

STS Impact Windows and Doors is located at 1000 Holland Dr Suite 10, Boca Raton, FL 33487, United States. The company proudly serves residential and commercial clients across Florida and throughout the United States, delivering reliable storm protection solutions. View their location on Google Maps.

Is STS Impact Windows and Doors a veteran-owned business?

Yes, STS Impact Windows and Doors is a veteran-owned company recognized for its dedication, integrity, and service to the community. This background adds an extra level of trust and reliability for homeowners and businesses seeking storm protection solutions.

What services does STS Impact Windows and Doors provide?

STS Impact Windows and Doors provides a wide range of services including the installation of hurricane impact windows, impact doors, custom commercial storefronts, and roofing services. Each project is backed by expert craftsmanship, a 3-year installation warranty, and over 25 years of industry experience.

Who does STS Impact Windows and Doors serve?

The company proudly serves both residential homeowners and commercial property owners. From protecting family homes to fortifying businesses with hurricane-rated storefronts, STS Impact Windows and Doors delivers customized solutions that ensure safety, durability, and efficiency.

What are the benefits of choosing STS Impact Windows and Doors?

Clients benefit from the company’s focus on quality, reliability, and efficiency. Their impact-resistant windows and doors not only enhance security and hurricane protection but also improve energy efficiency, reduce noise, and increase property value. With a 3-year installation warranty, customers can trust in long-term performance and peace of mind.

What awards has STS Impact Windows and Doors won?

STS Impact Windows and Doors has been recognized with multiple industry honors, including the South Florida Veteran Owned Business Excellence Award, Best Hurricane Protection Provider 2023 Florida, and the Angi’s Super Service Award for Window Installation. These awards highlight their commitment to excellence, customer satisfaction, and industry leadership.

How can I contact STS Impact Windows and Doors?

You can reach STS Impact Windows and Doors by phone at 561-600-1018 or visit their website at stswindows.com. They are open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm and are available on Facebook and Instagram for updates and project showcases.


Business Name: STS Impact Windows & Doors
Address: 1000 Holland Dr #10, Boca Raton, FL 33487, United States
Phone: (561)-600-1018

Hurricane season shapes life along Florida's coasts. You feel it in the way next-door neighbors track tropical waves, the pre-storm rush to stockpile, and the ritual of transporting ladders to mount panels. After twenty years defining, setting up, and fixing building envelopes from Key Largo to Palm Beach, I've seen what holds up and what doesn't. When the goal is real protection with year-round convenience, Miami-Dade approved, energy‑efficient effect windows outshine shutters in manner ins which surpass storm day. They change how a house feels in August, how peaceful your living-room stays 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 lots of South Florida property owners are moving from shutters to cyclone impact-resistant windows, how to check out the standards behind "Miami-Dade approved," what products 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 among the toughest criteria in the nation for developing components exposed to windborne debris. Approval is not a marketing sticker. It is earned through particular lab tests that mimic real typhoon conditions.

First comes large rocket impact. A 9-pound 2x4 is shot at the glass at roughly 34 miles per hour. That mimics roofing tiles, branches, or pieces of fencing that fly in the eyewall. After the effect, the exact same unit faces cyclic pressure loading, thousands of 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 in between "fulfills Florida building code windows" and "Miami-Dade authorized windows" typically lives in these test limits. Miami-Dade is simply stiffer, especially in High Speed Cyclone Zone requirements, that include Miami-Dade and Broward.

Wind rankings differ by opening size and design pressures, signified as PSF values. On ocean-facing homes or high-rises, I frequently specify units ranked at +60/ -80 PSF or greater. Inland or in more protected exposures, ratings in the +45/ -60 PSF variety can be sufficient, but you size and spec based upon the website's wind map, constructing height, and surrounding structures. A professional knows that a corner exposure at the 2nd story needs various support than a sheltered window under a deep porch.

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

Hurricane shutters vs impact windows is not a one-to-one contrast. Shutters can satisfy code, and they're much better than nothing. However they ask you to do work at the worst possible time. When a watch turns to a caution and the projection track tightens up, the last thing you want is a ladder, a dead cordless drill, and a missing wing nut.

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

Noise control is the most underappreciated advantage. 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 jobs along hectic corridors like Biscayne Boulevard or near flight paths, I've determined interior noise drops in the 5 to 10 decibel variety, often more when coupled with insulated glass units.

Security improves due to the fact that laminated glass resists required entry. A burglar can shatter the outer lite with a hammer, however the interlayer holds the fragments. They satisfy a sticky, persistent membrane rather of a fast course inside. Insurance coverage underwriters understand this, which is why policies typically offer credits for effect doors and windows. In my projects, premiums usually drop 10 to 25 percent, depending upon the provider and how many openings are protected.

Energy performance is the third pillar. Energy-efficient effect windows with modern-day low-E impact glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while preserving visible light. That indicates less air conditioning 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 impact systems. Summertime afternoon peak load dropped by approximately a ton of cooling, and the home's yearly electricity use fell between 12 and 18 percent. Results vary with shading, attic insulation, and a/c performance, but the direction is consistent.

Material options that matter: glass, interlayers, and frames

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

Most domestic typhoon windows use a PVB interlayer glass stack, typically 0.030 to 0.090 inches thick in single or multiple plies. Thicker interlayers enhance effect resistance and sound control, but they include weight and cost. For oceanfront or tall openings, you might see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and more powerful than PVB, permitting thinner sections to accomplish greater style pressures. For noise-sensitive sites, acoustic PVB formulations tweak the polymer to better absorb sound in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz variety, where traffic and voices sit.

Tempered glass windows turn up frequently in conversations since tempered glass is stronger in flexing than annealed glass. That's true, and tempered lites are frequently utilized as the outer or inner ply in an effect 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 efficiency originates from laminated construction, not tempering by itself. Many systems use a tempered outer lite laminated to a hardened inner lite, or both tempered, however constantly bonded through a PVB or ionoplast interlayer.

Low-E coverings matter for comfort. A soft-coat low-E tuned for South Florida usually 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 exterior orientation and shading. On east and west elevations, I typically tighten SHGC and accept a slight tint to manage morning and afternoon blasts. On north elevations, I lean toward greater visible transmittance for daylighting.

Frames are the other half of the story. Aluminum frames control here due to the fact that they manage large openings and won't swell. Thermal breaks and enhanced glazing gaskets have actually narrowed the energy space with vinyl. Top quality vinyl effect frames, when enhanced appropriately, can carry out well for standard-sized openings and have better insulating values, however I prevent them for extremely large sliders or high storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad systems look gorgeous in older Mediterranean Revival homes, but they demand cautious maintenance and smart impact windows in Boca Raton 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 demand composed warranty details in salt-air environments.

The surprise hero: installation that respects the load path

Window installation can make or break efficiency. An expensive unit set up like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's tension test. The load path is the crux. Effect forces need 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 strong material. Hollow cells must be grouted or you need to strike the bond beam. Tapcons in soft, unfilled block are a failure waiting to happen. In wood-framed homes, structural screws should bite into solid trimmers, not just sheathing. Shimming and plumb alignment matter so the locks engage cleanly and the weatherstripping compresses evenly.

The sealant joint is not simply aesthetic. An appropriately sized backer rod and top quality polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant produce a durable, flexible seal that manages thermal expansion. Too small a bead and it tears under movement. Too huge and it remedies poorly. On seaside jobs, I never match 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 combination with the water-resistive barrier are essential. If you rely on sealant alone, water will find its method. That moisture might disappoint up as a drip. It might rot a sill plate gradually, then betray itself as a buckling flooring or a moldy smell 2 typhoon seasons later.

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

I have nothing versus well-designed shutters. Accordion shutters that are preserved and lubricated, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even detachable panels saved thoroughly can safeguard homes effectively. They likewise assist in particular cases.

Second homes or seasonal rentals where budget is tight in some cases lean on shutters to satisfy the Florida building regulations windows requirement for safeguarded openings. On specialized openings like a lanai that is rarely utilized in summer, a clean motorized roll-down can be reasonable, particularly if pairing with effect doors and windows somewhere else stresses the budget plan. For homeowners who plan to move within a year, shutters can be a short bridge to compliance before a sale.

But shutters bring trade-offs. They darken your home when deployed, and they require action at specifically the time you are handling insurance documents, gas cans, and family logistics. During 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 spent the next hour in the immediate care waiting space. He made it through with stitches. His living room window did not. Shutters also rattle and can vibrate under sustained winds, in some cases loosening up fasteners gradually if not maintained.

For long-term owners who want to set it and forget it, impact windows offer hurricane evidence windows coverage while preserving daytime and view. The convenience grows important once you've experienced one storm season with absolutely no preparation beyond locking the sash.

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

South Florida homes fight 2 fights: 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 metal layers to reflect infrared energy while letting visible light through. With the right coating stacks, you can obstruct a large portion of convected heat and UV. UV blockage in laminated units comes mainly from the interlayer itself, which generally filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, minimizing fading of materials and floor covering. Add the low-E, and you suppress the solar heat that drives your AC insane midafternoon.

I examine glass specifications with three numbers: U-factor, SHGC, and VT. While U-factor matters more up north, it still assists here by lowering nighttime heat circulation and keeping the interior glass temperature level closer to space temperature level, which lowers condensation threat. SHGC drives how much solar heat gets in. VT influences how bright the interior feels. Balance is essential. Some house owners want the crisp, clear look of greater VT, even if it indicates accepting a few degrees Boca Raton impact resistant windows more heat in late afternoon, because their landscaping and roofing system overhangs already do some shading. Others prefer a stronger tint for glare control on waterfront lots that show severe 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 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 strength. If the grid goes down and you change to a generator, a lower cooling load indicates a smaller generator and less gallons of fuel.

Reading labels and approvals without getting lost in alphabet soup

Miami-Dade Notification of Approval, or NOA, is the document you request for. It details the authorized configurations, sizes, anchors, and pressures evaluated. It is insufficient to hear "these are Miami-Dade approved windows" in a showroom. Validate the NOA matches the precise design and alternatives you are purchasing, consisting of the glazing makeup and hardware. If you are in Broward or Miami-Dade, your allowing workplace will want this paper trail.

Statewide, the Florida Item Approval system offers FL numbers that reveal code compliance. In the rest of the state outside the High Velocity Hurricane Zone, Florida building code windows can depend on Florida Item Approval without Miami-Dade specific NOAs. Many leading makers carry both. Where budget plans permit, I choose NOA items even outside the zone because the screening is stiffer.

NFRC labels manage energy buy Boca Raton impact windows metrics. They will not tell you effect performance, but they reveal U-factor, SHGC, VT, and air leak. Aim for air leak at or listed below 0.3 cfm/ft TWO. Tighter is much better for humidity control, but make sure your home still has stabilized ventilation. Sealing the envelope and ignoring fresh air is a dish for indoor air quality complaints.

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

Impact windows cost more upfront than shutters. There's no spin around that. Installed costs differ with size, shape, surface, and gain access to. On straightforward single-family homes, per-opening expenses typically land between 1,200 and 3,000 dollars for standard sizes. Big multi-panel sliders, custom arches, and coastal-grade finishes raise the numbers quickly.

Where you recover value:

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

If you plan to own the residential or commercial property for five years or more, the math typically tilts in favor of effect windows, especially when you factor the intangible of assurance. If you plan to offer within a year and need to reveal compliance rapidly, shutters may make more short-term sense. Context matters.

Details that separate excellent systems from fantastic ones

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

Tint colors and reflectivity are more than fashion. Reflective films can contravene of neighborhood associations or produce mirror-like glare towards surrounding properties. In seaside ecosystems, extremely reflective glass can puzzle birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Local pros understand which coatings balance performance with compliance.

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

Special cases: historical homes, condominiums, and difficult openings

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

Condos have another layer of governance. Associations in some cases specify a narrow list of authorized products for harmony. They likewise appreciate sound control in between systems. If your structure sits straight on Collins Opportunity or deals with a busy beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated alternatives. Deal with structure management on staging and lift gain access to. Weekend work windows and limited parking can include days and dollars.

Large openings, like a 16-foot-wide slider, require unique attention in style pressure, deflection, and running hardware. Not every unit that looks strong in a display room satisfies the wind loads on a ninth-floor terrace. Do not rely on catalog maximum sizes. Utilize the NOA tables that correspond to your site's zone, favorable and unfavorable pressures, and mullion mixes if any.

What a clean project appears like from survey to last inspection

The finest tasks begin with a measured survey and exposure analysis. You map each opening, note the substrate, and determine any framing abnormalities or settlement fractures. Throughout proposal, the professional reveals you the NOA and the Florida Item Approval, lists anchor types, and explains how each opening will be flashed and sealed. They prepare for stucco or drywall repair work, not pretend no damage will occur.

On set up day, they get rid of one opening at a time to keep your home secure. They safeguard floors, draw back window treatments, and cap sprinklers. Old frames bring out care to preserve interior finishes. 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, particularly 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 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 first week. That is the standard.

Frequently misconstrued points that cost property owners later

Impact ranking does not equal breakproof. Laminated glass can split under extreme effects, however 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. 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 insurance company and structure department will not count movies as safeguarded openings.

Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient impact windows reduce air leakage. That's terrific, but it increases the significance of an effectively sized a/c with good dehumidification. If your system is large, the thermostat pleases rapidly and fails to pull enough moisture from the air. Ask your heating and cooling pro to check sensible heat ratio, airflow, and run time. You desire stable, longer cycles, not short bursts.

Maintenance is simple but not optional. Clean weep holes on best window installation options Boca Raton sliders, wash salt spray from frames, and oil 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 factors to blend options. A set of seldom used garage windows can keep detachable panels to shave budget. A deep-set patio with minimal sun exposure might do fine with accordion shutters if you prioritize other upgrades like a brand-new roofing deck accessory or a prepared garage door. Shutters can likewise protect outdoor cooking areas or cabana openings where grease and smoke would age expensive hardware prematurely.

If you choose shutters, purchase quality. Stainless fasteners, smooth tracks, and motors with manual overrides for roll-downs make a distinction. Assign duty for deployment and practice once beyond a storm watch. Inventory your hardware. The day you need 32 wing nuts is not the morning you want to discover you have 29.

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

Impact windows are not just about making it through the huge one. They improve daily living. The living room stays cooler and quieter. The AC 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 individuals instead of panels.

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

If you are weighing the choice, start with a site-specific evaluation. Match your exposures to design pressures, pick the right laminated glass stack for wind and heat, select frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and work with a team that appreciates the load course. Done right, energy‑efficient effect windows provide what shutters can buy hurricane proof windows Boca Raton not: security that never requests 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.