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 method neighbors track tropical waves, the pre-storm rush to stock up, and the ritual of carrying ladders to install panels. After 20 years defining, installing, and fixing building envelopes from Secret Largo to Palm Beach, I have actually seen what holds up and what doesn't. When the goal is real security with year-round comfort, Miami-Dade approved, energy‑efficient effect windows outshine shutters in ways that exceed storm day. They change how a house feels in August, how quiet your living-room stays on a Saturday night, and how confident you are when a storm line spins up faster than predicted.
This is a practical take a look at why lots of South Florida homeowners are moving from shutters to cyclone impact-resistant windows, how to check out the standards behind "Miami-Dade approved," what materials matter, and how to get the installation right the first time.
Miami-Dade County's Product Control Division sets one of the most difficult benchmarks in the country for developing elements exposed to windborne debris. Approval is not a marketing sticker. It is earned through particular laboratory tests that replicate real hurricane conditions.
First comes large rocket impact. A 9-pound 2x4 is contended the glass at roughly 34 miles per hour. That imitates roof tiles, branches, or pieces of fencing that fly in the eyewall. After the impact, the exact same system deals with cyclic pressure loading, countless pressurization and depressurization cycles that simulate rapid wind gusts over hours. If the glass remains in the frame without letting the envelope breach, it passes. The difference between "satisfies Florida building code windows" and "Miami-Dade authorized windows" typically lives in these test thresholds. Miami-Dade is simply stiffer, particularly in High Velocity Typhoon Zone requirements, that include Miami-Dade and Broward.
Wind rankings vary by opening size and design pressures, signified as PSF values. On ocean-facing homes or high-rises, I frequently specify systems rated at +60/ -80 PSF or higher. Inland or in more safeguarded exposures, rankings in the +45/ -60 PSF range can be adequate, however you size and spec based upon the website's wind map, developing height, and surrounding structures. An expert understands that a corner exposure at the second story needs various reinforcement than a protected window under a deep porch.
Hurricane shutters vs impact windows is not a one-to-one comparison. Shutters can fulfill code, and they're much better than nothing. However they ask you to do operate at the worst possible time. When a watch turns to a warning and the projection track tightens, the last thing you want is a ladder, a dead cordless drill, and a missing wing nut.
Impact windows reside in place. You get continuous security, 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 benefit. Laminated impact glass is basically a sandwich: 2 panes of glass bonded by a resilient interlayer, usually PVB interlayer glass or SentryGlas. That interlayer damps noise. On jobs along busy corridors like Biscayne Boulevard or near flight paths, I have actually determined interior noise drops in the 5 to 10 decibel variety, sometimes more when coupled with insulated glass units.
Security enhances because laminated glass withstands forced entry. A burglar can shatter the outer lite with a hammer, but the interlayer holds the fragments. They fulfill a sticky, persistent membrane rather of a fast path inside. Insurance underwriters know this, which is why policies frequently offer credits for effect doors and windows. In my jobs, premiums typically drop 10 to 25 percent, depending upon the carrier and how many openings are protected.
Energy efficiency is the 3rd pillar. Energy-efficient impact windows with modern low-E impact glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while preserving visible light. That implies less a/c demand, particularly on west and south exposures where the afternoon sun punishes interiors. In one Coral Gables retrofit, we replaced 1980s single-pane sliders with laminated low-E impact systems. Summer afternoon peak load dropped by roughly a ton of cooling, and the home's annual electricity use fell between 12 and 18 percent. Outcomes vary with shading, attic insulation, and heating and cooling performance, however the instructions is consistent.
Laminated effect glass is the heart of the system, but not all laminated products are equal.
Most domestic hurricane windows use 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, however they add weight and cost. For oceanfront or tall openings, you might see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and stronger than PVB, permitting thinner sections to attain higher style pressures. For noise-sensitive sites, acoustic PVB formulas fine-tune the polymer to much better absorb noise in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz range, where traffic and voices sit.
Tempered glass windows turn up typically in conversations due to the fact that 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 impact system. But tempered alone is not impact-resistant in the cyclone sense. When it stops working, it explodes into small cubes and falls out of the frame, which leaves the opening susceptible. The effect efficiency comes from laminated building, not tempering by itself. Many systems utilize a tempered outer lite laminated to a hardened inner lite, or both tempered, however always bonded through a PVB or ionoplast interlayer.
Low-E coatings 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 noticeable light transmission around 50 percent or higher. Go too short on SHGC and the glass can look gray or green, especially in bigger openings. The sweet spot depends upon your exterior orientation and shading. On east and west elevations, I typically tighten SHGC and accept a small tint to manage morning and afternoon blasts. On north elevations, I favor higher visible transmittance for daylighting.
Frames are the other half of the story. Aluminum frames dominate here due to the fact that they handle large openings and will not swell. Thermal breaks and enhanced glazing gaskets have actually narrowed the energy space with vinyl. High-quality vinyl effect frames, when enhanced effectively, can carry out well for standard-sized openings and have better insulating values, however I avoid them for really broad sliders or high storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad systems look stunning in older Mediterranean Revival homes, however they require careful maintenance and smart flashing. The Florida sun destroys cheap vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum finishes quickly. Try to find powder-coated finishes ranked for coastal exposure, and demand written guarantee details in salt-air environments.
Window setup can make or break performance. An expensive unit installed like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's stress test. The load path is the crux. Impact forces need to take a trip 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 solid product. Hollow cells should be grouted or you need to hit the bond beam. Tapcons in soft, unfilled block are a failure waiting to take place. 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 simply aesthetic. A correctly sized backer rod and high-quality polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant create a long lasting, versatile seal that manages thermal expansion. Too little a bead and it tears under movement. Too big and it treatments badly. On coastal tasks, I never ever match different metals without a barrier, and I always specify corrosion-resistant fasteners. 10 years later on, you will see who took shortcuts.
Flashing is the other non-negotiable. Pan insulated impact windows flashing at sills, self-adhered membranes at jambs and heads, and integration with the water-resistive barrier are important. If you rely on sealant alone, water will discover its way in. That wetness might not show up as a drip. It might rot a sill plate gradually, then betray itself as a buckling floor or a musty odor 2 hurricane seasons later.
I have absolutely nothing versus well-designed shutters. Accordion shutters that are kept and oiled, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even removable panels stored carefully can secure homes efficiently. They also assist in certain cases.
Second homes or seasonal leasings where spending plan is tight often lean on shutters to meet the Florida building regulations windows requirement for protected openings. On specialized openings like a lanai that is seldom utilized in summer season, a clean motorized roll-down can be sensible, specifically if coupling with effect doors and windows elsewhere stresses the budget. For property owners who plan to move within a year, shutters can be a brief bridge to compliance before a sale.
But shutters bring compromises. They darken your home when deployed, and they require action at exactly the time you are handling insurance coverage papers, gas cans, and household logistics. Throughout Typhoon Irma, I enjoyed a 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 urgent care waiting room. He survived with stitches. His living room window did not. Shutters likewise rattle and can vibrate under continual winds, often loosening up fasteners in time if not maintained.

For long-term owners who wish to set it and forget it, impact windows offer hurricane proof windows coverage while preserving daylight and view. The benefit grows valuable once you have actually experienced one storm season with zero prep beyond locking the sash.
South Florida homes battle 2 battles: latent load from humidity and reasonable load from direct solar heat gain. Impact glass upgrades can assist both if defined intelligently.
Low-E impact glass utilizes microscopically thin metallic layers to show infrared energy while letting visible light through. With the right covering stacks, you can block a big part of convected heat and UV. UV obstruction in laminated systems comes largely from the interlayer itself, which generally filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, decreasing fading of fabrics and flooring. Include the low-E, and you curb the solar heat that drives your air conditioning insane midafternoon.
I assess glass specifications with 3 numbers: U-factor, SHGC, and VT. While U-factor matters more up north, it still helps here window trim by decreasing nighttime heat flow and keeping the interior glass temperature closer to room temperature, which reduces condensation risk. SHGC drives just how much solar heat enters. VT influences how brilliant the interior feels. Balance is key. Some house owners desire the crisp, clear look of greater VT, even if it means 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 harsh light.
In useful terms, going from clear single-pane sliders to modern-day low-E laminated double-glazed units can minimize peak solar gains by 30 to half on the most exposed sides. Couple that with tuned overhangs, light-colored outside surfaces, and an appropriately sized variable-speed heating and cooling, and you begin to build strength. If the grid goes down and you switch to a generator, a lower cooling load implies a smaller sized generator and less gallons of fuel.
Miami-Dade Notification of Approval, or NOA, is the file you ask for. It details the authorized setups, sizes, anchors, and pressures checked. It is inadequate to hear "these are Miami-Dade authorized windows" in a showroom. Verify the NOA matches the exact model and alternatives you are buying, consisting of the glazing makeup and hardware. If you remain in Broward or Miami-Dade, your permitting office will want this paper trail.

Statewide, the Florida Product Approval system supplies FL numbers that reveal code compliance. In the rest of the state outside the High Velocity Cyclone Zone, Florida building code windows can rely on Florida Item Approval without Miami-Dade particular NOAs. Many leading producers bring both. Where budget plans enable, I prefer NOA items even outside the zone since the testing is stiffer.
NFRC labels handle energy metrics. They will not tell 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 ². Tighter is better for humidity control, however make certain your home still has stabilized ventilation. Sealing the envelope and overlooking fresh air is a recipe for indoor air quality complaints.
Impact windows cost more in advance than shutters. There's no spin around that. Set up expenses differ with size, shape, surface, and access. On uncomplicated single-family homes, per-opening expenses frequently land in between 1,200 and 3,000 dollars for basic sizes. Large multi-panel sliders, custom-made arches, and coastal-grade finishes raise the numbers quickly.
Where you recover value:
If you plan to own the property for five years or more, the mathematics frequently tilts in favor of effect windows, particularly when you factor the intangible of assurance. If you plan to sell within a year and need to reveal compliance rapidly, shutters may make more short-term sense. Context matters.
I take notice of hardware and accessories. Multi-point locks on sashes and awnings enhance 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 should 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 fashion. Reflective movies can contravene tempered glass replacement of neighborhood watch or produce mirror-like glare toward surrounding homes. In coastal communities, extremely reflective glass can confuse birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Regional pros know which coatings balance performance with compliance.
Color stability is a huge offer. Dark bronze or black frames look wonderful on modern-day homes, however in Florida sun inexpensive surfaces chalk and fade. AAMA 2605-rated coverings supply the very best color retention and chalk resistance. I specify them for coastal exposures whenever budget plans allow.
Historic districts typically need profiles that mimic 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 professional acquainted with these submissions.
Condos have another layer of governance. Associations sometimes define a narrow list of approved products for harmony. They also appreciate sound control in between systems. If your structure sits straight on Collins Avenue or deals with a hectic beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated alternatives. Work with structure management on staging and lift gain access to. Weekend work windows and minimal parking can add days and dollars.
Large openings, like a 16-foot-wide slider, require unique attention in style pressure, deflection, and operating hardware. Not every unit that looks durable in a display room meets the wind loads on a ninth-floor balcony. Do not depend on catalog optimum sizes. Use the NOA tables that represent your site's zone, favorable and negative pressures, and mullion mixes if any.
The best projects begin with a determined survey and direct exposure analysis. You map each opening, keep in mind the substrate, and recognize any framing abnormalities or settlement fractures. Throughout proposal, the specialist shows you the NOA and the Florida Product 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 house protected. They safeguard floors, pull back window treatments, and cap sprinklers. Old frames bring out care to maintain interior surfaces. New systems get dry-fit, shimmed, and anchored per the schedule. The team checks squareness and diagonals before setting sealant. They photograph anchors for the permit file, specifically if they will be hidden. After glazing, they water-test with a controlled spray to validate drainage courses and seals. The inspector sees a cool jobsite, clear labels, and paperwork in order.
Six months later on, your windows still close with two fingers, locks bite efficiently, and there is no mystery rattle throughout thunderstorms. You did not have to require a roller adjustment after the first week. That is the standard.
Impact score does not equal breakproof. Laminated glass can crack under severe impacts, but it should stay in the frame and hold together. After a storm that sends particles 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 convert non-impact windows into cyclone impact-resistant windows. They can include shatter resistance, however they do not replacement for a checked, anchored system. Your insurer and building department will not count movies as safeguarded openings.
Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient effect windows lower air leak. That's fantastic, however it increases the value of a properly sized a/c with good dehumidification. If your system is extra-large, the thermostat pleases quickly and fails to pull enough moisture from the air. Ask your HVAC pro to check sensible heat ratio, airflow, and run time. You desire stable, longer cycles, not brief bursts.
Maintenance is straightforward however not optional. Clean weep holes on sliders, wash salt spray from frames, and lube hardware yearly with a silicone-based product that will not gum up in heat. Small practices extend lifespan.
There are genuine factors to blend options. A pair of seldom utilized garage windows can keep removable panels to shave budget plan. A deep-set deck with minimal sun exposure might do great with accordion shutters if you prioritize other upgrades like a brand-new roofing deck accessory or a prepared garage door. Shutters can also protect outdoor impact window code requirements kitchen areas or cabana openings where grease and smoke would age elegant hardware prematurely.
If you pick shutters, invest in quality. Stainless fasteners, smooth tracks, and motors with handbook overrides for roll-downs make a distinction. Designate obligation for implementation and practice as soon as outside of a storm watch. Inventory your hardware. The day you need 32 wing nuts is not the early morning you want to find you have 29.
Impact windows are not just about making it through the big 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 much shorter. You lock the sashes, set storm mode on the alarm, and focus on people instead of panels.
For many of my customers, that intangible is the choosing element. They know storms will come. They likewise understand life in South Florida is too good to live inside a fortress that only awakens in August. Miami-Dade approved windows provide you both: a clear view of Biscayne Bay on a breezy February early morning and quiet self-confidence when the spaghetti models point our method September.
If you are weighing the option, start with a site-specific assessment. Match your direct exposures to develop pressures, choose the right laminated glass stack for wind and heat, select frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and work with a crew that appreciates the load course. Done right, energy‑efficient effect windows deliver what shutters can not: defense that never ever requests for a ladder and a much better home every day of the year.