October 18, 2025

Hurricane-Proof Assurance: Choosing 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 hauling ladders to mount panels. After two decades specifying, installing, and troubleshooting building envelopes from Key Largo to Palm Beach, I've seen what holds up and what does not. When the objective is real defense with year-round comfort, Miami-Dade authorized, energy‑efficient effect windows exceed shutters in ways that exceed 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 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 authorized," what products matter, and how to get the setup right the very first time.

What "Miami-Dade Approved" actually means

Miami-Dade County's Product Control Division sets one of the hardest benchmarks in the nation for building parts exposed to windborne particles. Approval is not a marketing sticker label. It is earned through particular lab tests that imitate real hurricane conditions.

First comes big rocket impact. A 9-pound 2x4 is contended the glass at roughly 34 miles per hour. That imitates roofing system tiles, branches, or pieces of fencing that fly in the eyewall. After the effect, the very same unit faces cyclic pressure loading, thousands of 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 in between "fulfills Florida building regulations windows" and "Miami-Dade approved windows" frequently resides in these test limits. Miami-Dade is just stiffer, especially in High Speed Cyclone Zone requirements, that include Miami-Dade and Broward.

Wind ratings differ by opening size and style pressures, represented as PSF values. On ocean-facing homes or high-rises, I frequently define units rated at +60/ -80 PSF or higher. Inland or in more protected direct exposures, scores in the +45/ -60 PSF variety can be enough, but you size and specification based upon the site's wind map, constructing height, and surrounding structures. A professional knows that a corner exposure at the second story needs different reinforcement than a protected window under a deep porch.

Why impact windows alter the everyday experience, not simply storm season

Hurricane shutters vs impact windows is not a one-to-one comparison. Shutters can satisfy code, and they're much better than nothing. But 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 place. You get constant protection, even if a pop-up storm surprises you while you're stuck on United States 1. You likewise get advantages every day of the year.

Noise control is the most underappreciated benefit. Laminated impact glass is basically a sandwich: two panes of glass bonded by a durable interlayer, generally PVB interlayer glass or SentryGlas. That interlayer damps sound. On tasks along hectic corridors like Biscayne Boulevard or near flight paths, I've measured interior noise drops in the 5 to 10 decibel range, often more when paired with insulated glass units.

Security improves because laminated glass resists required entry. An intruder can shatter the external lite with a hammer, however the interlayer holds the fragments. They satisfy a sticky, stubborn 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 tasks, premiums generally drop 10 to 25 percent, depending upon the provider and how many openings are protected.

Energy performance is the 3rd pillar. Energy-efficient effect windows with contemporary low-E effect glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while preserving visible light. That means less a/c demand, especially on west and south exposures where the afternoon sun punishes interiors. In one Coral Gables retrofit, we changed 1980s single-pane sliders with laminated low-E impact units. Summer afternoon peak load stopped by approximately a lots of cooling, and the home's yearly electricity use fell in between 12 and 18 percent. Results differ with shading, attic insulation, and heating and cooling performance, but the instructions is consistent.

Material choices that matter: glass, interlayers, and frames

Laminated effect glass is the heart of the system, but 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 numerous plies. Thicker interlayers improve impact resistance and sound control, but they include weight and cost. For oceanfront or high openings, you might see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and more powerful than PVB, permitting thinner areas to accomplish greater design pressures. For noise-sensitive websites, acoustic PVB formulations fine-tune the polymer to much better take in noise in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz variety, where traffic and voices sit.

Tempered glass windows come up often in conversations since tempered glass is stronger in flexing than annealed glass. That holds true, and tempered lites are frequently used as the outer or inner ply in an impact unit. However tempered alone is not impact-resistant in the cyclone sense. When it fails, it takes off into small cubes and falls out of the frame, which leaves the opening susceptible. The effect performance comes from laminated building and construction, not tempering by itself. Lots of systems utilize a tempered outer lite laminated to an annealed inner lite, or both tempered, but always bonded through a PVB or ionoplast interlayer.

Low-E finishings matter for comfort. A soft-coat low-E tuned for South Florida normally targets a solar heat gain coefficient in the 0.25 to 0.35 variety while keeping noticeable light transmission around 50 percent or higher. Go too low on SHGC and the glass can look gray or green, specifically in bigger openings. The sweet area depends upon your exterior orientation and shading. On east and west elevations, I typically tighten up SHGC and accept a minor tint to handle morning and afternoon blasts. On north elevations, I lean toward higher visible transmittance for daylighting.

Frames are the other half of the story. Aluminum frames control here since they deal with big openings and won't swell. Thermal breaks and enhanced glazing gaskets have actually narrowed the energy gap with vinyl. Top quality vinyl impact frames, when strengthened correctly, can carry out well for standard-sized openings and have better insulating worths, accordion shutters but I prevent them for really broad sliders or tall storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad systems look stunning in older Mediterranean Revival homes, but they demand mindful maintenance and smart flashing. The Florida sun damages low-cost vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum finishes quickly. Search for powder-coated finishes rated for coastal exposure, and request composed warranty information in salt-air environments.

The concealed hero: installation that respects the load path

Window setup can make or break performance. A costly system set up like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's tension test. The load course is the essence. Impact forces need to travel from the glass through the frame, to the anchors, into the substrate, and after that into the structure's framing or masonry.

In concrete block building and construction, you desire storm windows stainless or hot-dipped galvanized anchors embedded into solid product. Hollow cells should be grouted or you need to strike the bond beam. Tapcons in soft, unfilled block are a failure waiting to happen. In wood-framed houses, structural screws must bite into solid trimmers, not simply sheathing. Shimming and plumb positioning matter so the locks engage cleanly and the weatherstripping compresses evenly.

The sealant joint is not just aesthetic. A correctly sized backer rod and top quality polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant create a durable, flexible seal that manages thermal growth. Too small a bead and it tears under motion. Too big and it cures poorly. On coastal tasks, I never ever match dissimilar metals without a barrier, and I constantly specify corrosion-resistant fasteners. 10 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 integration with the water-resistive barrier are crucial. If you count on sealant alone, water will discover its way in. That wetness may disappoint up as a drip. It might rot a sill plate gradually, then betray itself as a buckling flooring or a musty smell two cyclone seasons later.

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

I have absolutely nothing versus well-designed shutters. Accordion shutters that are preserved and lubricated, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even detachable panels kept carefully can secure homes effectively. They also help in specific cases.

Second homes or seasonal rentals where budget 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 used in summer season, a clean motorized roll-down can be affordable, particularly if coupling with impact doors and windows in other places worries the budget plan. For property owners who prepare to move within a year, shutters can be a short bridge to compliance before a sale.

But shutters bring compromises. They darken 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 saw a next-door neighbor try to mount steel panels hours before landfall. The ladder sank in saturated soil, a panel slipped, and we spent the next hour in the urgent care waiting space. He survived with stitches. His living-room window did not. Shutters also rattle and can vibrate under sustained winds, in some cases loosening fasteners gradually if not maintained.

For long-lasting owners who wish to set it and forget it, effect windows provide cyclone proof windows protection while protecting daylight and view. The convenience grows valuable once you have actually experienced one storm season with zero prep beyond locking the sash.

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

South Florida homes fight 2 fights: latent load from humidity and practical load from direct solar heat gain. Effect glass upgrades can assist both if specified intelligently.

Low-E impact glass uses microscopically thin metallic layers to show infrared energy while letting noticeable light through. With the right covering stacks, you can obstruct a large portion of convected heat and UV. UV obstruction in laminated systems comes largely from the interlayer itself, which typically filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, minimizing fading of fabrics and flooring. Include the low-E, and you suppress the solar heat that drives your a/c crazy midafternoon.

I evaluate glass specifications with three numbers: U-factor, SHGC, and VT. While U-factor matters more up north, it still assists here by minimizing nighttime heat circulation and keeping the interior glass temperature level closer to room temperature level, which minimizes condensation risk. SHGC drives how much solar heat gets in. VT affects how intense the interior feels. Balance is crucial. Some property owners desire the crisp, clear appearance of greater VT, even if it suggests accepting a few degrees more heat in late afternoon, because their landscaping and roof overhangs already do some shading. Others prefer a more powerful tint for glare control on waterfront lots that reflect harsh light.

In practical terms, going from clear single-pane sliders to modern low-E laminated double-glazed systems can minimize peak solar gains by 30 to half on the most exposed sides. Couple that with tuned overhangs, light-colored exterior surfaces, and an appropriately sized variable-speed HVAC, and you start to build resilience. If the grid decreases and you switch to a generator, a lower cooling load indicates a smaller sized generator and fewer gallons of fuel.

Reading labels and approvals without getting lost in alphabet soup

Miami-Dade Notification of Approval, or NOA, is the file you request for. It details the approved configurations, sizes, anchors, and pressures checked. It is insufficient to hear "these are Miami-Dade authorized windows" in a showroom. Validate the NOA matches the precise design and options you are purchasing, including the glazing makeup and hardware. If you remain in Broward or Miami-Dade, your permitting office will want this paper trail.

Statewide, the Florida Item Approval system supplies FL numbers that reveal code compliance. In the rest of the state outside the High Speed Cyclone Zone, Florida building regulations windows can depend on Florida Product Approval without Miami-Dade particular NOAs. Lots of leading makers bring both. Where spending plans allow, I choose NOA items even outside the zone due to the fact that the screening is stiffer.

NFRC labels deal with energy metrics. They won't inform you impact efficiency, however they show U-factor, SHGC, VT, and air leakage. Go for air leakage at or listed below 0.3 cfm/ft ². Tighter is better for humidity control, but make sure your home still has actually balanced 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 in advance than shutters. There's no spin around that. Set up expenses vary with size, shape, finish, and access. On uncomplicated single-family homes, per-opening costs often land 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 recoup value:

  • Insurance credits add up, frequently 10 to 25 percent off premiums when all openings are protected.
  • Energy cost savings, usually 8 to 20 percent on yearly cooling expenses in older homes after a full window upgrade coupled with sealing and attic improvements.
  • Resale appeal, particularly in markets where buyers anticipate impact doors and windows as a baseline. A home with accordion shutters competes, however a home with storm effect windows shows better, feels quieter, and normally appraises stronger.

If you plan to own the residential or commercial property for five years or more, the math often tilts in favor of impact windows, especially when you factor the intangible of assurance. If you plan to sell within a year and require to show compliance quickly, shutters might make more short-term sense. Context matters.

Details that separate excellent systems from excellent ones

I pay attention to tempered vs laminated hardware and devices. Multi-point locks on casements and awnings enhance seal compression and security. For sliders, robust tandem rollers in stainless housings slide smoother and last longer on sandy outdoor patios. Look at the sill style on sliding doors. Weep systems should be crafted 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 run afoul of neighborhood watch or produce mirror-like glare towards surrounding residential or commercial properties. In seaside environments, extremely reflective glass can confuse birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Regional pros know which finishings balance efficiency with compliance.

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

Special cases: historic homes, condos, and difficult openings

Historic districts often need profiles that mimic old wood sash sightlines. There are impact-rated windows that fit these requirements, but lead times lengthen and costs climb. Anticipate extra evaluation by architectural boards, and line up a professional 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 noise control in between systems. If your structure sits straight on Collins Opportunity or deals with a hectic beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated options. Work with building 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, need unique attention in style pressure, deflection, and operating hardware. Not every system that looks durable in a display room fulfills the wind loads on a ninth-floor veranda. Do not depend on catalog optimum sizes. Utilize the NOA tables that correspond laminated impact glass to your site's zone, favorable and unfavorable pressures, and mullion mixes if any.

What a clean job appears like from survey to last inspection

The finest jobs begin with a determined survey and exposure analysis. You map each opening, keep in mind the substrate, and determine any framing abnormalities or settlement cracks. Throughout proposition, the contractor reveals you the NOA and the Florida Product Approval, notes anchor types, and describes how each opening will be flashed and sealed. They prepare for stucco or drywall repair work, not pretend no damage will occur.

On set up day, they eliminate one opening at a time to keep your home secure. They secure floors, draw back window treatments, and cap sprinklers. Old frames bring out care to protect interior surfaces. New systems get dry-fit, shimmed, and anchored per the schedule. The team checks squareness and diagonals before setting sealant. They photo anchors for the authorization file, specifically if they will be hidden. After glazing, they water-test with a controlled spray to validate drain paths and seals. The inspector sees a neat jobsite, clear labels, and paperwork in order.

Six months later on, your windows still close with 2 fingers, locks bite smoothly, and there is no mystery rattle throughout thunderstorms. You did not need to call for a roller modification after the first week. That is the standard.

Frequently misunderstood points that cost homeowners later

Impact score does not equivalent breakproof. Laminated glass can crack under severe effects, however it must stay in the frame and hold together. After a storm that sends out particles into the glass, you might see star fractures or spidering. The window did its task. Change the sash or IGU after the event.

Window movies do not convert non-impact windows into typhoon impact-resistant windows. They can add shatter resistance, however they do not replacement for a tested, anchored system. Your insurance provider and building department will not count films as protected openings.

Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient effect windows minimize air leakage. That's great, but it increases the importance of a correctly sized a/c with great dehumidification. If your system is large, the thermostat satisfies rapidly and fails to pull enough moisture from the air. Ask your a/c pro to inspect sensible heat ratio, airflow, and run time. You want consistent, longer cycles, not brief bursts.

Maintenance is straightforward however not optional. Tidy weep holes on sliders, wash salt spray from frames, and lubricate hardware each year with a silicone-based product that will not gum up in heat. Small habits extend lifespan.

When shutters still belong in the conversation

There are legitimate factors to blend services. A set of seldom used garage windows can keep removable panels to shave budget plan. A deep-set patio with minimal sun exposure may do fine with accordion shutters if you focus on other upgrades like a brand-new roofing system deck attachment or a fortified garage door. Shutters can also 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 distinction. Assign obligation 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 find you have 29.

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

Impact windows are not only about enduring 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 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 concentrate on individuals rather than panels.

For a lot of my customers, that intangible is the choosing element. They understand storms will come. They also know life in South Florida is too good to live inside a fortress that just wakes up in August. Miami-Dade approved windows give you both: a clear view of Biscayne Bay on a breezy February morning and quiet confidence when the spaghetti models point our method September.

If you are weighing the option, start with a site-specific evaluation. Match your direct exposures to create pressures, choose the best laminated glass stack for wind and heat, select frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and employ a crew that appreciates the load path. Done right, energy‑efficient impact where to buy tempered glass windows windows deliver what shutters can not: protection that never ever asks 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.