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 next-door neighbors track tropical waves, the pre-storm rush to stock up, and the routine of hauling ladders to mount panels. After 20 years defining, installing, and troubleshooting building envelopes from Secret Largo to Palm Beach, I have actually seen what holds up and what doesn't. When the goal is real defense with year-round comfort, Miami-Dade authorized, energy‑efficient impact windows exceed shutters in ways that exceed storm day. They change how a house 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 many South Florida homeowners are moving from shutters to typhoon impact-resistant windows, how to read the requirements behind "Miami-Dade authorized," what materials matter, and how to get the installation right the very first time.
Miami-Dade County's Item Control Department sets among 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 imitate real cyclone conditions.
First comes large rocket impact. A 9-pound 2x4 is contended the glass at roughly 34 miles per hour. That simulates roof tiles, branches, or pieces of fencing that fly in the eyewall. After the effect, the same system deals with cyclic pressure loading, countless pressurization and depressurization cycles that imitate quick wind gusts over hours. If the glass remains in the frame without letting the envelope breach, it passes. The difference between "fulfills Florida building code windows" and "Miami-Dade approved windows" typically resides in these test limits. Miami-Dade is merely stiffer, particularly in High Velocity Typhoon Zone requirements, that include Miami-Dade and Broward.
Wind scores vary by opening size and style pressures, denoted as PSF worths. On ocean-facing residential or commercial properties or high-rises, I often define systems ranked at +60/ -80 PSF or higher. Inland or in more safeguarded exposures, scores in the +45/ -60 PSF variety can suffice, but you size and specification based on the site's wind map, developing height, and surrounding structures. A professional understands that a corner exposure at the 2nd story demands various support than a sheltered window under a deep porch.
Hurricane shutters vs impact windows is not a one-to-one comparison. Shutters can satisfy code, and they're better than absolutely nothing. But 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 desire 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 benefits every day of the year.
Noise control is the most underappreciated benefit. Laminated effect glass is basically a sandwich: two panes of glass bonded by a durable interlayer, normally PVB interlayer glass or SentryGlas. That interlayer damps sound. On jobs along hectic corridors like Biscayne Boulevard or near flight paths, I've measured interior noise drops in the 5 to 10 decibel variety, in some cases 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, but the interlayer holds the shards. They fulfill a sticky, stubborn membrane instead of a fast course inside. Insurance coverage underwriters know this, which is why policies frequently use credits for impact doors and windows. In my tasks, premiums typically drop 10 to 25 percent, depending upon the carrier and the number of openings are protected.
Energy efficiency is the third pillar. Energy-efficient effect windows with modern-day low-E impact glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while protecting noticeable light. That means less cooling 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 effect systems. Summertime afternoon peak load dropped by roughly a lots of cooling, and the home's yearly electrical power usage fell between 12 and 18 percent. Results differ with shading, attic insulation, and a/c effectiveness, but the instructions is consistent.
Laminated impact glass is the heart of the system, however not all laminated items are equal.
Most property cyclone windows use a PVB interlayer glass stack, frequently 0.030 to 0.090 inches thick in single or numerous plies. Thicker interlayers enhance impact resistance and sound control, but they add weight and cost. For oceanfront or high openings, you may see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and more powerful than PVB, permitting thinner areas to achieve higher style pressures. For noise-sensitive websites, acoustic PVB formulations fine-tune the polymer to better take in sound in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz variety, where traffic and voices sit.
Tempered glass windows show up typically in conversations due to the fact that 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 system. However tempered alone is not impact-resistant in the typhoon sense. When it fails, it explodes into small cubes and falls out of the frame, which leaves the opening susceptible. The effect performance originates from laminated building, not tempering by itself. Many systems use a tempered outer lite laminated to an annealed inner lite, or both tempered, but constantly bonded through a PVB or ionoplast interlayer.
Low-E coatings 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 range while keeping visible light transmission around half or higher. Go too short on SHGC and the glass can look gray or green, specifically in larger openings. The sweet area depends upon your exterior orientation and shading. On east and west elevations, I frequently tighten up SHGC and accept a minor tint to manage morning and afternoon blasts. On north elevations, I favor greater noticeable transmittance for daylighting.
Frames are the other half of the story. Aluminum frames control here because they handle large openings and won't swell. Thermal breaks and improved glazing gaskets have actually narrowed the energy space with vinyl. Premium vinyl impact frames, when enhanced appropriately, can perform well for standard-sized openings and have much better insulating values, but I avoid them for extremely broad sliders or tall storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad units look gorgeous in older Mediterranean Revival homes, however they demand careful upkeep and wise flashing. The Florida sun ruins inexpensive vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum surfaces rapidly. Search for powder-coated finishes rated for coastal exposure, and demand written warranty details in salt-air environments.
Window installation can make or break performance. A pricey system installed like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's stress test. The load path is the essence. Effect 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 cinder block building and construction, you desire stainless or hot-dipped galvanized anchors embedded into strong product. Hollow cells should be grouted or you require to hit the bond beam. Tapcons in soft, unfilled block are a failure waiting to occur. In wood-framed houses, structural screws need to 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 just aesthetic. An appropriately sized backer rod and premium polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant create a durable, versatile seal that handles thermal expansion. Too small a bead and it tears under movement. Too big and it remedies poorly. On seaside jobs, I never pair dissimilar metals without a barrier, and I always define corrosion-resistant fasteners. 10 years later on, you will see who took shortcuts.
Flashing is the other non-negotiable. Pan flashing at sills, self-adhered membranes at jambs and heads, and combination with the water-resistive barrier are vital. If you depend on sealant alone, water will discover its way in. That moisture may disappoint up as a drip. It may rot a sill plate slowly, then betray itself as a buckling flooring or a musty smell 2 cyclone seasons later.
I have nothing against properly designed shutters. Accordion shutters that are maintained and oiled, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even detachable panels saved carefully can safeguard homes successfully. They also help in certain cases.
Second homes or seasonal leasings where spending plan is tight often lean on shutters to satisfy the Florida building regulations windows requirement for protected openings. On specialized openings like a lanai that is seldom utilized in summer, a clean motorized roll-down can be reasonable, especially if pairing with impact doors and windows elsewhere stresses the budget plan. For house owners 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 house when released, and they need action at specifically the time you are handling insurance documents, gas cans, and household logistics. During Hurricane Irma, I enjoyed a neighbor try to install steel panels hours before landfall. The ladder sank in saturated soil, a panel slipped, and we spent the next hour in the immediate care waiting space. He endured with stitches. His living-room window did not. Shutters likewise rattle and can vibrate under continual winds, in some cases loosening up fasteners over time if not maintained.
For long-lasting owners who want to set it and forget it, impact windows offer typhoon proof windows protection while maintaining daytime and view. The convenience grows important once you have actually experienced one storm season with no preparation beyond locking the sash.
South Florida homes fight two battles: hidden load from humidity and reasonable load from direct solar heat gain. Effect glass upgrades can assist both if specified intelligently.
Low-E effect glass uses microscopically thin metallic layers to show infrared energy while letting visible light through. With the right coating stacks, you can block a big part of convected heat and UV. UV clog in laminated systems comes largely from the interlayer itself, which typically filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, reducing fading of fabrics and floor covering. Add the low-E, and you curb the solar heat that drives your air conditioning crazy midafternoon.
I evaluate glass specs 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 closer to room temperature, which minimizes condensation danger. SHGC drives just how much solar heat gets in. VT influences how bright the interior feels. Balance is key. Some house owners desire the crisp, clear appearance of higher VT, even if it means accepting a few degrees more heat in late afternoon, because their landscaping and roof overhangs currently do some shading. Others prefer a stronger tint for glare control on waterfront lots that reflect severe light.
In practical terms, going from clear single-pane sliders to contemporary low-E laminated double-glazed units can reduce peak solar gains by 30 to 50 percent on the most exposed sides. Couple that with tuned overhangs, light-colored exterior finishes, and a correctly sized variable-speed a/c, and you begin to develop strength. If the grid goes down and you switch to a generator, a lower cooling load means a smaller generator and fewer gallons of fuel.
Miami-Dade Notification of Acceptance, or NOA, is the document you ask for. It details the authorized setups, sizes, anchors, and pressures tested. It is not enough to hear "these are Miami-Dade authorized windows" in a showroom. Confirm the NOA matches the specific design and options you are buying, including the glazing makeup and hardware. If you are in Broward or Miami-Dade, your allowing workplace will desire this paper trail.
Statewide, the Florida Product Approval system provides FL numbers that show code compliance. In the remainder of the state outside the High Speed Typhoon Zone, Florida building regulations windows can depend on Florida Product Approval without Miami-Dade specific NOAs. Numerous top makers bring both. Where budgets permit, 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 effect efficiency, but they reveal U-factor, SHGC, VT, and air leakage. Aim for air leakage at or listed below 0.3 cfm/ft TWO. Tighter is much better for humidity control, but make sure your home still has balanced ventilation. Sealing the envelope and neglecting fresh air is a recipe for indoor air quality complaints.
Impact windows cost more in advance than shutters. There's no spin around that. Installed costs vary with size, shape, finish, and access. On simple single-family homes, per-opening costs frequently land in between 1,200 and 3,000 dollars for standard sizes. Big multi-panel sliders, custom-made arches, and coastal-grade finishes raise the numbers quickly.
Where you recoup worth:
If you prepare to own the property for five years or more, the mathematics frequently tilts in favor of impact windows, particularly when you factor the intangible of peace of mind. If you plan to sell within a year and require to reveal compliance rapidly, shutters may make more short-term sense. Context matters.
I take notice of hardware and accessories. Multi-point locks on casements and awnings improve seal compression and security. For sliders, robust tandem rollers in stainless real estates move smoother and last longer on sandy outdoor patios. Take a look at the sill style on sliding doors. Weep systems need to 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 films can contravene of neighborhood associations or produce mirror-like glare toward neighboring properties. In coastal communities, extremely reflective glass can confuse birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Local pros know which finishings balance efficiency with compliance.
Color stability is a big offer. Dark bronze or black frames look fantastic on modern-day homes, but in Florida sun inexpensive surfaces chalk and fade. AAMA 2605-rated coatings provide the best color retention and chalk resistance. I define them for coastal direct exposures whenever budgets allow.
Historic districts often 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 extra evaluation by architectural boards, and line up a professional acquainted with these submissions.
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Condos have another layer of governance. Associations in some cases specify a narrow list of authorized products for uniformity. They likewise appreciate sound control in between systems. 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 access. Weekend work windows and restricted parking can include days and dollars.
Large openings, like a 16-foot-wide slider, need special attention in style pressure, deflection, and operating hardware. Not every unit that looks strong in a showroom satisfies the wind loads on a ninth-floor balcony. Do not depend on brochure maximum sizes. best hurricane proof windows available Utilize the NOA tables that correspond to your site's zone, favorable and unfavorable pressures, and mullion combinations if any.
The best projects start with a measured survey and exposure analysis. You map each opening, keep in mind the substrate, and identify any framing abnormalities or settlement cracks. Throughout proposal, the contractor shows you the NOA and the Florida Item Approval, lists anchor types, and discusses how each opening will be flashed and sealed. They plan 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 safe and secure. They protect floorings, 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 photograph anchors for the authorization file, specifically if they will be concealed. After glazing, they water-test with a controlled spray to validate drainage courses and seals. The inspector sees a cool jobsite, clear labels, and documentation in order.
Six months later, your windows still close with 2 fingers, locks bite smoothly, and there is no secret rattle during thunderstorms. You did not have to call for 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 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 convert non-impact windows into typhoon impact-resistant windows. They can include shatter resistance, but they do not replacement for an evaluated, anchored system. Your insurance provider and building department will not count films as protected openings.
Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient weather-resistant impact windows impact windows minimize air leak. That's terrific, however it increases the significance of an effectively sized HVAC with excellent dehumidification. If your system is oversized, the thermostat satisfies rapidly and fails to pull enough moisture from the air. Ask your heating and cooling pro to examine reasonable heat ratio, air flow, and run time. You desire constant, longer cycles, not brief bursts.
Maintenance is simple but not optional. Clean weep holes on sliders, wash salt spray from frames, and oil hardware yearly with a silicone-based item that will not gum up in heat. Little practices extend lifespan.
There are legitimate factors to best window installation options blend services. A pair of hardly ever utilized garage windows can keep removable panels to shave budget plan. A deep-set patio with very little sun direct exposure may do fine with accordion shutters if you prioritize other upgrades like a brand-new roof deck accessory or a prepared garage door. Shutters can likewise secure outdoor kitchens 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 manual overrides for roll-downs make a distinction. Appoint obligation for implementation and practice when beyond a storm watch. Inventory your hardware. The day you require 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 air conditioning cycles calmly rather of racing at 4 p.m. You sleep without freight trains of wind sound when a squall line passes at 2 a.m. When a cyclone threatens, your preparation list gets shorter. You lock the sashes, set storm mode on the alarm, and concentrate on individuals instead of panels.
For a number of my customers, that intangible is the deciding aspect. They know storms will come. They likewise know life in South Florida is too good to live inside a fortress that only awakens in August. Miami-Dade authorized windows give you both: a clear view of Biscayne Bay on a breezy February morning and peaceful self-confidence when the spaghetti models point our way in September.

If you are weighing the choice, start with a site-specific evaluation. Match your direct exposures to create pressures, pick the right laminated glass stack for wind and heat, select frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and hire a crew that respects the load path. Done right, energy‑efficient impact windows deliver what shutters can not: defense that never requests for a ladder and a much better home every day of the year.