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 stockpile, and the ritual of hauling ladders to mount panels. After 20 years defining, setting up, and repairing building envelopes from Secret Largo to Palm Beach, I have actually seen what holds up and what doesn't. When the goal is genuine protection with year-round convenience, Miami-Dade authorized, energy‑efficient effect windows outshine shutters in manner ins which go beyond storm day. They alter how a home feels in August, how peaceful your living-room remains on a Saturday night, and how confident you are when a storm line spins up much faster than predicted.
This is a practical look at why lots of South Florida house owners are moving from shutters to typhoon impact-resistant windows, how to read the standards behind "Miami-Dade approved," what materials matter, and how to get the setup right the first time.
Miami-Dade County's Product Control Department sets one of the toughest benchmarks in the country for developing elements exposed to windborne particles. Approval is not a marketing sticker. It is made through specific laboratory tests that simulate real typhoon conditions.
First comes large rocket impact. A 9-pound 2x4 is contended the glass at approximately window trim 34 miles per hour. That mimics roofing system tiles, branches, or pieces of fencing that fly in the eyewall. After the effect, the very same system faces 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 resides in these test thresholds. Miami-Dade is merely stiffer, especially in High Speed Cyclone Zone requirements, that include Miami-Dade and Broward.
Wind rankings differ by opening size and style pressures, signified as PSF values. On ocean-facing properties or high-rises, I often specify units ranked at +60/ -80 PSF or higher. Inland or in more protected exposures, ratings in the +45/ -60 PSF range can be enough, however you size and spec based on the website's wind map, developing height, and surrounding structures. An expert understands that a corner direct exposure at the 2nd story demands various reinforcement than a protected window under a deep porch.
Hurricane shutters vs effect windows is not a one-to-one comparison. Shutters can fulfill code, and they're much better than nothing. But they ask you to do operate at the worst possible time. When a watch turns to a warning 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 reside in place. You get continuous security, even if a pop-up storm surprises you while you're stuck on US 1. You likewise get benefits 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 resistant interlayer, generally PVB interlayer glass or SentryGlas. That interlayer damps sound. On tasks along busy corridors like Biscayne Boulevard or near flight paths, I've determined interior sound drops in the 5 to 10 decibel range, often more when paired with insulated glass hurricane window cost units.
Security enhances because laminated glass withstands forced entry. A robber can shatter the external lite with a hammer, however the interlayer holds the shards. They satisfy a sticky, persistent membrane rather of a fast path inside. Insurance underwriters know this, which is why policies often use credits for effect doors and windows. In my tasks, premiums normally drop 10 to 25 percent, depending on the provider and the number of openings are protected.
Energy performance is the 3rd pillar. Energy-efficient impact windows with modern-day low-E effect glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while preserving visible light. That implies less air conditioning 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 systems. Summer season afternoon peak load visited roughly a lots of cooling, and the home's yearly electricity usage fell between 12 and 18 percent. Outcomes vary with shading, attic insulation, and a/c performance, however the direction is consistent.
Laminated impact glass is the heart of the system, but not all laminated products are equal.
Most residential cyclone windows use a PVB interlayer glass stack, frequently 0.030 to 0.090 inches thick in single or multiple plies. Thicker interlayers improve impact resistance and sound control, but they add weight and expense. For oceanfront or tall openings, you may see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and more powerful than PVB, allowing thinner sections to attain greater style pressures. For noise-sensitive sites, acoustic PVB solutions modify the polymer to better absorb sound in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz range, where traffic and voices sit.
Tempered glass windows come up often in discussions 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 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, not tempering by itself. Many systems use a tempered outer lite laminated to a hardened inner lite, or both tempered, but constantly 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 half or greater. Go too short on SHGC and the glass can look gray or green, especially in larger openings. The sweet area depends upon your façade orientation and shading. On east and west elevations, I often tighten up SHGC and accept a small tint to handle morning and afternoon blasts. On north elevations, I lean toward greater noticeable transmittance for daylighting.
Frames are the other half of the story. Aluminum frames dominate here because they deal with 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 strengthened effectively, can perform well for standard-sized openings and have much better insulating values, however I avoid them for very broad sliders or tall storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad units look gorgeous in older Mediterranean Revival homes, however they demand mindful maintenance and clever flashing. The Florida sun ruins cheap vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum surfaces rapidly. Try to find powder-coated surfaces ranked for seaside direct exposure, and demand written warranty information in salt-air environments.
Window installation can make or break efficiency. An expensive system installed like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's stress test. The load course is the essence. Impact forces have 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 cinder block building, you want stainless or hot-dipped galvanized anchors embedded into solid product. 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 must bite into strong trimmers, not just sheathing. Shimming and plumb positioning matter so the locks engage cleanly and the weatherstripping compresses evenly.
The sealant joint is not simply aesthetic. An effectively sized backer rod and premium polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant create a long lasting, versatile seal that deals with thermal PVB interlayer growth. Too little a bead and it tears under motion. Too huge and it treatments improperly. On seaside jobs, I never combine dissimilar metals without a barrier, and I always 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 combination with the water-resistive barrier are crucial. If you rely on sealant alone, water will discover its way in. That moisture might not show up as a drip. It might rot a sill plate slowly, then betray itself as a buckling flooring or a moldy smell 2 cyclone seasons later.
I have absolutely nothing versus properly designed shutters. Accordion shutters that are preserved and lubed, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even removable panels saved carefully can secure homes effectively. They also assist in certain cases.
Second homes or seasonal rentals where budget plan is tight in some cases lean on shutters to satisfy the Florida building regulations windows requirement for secured openings. On specialized openings like a lanai that is hardly ever utilized in summer season, a tidy motorized roll-down can be affordable, particularly if coupling with effect doors and windows in other places worries the budget plan. For homeowners who plan to move within a year, shutters can be a brief bridge to compliance before a sale.
But shutters bring trade-offs. They darken your home when released, and they need action at precisely the time you are handling insurance coverage papers, gas cans, and family logistics. Throughout Hurricane Irma, I enjoyed a next-door neighbor attempt 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 continual winds, sometimes loosening up fasteners gradually if not maintained.
For long-term owners who want to set it and forget it, impact windows offer cyclone evidence windows protection while protecting daytime and view. The benefit grows important once you have actually experienced one storm season with absolutely no preparation beyond locking the sash.
South Florida homes combat two fights: latent load from humidity and sensible load from direct solar heat gain. Effect glass upgrades can assist both if defined intelligently.
Low-E effect glass uses microscopically thin metallic layers to show infrared energy while letting noticeable light through. With the right finish stacks, you can block a large portion of radiant heat and UV. UV clog in laminated units comes mostly from the interlayer itself, which normally filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, reducing fading of materials and floor covering. Add the low-E, and you curb the solar heat that drives your air conditioning insane UV blocking glass midafternoon.
I evaluate glass specs with 3 numbers: U-factor, SHGC, and VT. While U-factor matters more up north, it still helps here by minimizing nighttime heat circulation and keeping the interior glass temperature level closer to room temperature, which reduces condensation danger. SHGC drives how much solar heat enters. VT affects how intense the interior feels. Balance is crucial. Some property owners want the crisp, clear look of higher VT, even if it implies accepting a couple of degrees more heat in late afternoon, since their landscaping and roofing system overhangs already do some shading. Others prefer a stronger tint for glare control on waterside lots that reflect extreme light.
In useful terms, going from clear single-pane sliders to modern-day low-E laminated double-glazed units can lower 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 HVAC, and you begin to construct strength. If the grid goes down and you change to a generator, a lower cooling load implies a smaller generator and less gallons of fuel.
Miami-Dade Notification of Approval, or NOA, is the document you request. It details the approved 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 model and choices you are purchasing, including the glazing makeup and hardware. If you remain in Broward or Miami-Dade, your permitting workplace will desire this paper trail.
Statewide, the Florida Item Approval system provides FL numbers that reveal code compliance. In the remainder of the state outside the High Velocity Cyclone Zone, Florida building code windows can count on Florida Product Approval without Miami-Dade particular NOAs. Lots of leading makers carry both. Where budgets enable, I choose NOA items even outside the zone because the testing is stiffer.
NFRC labels deal with energy metrics. They will not inform you effect 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, but make sure your home still has actually stabilized ventilation. Sealing the envelope and disregarding 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 costs vary with size, shape, surface, and gain access to. On uncomplicated single-family homes, per-opening costs typically land between 1,200 and 3,000 dollars for basic sizes. Big multi-panel sliders, custom-made arches, and coastal-grade finishes raise the numbers quickly.
Where you recoup value:
If you prepare to own the property for 5 years or more, the mathematics often tilts in favor of effect windows, particularly when you factor the intangible of assurance. If you plan to offer within a year and require to show compliance rapidly, shutters might make more short-term sense. Context matters.
I take note of hardware and accessories. 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 design on moving doors. Weep systems need to be engineered to drain pipes 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 neighboring properties. In seaside ecosystems, extremely reflective glass can confuse birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Local pros understand which coatings balance efficiency with compliance.
Color stability is a big deal. Dark bronze or black frames look wonderful on modern homes, however in Florida sun cheap finishes chalk and fade. AAMA 2605-rated finishes provide the best color retention and chalk resistance. I specify them for seaside direct exposures whenever budget plans allow.
Historic districts typically need profiles that simulate old wood sash sightlines. There are impact-rated windows that fit these requirements, but lead times extend and costs climb. Expect additional evaluation by architectural boards, and line up a specialist familiar with these submissions.
Condos have another layer of governance. Associations in some cases define a narrow list of approved items for harmony. They likewise care about noise control between units. If your structure sits straight on Collins Opportunity or faces a hectic beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated alternatives. Work with building management on staging and lift gain access to. Weekend work windows and restricted parking can add days and dollars.
Large openings, like a 16-foot-wide slider, require special attention in design pressure, deflection, and operating hardware. Not every system that looks durable in a display room meets the wind loads on a ninth-floor balcony. Do not rely on catalog optimum sizes. Utilize the NOA tables that correspond to your website's zone, favorable and negative pressures, and mullion combinations if any.
The finest projects start with a determined study and exposure analysis. You map each opening, note the substrate, and identify any framing abnormalities or settlement cracks. During proposal, the professional reveals you the NOA and the Florida Item Approval, notes anchor types, and explains how each opening will be flashed and sealed. They plan for stucco or drywall repairs, not pretend no damage will occur.
On install day, they get rid of one opening at a time to keep your home protected. They safeguard floorings, pull 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 crew checks squareness and diagonals before setting sealant. They photograph anchors for the permit file, especially if they will be hidden. After glazing, they water-test with a controlled spray to verify drain paths and seals. The inspector sees a neat jobsite, clear labels, and paperwork in order.
Six months later, your windows still close with 2 fingers, locks bite smoothly, and there is no mystery rattle throughout thunderstorms. You did not need to require a roller change after the first week. That is the standard.
Impact ranking does not equivalent breakproof. Laminated glass can crack under serious impacts, however it must remain 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. Replace the sash or IGU after the event.
Window films do not transform non-impact windows into typhoon impact-resistant windows. They can include shatter resistance, but they do not alternative to a tested, anchored system. Your insurance provider and building department will not count films as secured openings.
Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient impact windows minimize air leakage. That's excellent, but it increases the significance of an effectively sized a/c with excellent dehumidification. If your system is oversized, the thermostat pleases quickly and fails to pull enough moisture from the air. Ask your heating and cooling pro to inspect sensible heat ratio, air flow, and run time. You want consistent, longer cycles, not brief bursts.
Maintenance is uncomplicated however not optional. Tidy weep holes on sliders, wash salt spray from frames, and oil hardware every year with a silicone-based product that will not gum up in heat. Small practices extend lifespan.
There are legitimate reasons to mix solutions. A set of rarely utilized garage windows can keep removable panels to shave budget plan. A deep-set porch with very little sun direct exposure might do fine with accordion shutters if you prioritize other upgrades like a new roof deck attachment or a fortified garage door. Shutters can also secure outdoor kitchen areas or cabana openings where grease and smoke would age expensive hardware prematurely.
If you pick shutters, invest in quality. Stainless fasteners, smooth tracks, and motors with handbook bypasses for roll-downs make a difference. Designate obligation for implementation and practice as soon as outside of a storm watch. Inventory your hardware. The day you require 32 wing nuts is not the morning you wish to find you have 29.
Impact windows are not just about surviving the big one. They improve daily living. The living room stays 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 much shorter. You lock the sashes, set storm mode on the alarm, and concentrate on individuals rather than panels.
For a lot of my clients, that intangible is the deciding factor. They know storms will come. They also know life in South Florida is too good to live inside a fortress that just awakens in August. Miami-Dade authorized windows provide you both: a clear view of Biscayne Bay on a breezy February morning and quiet confidence when the spaghetti models point our way in September.
If you are weighing the choice, begin with a site-specific assessment. Match your exposures to develop pressures, select the right laminated glass stack for wind and heat, choose frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and work with a crew that appreciates the load course. Done right, energy‑efficient effect windows provide what shutters can not: protection that never asks for a ladder and a better home every day of the year.