October 18, 2025

Hurricane-Proof Peace of Mind: Picking 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.

View on Google Maps
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
STS Impact Windows & Doors Logo
Follow us: Facebook | Instagram

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/
STS Impact Windows and Doors has Google Business Profile https://maps.app.goo.gl/3G8xjFMpsJzufTpC6
STS Impact Windows and Doors has Facebook profile https://web.facebook.com/STSimpactwondowsanddoors/
STS Impact Windows and Doors has Instagram profile https://www.instagram.com/sts.impact.windows/
STS Impact Windows and Doors has logo https://stswindows.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/website-sts-doors-roofing-logo.png
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 stock up, and the routine of hauling ladders to install panels. After two decades defining, installing, and fixing building envelopes from Key Largo to Palm Beach, I have actually seen what holds up and what does not. When the goal is real security with year-round convenience, Miami-Dade authorized, energy‑efficient impact windows outperform shutters in manner ins which exceed storm day. They change how a house feels in August, how quiet your living room stays on a Saturday night, and how positive you are when a storm line spins up much faster than predicted.

This is a useful look at why many South Florida house owners are moving from shutters to cyclone impact-resistant windows, how to check out the requirements behind "Miami-Dade approved," what materials matter, and how to get the installation right the first time.

What "Miami-Dade Approved" really means

Miami-Dade County's Product Control Division sets one of the hardest criteria in the nation for developing elements exposed to windborne impact windows debris. Approval is not a marketing sticker. It is earned through specific lab tests that imitate genuine typhoon conditions.

First comes large missile effect. 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 impact, the same system 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 distinction between "meets Florida building code windows" and "Miami-Dade approved windows" often lives in these test limits. Miami-Dade is simply stiffer, particularly in High Velocity Cyclone Zone requirements, that include Miami-Dade and Broward.

Wind scores differ by opening size and style pressures, represented as PSF worths. On ocean-facing homes or high-rises, I typically specify units ranked at +60/ -80 PSF or greater. Inland or in more secured direct exposures, scores in the +45/ -60 PSF range can be sufficient, however you size and specification based upon the site's wind map, constructing height, and surrounding structures. An expert understands that a corner exposure at the second story needs different reinforcement than a sheltered window under a deep porch.

Why impact windows alter the day-to-day experience, not simply storm season

Hurricane shutters vs impact windows is not a one-to-one contrast. Shutters can meet code, and they're much better than Aluminum impact windows absolutely nothing. But they ask you to do operate at the worst possible time. When a watch turns to a caution and the forecast track tightens up, the last thing you desire is a ladder, a dead cordless drill, and a missing wing nut.

Impact windows reside in place. You get continuous defense, even if a pop-up storm surprises you while you're stuck on US 1. You also get benefits 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 resilient interlayer, generally PVB interlayer glass or SentryGlas. That interlayer damps noise. On jobs along busy corridors like Biscayne Boulevard or near flight paths, I have actually measured interior sound drops in the 5 to 10 decibel variety, often more when paired with insulated glass units.

Security improves since laminated glass withstands required entry. A burglar can shatter the external lite with a hammer, but the interlayer holds the shards. They fulfill a sticky, persistent membrane rather of a fast course inside. Insurance coverage underwriters understand this, which is why policies often use credits for effect windows and doors. In my jobs, premiums generally drop 10 to 25 percent, depending upon the provider and how many openings are protected.

Energy efficiency is the third pillar. Energy-efficient impact windows with modern low-E impact glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while protecting visible light. That means less air conditioning demand, specifically on west and south exposures where the afternoon sun punishes interiors. In one Coral Gables retrofit, we replaced 1980s single-pane sliders with vinyl impact windows laminated low-E impact systems. Summertime afternoon peak load stopped by roughly a ton of cooling, and the home's annual electrical power use fell in between 12 and 18 percent. Outcomes vary with shading, attic insulation, and a/c effectiveness, but the instructions window installation Florida code is consistent.

Material options that matter: glass, interlayers, and frames

Laminated impact glass is the heart of the system, but not all laminated products are equal.

Most residential cyclone windows utilize a PVB interlayer glass stack, typically 0.030 to 0.090 inches thick in single or numerous plies. Thicker interlayers improve effect resistance and sound control, however they add weight and expense. For oceanfront or high openings, you may see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and more powerful than PVB, enabling thinner areas to accomplish greater design pressures. For noise-sensitive websites, acoustic PVB solutions 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 come up frequently in discussions due to the fact that tempered glass is more powerful in flexing than annealed glass. That's true, and tempered lites are typically utilized as the outer or inner ply in an effect system. However tempered alone is not impact-resistant in the hurricane sense. When it stops working, it blows up into little cubes and falls out of the frame, which leaves the opening susceptible. The impact performance originates from laminated construction, not tempering by itself. Lots of systems use a tempered outer lite laminated to an annealed inner lite, or both tempered, however constantly bonded through a PVB or ionoplast interlayer.

Low-E coatings matter for convenience. A soft-coat low-E tuned for South Florida usually targets a solar heat gain coefficient in the 0.25 to 0.35 range while keeping noticeable light transmission around half or greater. Go too low on SHGC and the glass can look gray or green, especially in bigger openings. The sweet spot depends on your exterior orientation and shading. On east and west elevations, I typically tighten 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 deal with big openings and won't swell. Thermal breaks and enhanced glazing gaskets have narrowed the energy space with vinyl. Top quality vinyl effect frames, when reinforced effectively, can carry out well for standard-sized openings and have better insulating values, however I avoid them for really broad sliders or high storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad systems look stunning in older Mediterranean Revival homes, however they demand cautious upkeep and clever flashing. The Florida sun destroys cheap vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum surfaces quickly. Search for powder-coated surfaces rated for seaside exposure, and demand written guarantee details in salt-air environments.

The concealed hero: installation that respects the load path

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 course is the crux. Impact forces need to take a trip from the glass through the frame, to the anchors, into the substrate, and after that into the structure's framing or masonry.

In cinder block construction, you want stainless or hot-dipped galvanized anchors embedded into strong material. Hollow cells should be grouted or you require to hit the bond beam. Tapcons in soft, unfilled block are a failure waiting to happen. In wood-framed homes, structural screws should bite into solid trimmers, not just sheathing. Shimming and plumb alignment matter so the locks engage easily and the weatherstripping compresses evenly.

The sealant joint is not just aesthetic. A correctly sized backer rod and high-quality polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant develop a long lasting, flexible seal that handles thermal expansion. Too little a bead and it tears under motion. Too huge and it cures improperly. On seaside tasks, I never ever pair dissimilar metals without a barrier, and I always 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 integration with the water-resistive barrier are vital. If you rely on sealant alone, water will find its way in. That wetness might disappoint up as a drip. It may rot a sill plate slowly, then betray itself as a buckling flooring or a musty odor 2 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 kept and oiled, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even detachable panels stored thoroughly can secure homes efficiently. They likewise assist in certain cases.

Second homes or seasonal rentals where spending plan is tight sometimes lean on shutters to meet the Florida building regulations windows requirement for protected openings. On specialized openings like a lanai that is hardly ever used in summer, a clean motorized roll-down can be sensible, especially if pairing with impact doors and windows elsewhere stresses the budget. For homeowners who prepare to move within a year, shutters can be a short bridge to compliance before a sale.

But shutters bring trade-offs. They darken your house when released, and they require action at specifically the time you are handling insurance documents, gas cans, and household logistics. During Cyclone Irma, I viewed a next-door neighbor try to install steel panels hours before landfall. The ladder sank in saturated soil, a panel slipped, and we invested the next hour in the urgent care waiting space. He made it through with stitches. His living room window did not. Shutters likewise rattle and can vibrate under sustained winds, sometimes loosening fasteners over time if not maintained.

For long-lasting owners who want to set it and forget it, impact windows give cyclone proof windows coverage while maintaining daytime and view. The convenience grows valuable once you've experienced one storm season with zero prep beyond locking the sash.

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

South Florida homes combat 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 utilizes microscopically thin metallic layers to reflect infrared energy while letting visible light through. With the ideal finishing stacks, you can block a large portion of convected heat and UV. UV blockage in laminated systems comes mainly from the interlayer itself, which typically filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, decreasing fading of fabrics and floor covering. Include the low-E, and you curb the solar heat that drives your air conditioning insane midafternoon.

I evaluate glass specs with 3 numbers: U-factor, SHGC, and VT. While U-factor matters more up north, it still assists here by reducing nighttime heat flow and keeping the interior glass temperature closer to space temperature level, which decreases condensation danger. SHGC drives how much solar heat goes into. VT influences how brilliant the interior feels. Balance is essential. Some property owners desire the crisp, clear appearance of greater VT, even if it indicates accepting a few degrees more heat in late afternoon, due to the fact that 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 practical terms, going from clear single-pane sliders to modern low-E laminated double-glazed units can minimize peak solar gains by 30 to half on the most exposed sides. Couple that with tuned overhangs, light-colored outside finishes, and a correctly sized variable-speed heating and cooling, and you begin to build resilience. If the grid goes down and you change to a generator, a lower cooling load means a smaller sized generator and less gallons of fuel.

Reading labels and approvals without getting lost in alphabet soup

Miami-Dade Notification of Acceptance, or NOA, is the file you request. It information the authorized configurations, sizes, anchors, and pressures tested. It is inadequate to hear "these are Miami-Dade authorized windows" in a display room. Confirm the NOA matches the exact design and choices you are buying, including the glazing makeup and hardware. If you remain in Broward or Miami-Dade, your permitting office will desire this paper trail.

Statewide, the Florida Item Approval system provides FL numbers that show code compliance. In the remainder of the state outside the High Velocity Hurricane Zone, Florida building code windows can count on Florida Product Approval without Miami-Dade specific NOAs. Lots of top makers bring both. Where spending plans permit, I prefer NOA products 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 performance, but they reveal U-factor, SHGC, VT, and air leakage. Go for air leakage at or listed below 0.3 cfm/ft TWO. Tighter is much better for humidity control, but make certain your home still has actually balanced ventilation. Sealing the envelope and disregarding fresh air is a dish for indoor air quality complaints.

Dollars and sense: what to anticipate on cost, savings, and resale

Impact windows cost more in advance than shutters. There's no spin around that. Installed expenses vary with size, shape, finish, and gain access to. On straightforward single-family homes, per-opening costs frequently land in between 1,200 and 3,000 dollars for basic sizes. Large multi-panel sliders, custom arches, and coastal-grade finishes raise the numbers quickly.

Where you recover value:

  • Insurance credits accumulate, frequently 10 to 25 percent off premiums when all openings are protected.
  • Energy cost savings, normally 8 to 20 percent on annual cooling costs in older homes after a complete window upgrade paired with sealing and attic improvements.
  • Resale appeal, particularly in markets where purchasers anticipate effect doors and windows as a standard. A home with accordion shutters competes, but a home with storm impact windows reveals much better, feels quieter, and generally appraises stronger.

If you tempered glass balcony prepare to own the property for 5 years or more, the mathematics frequently tilts in favor of effect windows, particularly when you factor the intangible of assurance. If you plan to offer within a year and need to reveal compliance rapidly, shutters might make more short-term sense. Context matters.

Details that separate good systems from excellent ones

I pay attention to hardware and devices. Multi-point locks on sashes 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 design on moving 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 style. Reflective movies can run afoul of neighborhood watch or produce mirror-like glare towards surrounding homes. In coastal environments, highly reflective glass can puzzle birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Local pros understand which coatings balance efficiency with compliance.

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

Special cases: historic homes, apartments, and tricky openings

Historic districts often need profiles that mimic old wood sash sightlines. There are impact-rated windows that fit these requirements, however lead times lengthen and costs climb. Anticipate additional evaluation by architectural boards, and line up a specialist knowledgeable about these submissions.

Condos have another layer of governance. Associations in some cases specify a narrow list of authorized items for harmony. They also care about noise control in between systems. If your building sits directly on Collins Opportunity or faces a busy beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated alternatives. Work with structure 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, require special attention in style pressure, deflection, and operating hardware. Not every system that looks durable in a showroom fulfills the wind loads on a ninth-floor balcony. Do not rely on catalog maximum sizes. Utilize the NOA tables that correspond to your site's zone, favorable and negative pressures, and mullion combinations if any.

What a tidy job looks like from survey to final inspection

The finest jobs start with a measured survey and exposure analysis. You map each opening, note the substrate, and identify any framing irregularities or settlement fractures. Throughout proposition, the specialist shows you the NOA and the Florida Item Approval, lists anchor types, and describes 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 secure floorings, pull back window treatments, and cap sprinklers. Old frames bring out care to preserve interior finishes. New units get dry-fit, shimmed, and anchored per the schedule. The team checks squareness and diagonals before setting sealant. They picture anchors for the license file, especially if they will be hidden. After glazing, they water-test with a regulated spray to verify drainage paths and seals. The inspector sees a neat jobsite, clear labels, and documents in order.

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

Frequently misinterpreted points that cost house owners later

Impact rating does not equal breakproof. Laminated glass can break under extreme impacts, but it should 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 job. Replace the sash or IGU after the event.

Window movies 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 movies as protected openings.

Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient effect windows reduce air leak. That's fantastic, however it increases the value of a correctly sized a/c with excellent dehumidification. If your system is extra-large, the thermostat satisfies quickly and fails to pull enough moisture from the air. Ask your a/c pro to check practical heat ratio, airflow, and run time. You desire consistent, longer cycles, not short bursts.

Maintenance is straightforward but not optional. Clean 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 practices extend lifespan.

When shutters still belong in the conversation

There are genuine factors to mix options. A pair of hardly ever utilized garage windows can keep removable panels to shave budget. A deep-set deck with very little sun exposure may do fine with accordion shutters if you focus on other upgrades like a brand-new roofing system deck attachment or a prepared garage door. Shutters can also protect outdoor kitchen areas or cabana openings where grease and smoke would age elegant hardware prematurely.

If you pick shutters, buy quality. Stainless fasteners, smooth tracks, and motors with manual overrides for roll-downs make a difference. Appoint obligation for deployment and practice once outside of a storm watch. Inventory your hardware. The day you require 32 wing nuts is not the early morning you wish to find you have 29.

The bottom line: comfort you can feel on a quiet Tuesday

Impact windows are not only about enduring the big one. They improve daily living. The living room remains 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 cyclone 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 number of my clients, that intangible is the deciding element. They understand storms will come. They also know life in South Florida is too excellent to live inside a fortress that only awakens in August. Miami-Dade authorized windows offer you both: a clear view of Biscayne Bay on a breezy February early morning and peaceful self-confidence when the spaghetti designs point our method September.

If you are weighing the option, begin with a site-specific evaluation. Match your exposures to create pressures, select the ideal laminated glass stack for wind and heat, select frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and employ a team that respects 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.

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.