October 18, 2025

Hurricane-Proof Comfort: Selecting Miami-Dade Approved, Energy‑Efficient Effect Windows Over Shutters

STS Impact Windows & Doors

STS Impact Windows, Doors & Roofing is a veteran-owned company based in South Florida that specializes in premium hurricane protection solutions, including impact windows, doors, custom storefronts, and roofing. Combining over 25 years of industry experience with military precision, STS provides expert installation, full transparency, and outstanding customer service, backed by a leading 3-year installation warranty. Their comprehensive services ensure security and peace of mind for both residential and commercial clients, with a strong focus on quality, reliability, and efficiency.

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1000 Holland Dr #10, Boca Raton, 33487, US

Business Hours

  • Monday: 08:00 - 17:00
  • Tuesday: 08:00 - 17:00
  • Wednesday: 08:00 - 17:00
  • Thursday: 08:00 - 17:00
  • Friday: 08:00 - 17:00
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: Closed
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STS Impact Windows and Doors is a business
STS Impact Windows and Doors is based in Boca Raton Florida
STS Impact Windows and Doors is located at 1000 Holland Dr Suite 10 Boca Raton FL 33487 United States
STS Impact Windows and Doors operates in the United States
STS Impact Windows and Doors is a veteran owned company
STS Impact Windows and Doors specializes in hurricane protection solutions
STS Impact Windows and Doors provides impact windows
STS Impact Windows and Doors provides impact doors
STS Impact Windows and Doors provides custom storefronts
STS Impact Windows and Doors provides roofing services
STS Impact Windows and Doors provides expert installation
STS Impact Windows and Doors provides full transparency
STS Impact Windows and Doors provides outstanding customer service
STS Impact Windows and Doors has over 25 years of industry experience
STS Impact Windows and Doors offers a 3 year installation warranty
STS Impact Windows and Doors serves residential clients
STS Impact Windows and Doors serves commercial clients
STS Impact Windows and Doors focuses on quality reliability and efficiency
STS Impact Windows and Doors has phone number 5616001018
STS Impact Windows and Doors has website https://stswindows.com/
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STS Impact Windows and Doors has opening hours Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm
STS Impact Windows and Doors was awarded South Florida Veteran Owned Business Excellence Award
STS Impact Windows and Doors was awarded Best Hurricane Protection Provider 2023 Florida
STS Impact Windows and Doors was awarded Angis Super Service Award for Window Installation

People Also Ask about STS Impact Windows and Doors

What does STS Impact Windows and Doors do?

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

Where is STS Impact Windows and Doors located?

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

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

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

What services does STS Impact Windows and Doors provide?

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

Who does STS Impact Windows and Doors serve?

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

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

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

What awards has STS Impact Windows and Doors won?

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

How can I contact STS Impact Windows and Doors?

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


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

Hurricane season shapes life along Florida's coasts. You feel it in the method next-door neighbors track tropical waves, the pre-storm rush to stockpile, and the routine of transporting ladders to mount panels. After twenty years specifying, setting up, and troubleshooting structure envelopes from Key Largo to Palm Beach, I've seen what holds up and what does not. When the goal is real protection with year-round convenience, Miami-Dade approved, energy‑efficient impact windows exceed shutters in manner ins which go beyond storm day. They alter 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 faster than predicted.

This is a practical look at why many South Florida homeowners are moving from shutters to typhoon impact-resistant windows, how to read the standards behind "Miami-Dade authorized," what products matter, and how to get the installation right the first time.

What "Miami-Dade Approved" in fact means

Miami-Dade County's Product Control Department sets among the hardest criteria in the country for building components exposed to windborne particles. Approval is not a marketing sticker. It is earned through specific lab tests that imitate real typhoon conditions.

First comes large rocket impact. A 9-pound 2x4 is shot at the glass at approximately 34 miles per hour. That imitates roof tiles, branches, or pieces of fencing that fly in the eyewall. After the effect, the same system faces cyclic pressure loading, thousands of pressurization and Impact resistant glass depressurization cycles that simulate fast 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 code windows" and "Miami-Dade authorized windows" often lives in these test thresholds. Miami-Dade is merely stiffer, especially in High Velocity Cyclone Zone requirements, which include Miami-Dade and Broward.

Wind rankings vary by opening size and style pressures, represented as PSF values. On ocean-facing properties or high-rises, I typically define systems rated at +60/ -80 PSF or higher. Inland or in more safeguarded exposures, scores in the +45/ -60 PSF variety can be sufficient, but you size and spec based on the site's wind map, constructing height, and surrounding structures. A professional understands that a corner direct exposure at the 2nd story needs different reinforcement than a sheltered window under a deep porch.

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

Hurricane shutters vs impact windows is not a one-to-one comparison. Shutters can meet code, and they're better than nothing. However they ask you to do work at the worst possible time. When a watch turns to a warning and the forecast 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 constant 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 benefit. Laminated effect glass is basically a sandwich: 2 panes of glass bonded by a resistant interlayer, usually PVB interlayer glass or SentryGlas. That interlayer damps sound. On jobs along hectic 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 paired with insulated glass units.

Security enhances 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 shards. They meet a sticky, persistent membrane rather of a fast course inside. Insurance underwriters understand this, which is why policies often use credits low-E hurricane glass for effect doors and windows. In my tasks, premiums generally drop 10 to 25 percent, depending on the carrier and the number of openings are protected.

Energy efficiency is the 3rd pillar. Energy-efficient impact windows with modern low-E effect glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while maintaining noticeable light. That implies less cooling need, especially on west and south exposures where the afternoon sun penalizes interiors. In one Coral Gables retrofit, we changed 1980s single-pane sliders with laminated low-E impact units. Summer afternoon peak load dropped by roughly a ton of cooling, and the home's annual electricity use fell between 12 and 18 percent. Results vary with shading, attic insulation, and heating and cooling efficiency, but the direction is consistent.

Material choices that matter: glass, interlayers, and frames

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

Most property hurricane windows use a PVB interlayer glass stack, commonly 0.030 to 0.090 inches thick in single or numerous plies. Thicker interlayers enhance impact resistance and sound control, however they include weight and cost. For oceanfront or high openings, you may see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and more powerful than PVB, allowing thinner areas to attain greater design pressures. For noise-sensitive sites, acoustic PVB formulations return on investment storm upgrades tweak 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 frequently in conversations since tempered glass is more powerful in bending than annealed glass. That's true, and tempered lites are typically used as the outer or inner ply in an impact unit. However tempered alone is not impact-resistant in the typhoon sense. When it fails, it blows up into small cubes and falls out of the frame, which leaves the opening susceptible. The effect performance comes from laminated construction, not tempering by itself. Lots of systems utilize a tempered outer lite laminated to an annealed 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 50 percent or greater. Go too low on SHGC and the glass can look gray or green, particularly in bigger openings. The sweet spot depends upon your exterior orientation and shading. On east and west elevations, I frequently tighten up SHGC and accept a minor tint to handle morning and afternoon blasts. On north elevations, I favor greater visible transmittance for daylighting.

Frames are the other half of the story. Aluminum frames dominate here due to the fact that they handle big openings and will not swell. Thermal breaks and enhanced glazing gaskets have narrowed the energy gap with vinyl. High-quality vinyl effect frames, when strengthened properly, can perform well for standard-sized openings and have much better insulating worths, but I avoid them for extremely wide sliders or high storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad units look gorgeous in older Mediterranean Revival homes, but they demand mindful maintenance and smart flashing. The Florida sun destroys inexpensive vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum finishes quickly. Search for powder-coated surfaces rated for seaside direct exposure, and demand written service warranty information in salt-air environments.

The hidden hero: setup that appreciates the load path

Window installation can make or break performance. A pricey unit set up like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's stress test. The load path is the core. 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, you desire stainless or hot-dipped galvanized anchors embedded into solid product. Hollow cells should be grouted or you require to strike the bond beam. Tapcons in soft, unfilled block are a failure waiting to take place. In wood-framed homes, structural screws need to bite into solid trimmers, not simply sheathing. Shimming and plumb alignment matter so the locks engage easily and the weatherstripping compresses evenly.

The sealant joint is not simply visual. A correctly sized backer rod and premium polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant produce a resilient, flexible seal that deals with thermal expansion. Too small a bead and it tears under motion. Too big and it remedies inadequately. On coastal jobs, I never ever pair dissimilar metals without a barrier, and I constantly specify corrosion-resistant fasteners. Ten 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 count 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 musty odor two cyclone seasons later.

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

I have absolutely nothing against properly designed shutters. Accordion shutters that are maintained and oiled, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even detachable panels kept thoroughly can secure homes effectively. They also assist in certain cases.

Second homes or seasonal leasings where budget is tight in some cases lean on shutters to fulfill the Florida building code windows requirement for safeguarded openings. On specialized openings like a lanai that is hardly ever used in summertime, a tidy motorized roll-down can be affordable, especially if pairing with effect windows and doors in other places worries the budget. 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 the house when deployed, and they require action at exactly the time you are juggling insurance coverage documents, gas cans, and household logistics. Throughout Typhoon Irma, I watched a next-door 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 immediate care waiting room. He made it through with stitches. His living-room window did not. Shutters likewise rattle and can vibrate under sustained winds, sometimes loosening fasteners in time if not maintained.

For long-lasting owners who wish to set it and forget it, effect windows provide typhoon proof windows coverage while maintaining daytime and view. The convenience grows valuable once you have actually experienced one storm season with no preparation beyond locking the sash.

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

South Florida homes fight 2 fights: hidden load from humidity and reasonable load from direct solar heat gain. Impact glass upgrades can help both if defined intelligently.

Low-E effect glass uses microscopically thin metal layers to reflect infrared energy while letting visible light through. With the right finishing stacks, you can block a big portion of radiant heat and UV. UV obstruction in laminated units comes mainly from the interlayer itself, which normally filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, reducing fading of fabrics and floor covering. Add the low-E, and you suppress the solar heat that drives your a/c crazy midafternoon.

I evaluate glass specifications with 3 numbers: U-factor, SHGC, and VT. While U-factor matters more up north, it still assists here by reducing nighttime heat circulation and keeping the interior glass temperature level closer to space temperature, which decreases condensation risk. SHGC drives just how much solar heat enters. VT affects how intense the interior feels. Balance is essential. Some homeowners want the crisp, clear appearance of greater VT, even if it suggests accepting a few degrees more heat in late afternoon, since their landscaping and roofing system overhangs already do some shading. Others choose 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 systems can lower 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 develop strength. If the grid goes down and you switch to a generator, a lower cooling load implies a smaller sized generator and less gallons Category 5 hurricane windows of fuel.

Reading labels and approvals without getting lost in alphabet soup

Miami-Dade Notice of Approval, or NOA, is the file you request. It details the authorized configurations, sizes, anchors, and pressures evaluated. It is inadequate to hear "these are Miami-Dade authorized windows" in a display room. Confirm the NOA matches the precise model and alternatives you are purchasing, including 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 show code compliance. In the rest of the state outside the High Speed Hurricane Zone, Florida building code windows can count on Florida Item Approval without Miami-Dade specific NOAs. Numerous leading producers carry both. Where budgets enable, I choose NOA items even outside the zone since the testing is stiffer.

NFRC labels manage energy metrics. They won't inform you effect performance, however they reveal U-factor, SHGC, VT, and air leak. Go for air leak at or below 0.3 cfm/ft TWO. Tighter is better for humidity control, however ensure your home still has actually stabilized ventilation. Sealing the envelope and overlooking fresh air is a recipe 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 costs differ with size, shape, surface, and access. On uncomplicated single-family homes, per-opening costs 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 worth:

  • Insurance credits add up, frequently 10 to 25 percent off premiums when all openings are protected.
  • Energy savings, normally 8 to 20 percent on annual cooling costs in older homes after a complete window upgrade coupled with sealing and attic improvements.
  • Resale appeal, especially in markets where buyers expect effect doors and windows as a standard. A home with accordion shutters contends, however a home with storm effect windows shows better, feels quieter, and generally evaluates stronger.

If you prepare to own the home for five years or more, the math frequently tilts in favor of impact windows, particularly when you factor the intangible of assurance. If you prepare to offer within a year and require to reveal compliance quickly, shutters might make more short-term sense. Context matters.

Details that separate excellent systems from fantastic ones

I take notice of 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 outdoor patios. Take a look at the sill design on sliding doors. Weep systems must be crafted 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 fashion. Reflective films can contravene of neighborhood watch or produce mirror-like glare toward surrounding residential or commercial properties. In coastal environments, highly reflective glass can confuse birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Regional pros know which coverings balance efficiency with compliance.

Color stability is a big deal. Dark bronze or black frames look wonderful on contemporary homes, however in Florida sun low-cost surfaces chalk and fade. AAMA 2605-rated finishings supply the best color retention and chalk resistance. I specify them for seaside direct exposures whenever budget plans allow.

Special cases: historical homes, condos, and difficult openings

Historic districts typically require profiles that imitate old wood sash sightlines. There are impact-rated windows that fit these requirements, however lead times extend and costs climb. Anticipate extra review by architectural boards, and line up a professional familiar with these submissions.

Condos have another layer of governance. Associations often specify a narrow list of approved products for harmony. They also appreciate sound control between systems. If your structure sits straight on Collins Avenue or deals with a busy beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated choices. 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 special attention in style pressure, deflection, and running hardware. Not every unit that looks tough in a display room fulfills the wind loads on a ninth-floor terrace. Do not depend on catalog maximum sizes. Use the NOA tables that represent your site's zone, positive and unfavorable pressures, and mullion combinations if any.

What a tidy job looks like from study to last inspection

The best jobs begin with a determined study and exposure analysis. You map each opening, keep in mind the substrate, and identify any framing irregularities or settlement cracks. During proposition, the specialist shows you the NOA and the Florida Item Approval, notes anchor types, and describes how each opening will be flashed and sealed. They prepare 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 house protected. They secure floorings, pull back window treatments, and cap sprinklers. Old frames come out with 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 license file, particularly if they will be hidden. After glazing, they water-test with a regulated spray to confirm drain courses and seals. The inspector sees a neat jobsite, clear labels, and documentation in order.

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

Frequently misinterpreted points that cost property owners later

Impact rating does not equivalent breakproof. Laminated glass can break under serious effects, but it must remain in the frame and hold together. After a storm that sends 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 movies do not convert non-impact windows into hurricane impact-resistant windows. They can include shatter resistance, but they do not substitute for a tested, anchored system. Your insurance provider and structure department will not count movies as protected openings.

Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient impact windows lower air leak. That's great, but it increases the significance of a properly sized a/c with excellent dehumidification. If your system is extra-large, the thermostat pleases rapidly and stops working to pull enough moisture from the air. Ask your heating and cooling pro to check sensible heat ratio, airflow, and run time. You want stable, longer cycles, not short bursts.

Maintenance is straightforward however not optional. Tidy weep holes on sliders, wash salt spray from frames, and lube hardware annually with a silicone-based item that will not gum up in heat. Little habits extend lifespan.

When shutters still belong in the conversation

There are genuine factors to blend solutions. A pair of rarely utilized garage windows can keep detachable panels to shave budget plan. A deep-set deck with minimal sun exposure might do fine with accordion shutters if you prioritize other upgrades like a new roofing deck attachment or a prepared garage door. Shutters can likewise safeguard outside kitchens or cabana openings where grease and smoke would age expensive hardware prematurely.

If you choose shutters, buy quality. Stainless fasteners, smooth tracks, and motors with manual bypasses for roll-downs make a difference. Designate duty for deployment and practice when outside of 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 quiet Tuesday

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 noise when a squall line passes at 2 a.m. When a hurricane threatens, your preparation list gets much shorter. You lock the sashes, set storm mode on the alarm, and focus on individuals rather than panels.

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

If you are weighing the option, begin with a site-specific assessment. Match your direct exposures to create pressures, pick the ideal laminated glass stack for wind and heat, choose frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and employ a crew that appreciates the load path. Done right, energy‑efficient effect windows deliver what shutters can not: defense that never ever asks for 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.