November 3, 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.

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

Business Hours

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

People Also Ask about STS Impact Windows and Doors

What does STS Impact Windows and Doors do?

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

Where is STS Impact Windows and Doors located?

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

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

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

What services does STS Impact Windows and Doors provide?

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

Who does STS Impact Windows and Doors serve?

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

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

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

What awards has STS Impact Windows and Doors won?

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

How can I contact STS Impact Windows and Doors?

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


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

Hurricane season shapes life along Florida's coasts. You feel it in the method neighbors track tropical waves, the pre-storm rush to stockpile, and the routine of carrying ladders to install panels. After twenty years defining, installing, and fixing structure envelopes from Key Largo to Palm Beach, I've seen what holds up and what does not. When the objective is real security with year-round comfort, Miami-Dade authorized, energy‑efficient impact windows outshine shutters in manner ins which surpass storm day. They change 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 faster than predicted.

This is a practical take a look at why lots of South Florida house owners are moving from shutters to typhoon impact-resistant windows, how to read the requirements behind "Miami-Dade approved," what products matter, and how to get the installation right the very first time.

What "Miami-Dade Approved" actually means

Miami-Dade County's Item Control Division sets one of the toughest standards in the nation for constructing elements exposed to windborne debris. Approval is not a marketing sticker. It is earned through specific lab tests that simulate genuine typhoon conditions.

First comes big missile impact. A 9-pound 2x4 is shot at the glass at roughly 34 miles per hour. That imitates roofing tiles, branches, or pieces of fencing that fly in the eyewall. After the impact, the very same unit faces cyclic pressure loading, countless pressurization and depressurization cycles that imitate fast wind gusts over hours. If the glass remains in the frame without letting the envelope breach, it passes. The distinction between "meets Florida building regulations windows" and "Miami-Dade authorized windows" often lives in these test thresholds. Miami-Dade is simply stiffer, particularly in High Speed Hurricane Zone requirements, which include Miami-Dade and Broward.

Wind ratings vary by opening size and style pressures, represented as PSF worths. On ocean-facing homes or high-rises, I often define systems ranked at +60/ -80 PSF or higher. Inland or in more secured direct exposures, scores in the +45/ -60 PSF variety can be enough, however you size and spec based on the website's wind map, building height, and surrounding structures. An expert understands that a corner direct exposure at the 2nd story needs various reinforcement than a sheltered window under a deep porch.

Why effect windows alter the daily experience, not just storm season

Hurricane shutters vs effect windows is not a one-to-one contrast. Shutters can meet code, and they're much better than nothing. However 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 desire 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 United States 1. You also get advantages every day of the year.

Noise control is the most underappreciated advantage. Laminated effect glass is basically a sandwich: 2 panes of glass bonded by a durable interlayer, normally PVB interlayer glass or SentryGlas. That interlayer damps sound. On tasks along hectic passages like Biscayne Boulevard or near flight courses, I've measured interior sound drops in the 5 to 10 decibel variety, often more when paired with insulated glass units.

Security improves because laminated glass withstands forced entry. A robber can shatter the external lite with a hammer, but the interlayer holds the shards. They fulfill a sticky, stubborn membrane rather of a fast path inside. Insurance coverage underwriters know this, which is why policies frequently offer credits for impact doors and windows. In my jobs, premiums usually drop 10 to 25 percent, depending upon the provider and the number of openings are protected.

Energy performance is the third pillar. Energy-efficient impact windows with modern-day low-E impact glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while maintaining visible light. That indicates less air conditioning demand, particularly on west and south direct exposures where the afternoon sun penalizes interiors. In one Coral Gables retrofit, we replaced 1980s single-pane sliders with laminated low-E impact systems. Summer season afternoon peak load come by roughly a lots of cooling, and the home's annual electricity usage fell between 12 and 18 percent. Outcomes differ with shading, attic insulation, and a/c effectiveness, but the direction is consistent.

Material choices that matter: glass, interlayers, and frames

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

Most property typhoon windows use a PVB interlayer glass stack, frequently 0.030 to 0.090 inches thick in single or several plies. Thicker interlayers improve effect resistance and sound control, however they add weight and expense. For oceanfront or high openings, you might see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and more powerful than PVB, allowing thinner sections to accomplish higher style pressures. For noise-sensitive sites, acoustic PVB formulas tweak the polymer to better soak up noise in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz variety, where traffic and voices sit.

Tempered glass windows show up typically in conversations since tempered glass is more powerful in flexing than annealed glass. That's true, and tempered lites are frequently utilized as the external or inner ply in an Boca Raton impact window suppliers effect unit. But tempered alone is not impact-resistant in the typhoon sense. When it stops working, it blows up into little cubes and falls out of the frame, which leaves the opening susceptible. The effect performance originates from laminated building and construction, 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 variety while keeping visible light transmission around 50 percent or greater. Go too short on SHGC and the glass can look gray or green, particularly in larger openings. The sweet area depends on your façade orientation and shading. On east and west elevations, I often tighten SHGC and accept a slight tint to manage early morning and afternoon blasts. On north elevations, I favor greater visible transmittance for daylighting.

Frames are the other half of the story. Aluminum frames control here since they handle big openings and will not swell. Thermal breaks and improved glazing gaskets have actually narrowed the energy gap with vinyl. High-quality vinyl impact frames, when reinforced effectively, can carry out well for standard-sized openings and have much better insulating values, but I avoid them for very large sliders or tall storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad units look stunning in older Mediterranean Revival homes, but they require cautious upkeep and wise flashing. The Florida sun ruins inexpensive vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum surfaces rapidly. Try to find powder-coated surfaces ranked for coastal exposure, and request written service warranty information in salt-air environments.

The covert hero: installation that respects the load path

Window setup can make or break performance. A pricey system set up 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 desire stainless or hot-dipped galvanized anchors embedded into strong material. Hollow cells need to be grouted or you need to strike the bond beam. Tapcons in soft, unfilled block are a failure waiting to take place. In wood-framed houses, structural screws should bite into solid trimmers, not simply sheathing. Shimming and plumb alignment matter so the locks engage cleanly and the weatherstripping compresses evenly.

The sealant joint is not simply aesthetic. A correctly sized backer rod and top quality polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant create a resilient, versatile seal that manages thermal expansion. Too little a bead and it tears under movement. Too big and it cures inadequately. On seaside jobs, I never ever pair dissimilar metals without a barrier, and I constantly define corrosion-resistant fasteners. Ten 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 essential. If you count on sealant alone, water will discover its method. That wetness may not show up as a drip. It might rot a sill plate slowly, then betray itself as a buckling flooring or a moldy odor 2 hurricane seasons later.

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

I have nothing against properly designed shutters. Accordion shutters that are preserved and lubed, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even detachable panels saved thoroughly can protect homes successfully. They likewise help in specific cases.

Second homes or seasonal rentals where spending plan is tight sometimes lean on shutters to satisfy the Florida building code windows requirement for safeguarded openings. On specialized openings like a lanai that is rarely utilized in summer season, a clean motorized roll-down can be reasonable, specifically if pairing with impact doors and windows in other places worries the budget. For homeowners who plan to move within a year, shutters can be a short bridge to compliance before a sale.

But shutters bring trade-offs. They darken the house when released, and they require action at specifically the time you are handling insurance documents, gas cans, and family logistics. During Typhoon Irma, I viewed a 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 room. He made it through with stitches. His living-room window did not. Shutters also rattle and can vibrate under continual winds, in some cases loosening up fasteners gradually if not maintained.

For long-term owners who want to set it and forget it, impact windows provide typhoon proof windows protection while maintaining daylight 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 specifications equate to comfort and bills

South Florida homes combat two fights: hidden load from humidity and sensible load from direct solar heat gain. Impact glass upgrades can assist both if defined intelligently.

Low-E impact glass uses microscopically thin metallic layers to reflect infrared energy while letting noticeable light through. With the best finishing stacks, you can block a big part of radiant heat and UV. affordable hurricane proof windows UV clog in laminated units comes largely from the interlayer itself, which usually filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, lowering fading of materials and flooring. Add the low-E, and you curb the solar heat that drives your a/c crazy midafternoon.

I evaluate glass specifications with three numbers: U-factor, SHGC, and VT. While U-factor matters more up north, it still assists here by minimizing nighttime heat flow and keeping the interior glass temperature level closer to space temperature, which decreases condensation risk. SHGC drives how much solar heat goes into. VT affects how bright the interior feels. Balance is essential. Some property owners want the crisp, clear appearance of higher VT, even if it implies accepting a couple of degrees more heat in late afternoon, since their landscaping and roof overhangs already do some shading. Others prefer a more powerful tint for glare control on waterside lots that reflect severe light.

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

Reading labels and approvals without getting lost in alphabet soup

Miami-Dade Notice of Approval, or NOA, is the file you request for. It details the authorized setups, sizes, anchors, and pressures tested. It is insufficient to hear "these are Miami-Dade approved windows" in a display room. Verify the NOA matches the precise model and choices you are buying, consisting of the glazing makeup and hardware. If you remain in Broward or Miami-Dade, your allowing workplace will desire this paper trail.

Statewide, the Florida Item Approval system offers FL numbers that show code compliance. In the remainder of the state outside the High Velocity Typhoon Zone, Florida building regulations windows can rely on Florida Product Approval without Miami-Dade specific NOAs. Numerous top makers bring both. Where budgets allow, I choose NOA products even outside the zone due to the fact that the screening is stiffer.

NFRC labels manage energy metrics. They will not tell 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, however make sure your home still has stabilized ventilation. Sealing the envelope and ignoring fresh air is a dish for indoor air quality complaints.

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

Impact windows cost more in advance than shutters. There's no spin around that. Set up costs vary with size, shape, surface, and access. On straightforward single-family homes, per-opening costs typically land between 1,200 and 3,000 dollars for basic sizes. Big multi-panel sliders, custom arches, and coastal-grade surfaces raise the numbers quickly.

Where you recover worth:

  • Insurance credits build up, typically 10 to 25 percent off premiums when all openings are protected.
  • Energy savings, typically 8 to 20 percent on yearly cooling costs in older homes after a full window upgrade paired with sealing and attic improvements.
  • Resale appeal, specifically in markets where buyers anticipate effect doors and windows as a baseline. A home with accordion shutters competes, but a home with storm effect windows shows better, feels quieter, and typically evaluates stronger.

If you plan to own the property for 5 years or more, the mathematics frequently tilts in favor of effect windows, especially when you factor the intangible of comfort. If you prepare to sell within a year and require to show compliance rapidly, shutters might make more short-term sense. Context matters.

Details that separate great systems from great ones

I take note of hardware and devices. Multi-point locks on sashes and awnings enhance seal compression and security. For sliders, robust tandem rollers in stainless housings glide smoother and last longer on sandy patio areas. Look at the sill style on moving doors. Weep systems need to 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 style. Reflective movies can run afoul of neighborhood watch or produce mirror-like glare towards surrounding residential or commercial properties. In coastal ecosystems, extremely reflective glass can confuse birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Local pros understand which coverings balance performance with compliance.

Color stability is a huge offer. Dark bronze or black frames look great on contemporary homes, however in Florida sun low-cost surfaces chalk and fade. AAMA 2605-rated coatings offer the best color retention and chalk resistance. I define them for coastal exposures whenever spending plans allow.

Special cases: historic homes, apartments, and difficult openings

Historic districts often need profiles that mimic old wood sash sightlines. There are impact-rated windows that fit these requirements, but lead times extend and costs climb. Anticipate extra evaluation by architectural boards, and line up a professional familiar with these submissions.

Condos have another layer of governance. Associations sometimes specify a narrow list of approved products for uniformity. They also appreciate noise control in between units. If your building sits straight on Collins Avenue or deals with a hectic beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated options. Work with building management on staging and lift gain access to. Weekend work windows and minimal parking can add days and dollars.

Large openings, like a 16-foot-wide slider, need special attention in style pressure, deflection, and operating hardware. Not every unit that looks tough in a showroom fulfills the wind loads on a ninth-floor terrace. Do not count on brochure maximum sizes. Utilize the NOA tables that represent your site's zone, favorable and unfavorable pressures, and mullion mixes if any.

What a clean task appears like from study to last inspection

The best jobs begin with a measured study and exposure analysis. You map each opening, keep in mind the substrate, and recognize any framing irregularities or settlement fractures. Throughout proposition, the contractor shows you the NOA and the Florida Item Approval, notes anchor types, and discusses 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 home protected. They protect floorings, draw back window treatments, and cap sprinklers. Old frames come out with care to preserve interior finishes. New units get dry-fit, shimmed, and anchored per the schedule. The crew checks squareness and diagonals before setting sealant. They picture anchors for the license file, particularly if they will be hidden. After glazing, they water-test with a regulated spray to verify drain paths 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 need to call for a roller adjustment after the first week. That is the standard.

Frequently misconstrued points that cost house owners later

Impact ranking does not equivalent breakproof. Laminated glass can break under extreme effects, however it needs to stay in the frame and hold together. After a storm that sends out particles into the glass, you may see star fractures or spidering. The window did its task. Replace the sash or IGU after the event.

Window movies do not convert non-impact windows into cyclone impact-resistant windows. They can include shatter resistance, but they do not substitute for a tested, anchored system. Your insurer and building department will not count movies as secured openings.

Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient effect windows minimize air leakage. That's excellent, however it increases the importance of an effectively sized a/c with good dehumidification. If your system is large, the thermostat pleases quickly and fails to pull enough moisture from the air. Ask your heating and cooling pro to inspect practical heat ratio, airflow, and run time. You desire stable, longer cycles, not brief bursts.

Maintenance is uncomplicated but 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 routines extend lifespan.

When shutters still belong in the conversation

There are legitimate reasons to mix services. A pair of hardly ever used garage windows can keep removable panels to shave spending plan. A deep-set porch with very little sun exposure may do great with accordion shutters if you prioritize other upgrades like a new roofing deck attachment or a prepared garage door. Shutters can likewise protect outside kitchens or cabana openings where grease and smoke would age fancy hardware prematurely.

If you pick shutters, purchase quality. Stainless fasteners, smooth tracks, and motors with manual bypasses for roll-downs make a difference. Appoint responsibility for release and practice when beyond a storm watch. Inventory your hardware. The day you require 32 wing nuts is not the morning you want to find you have 29.

The bottom line: peace of mind you can feel on a peaceful Tuesday

Impact windows are not only about making it through the huge one. They reshape 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 typhoon threatens, your preparation list gets much shorter. You lock the sashes, set storm mode on the alarm, and focus on people rather than panels.

For much of my customers, that intangible is the deciding element. They understand storms will come. They likewise understand life in South Florida is too excellent to live inside a fortress that only wakes up in August. Miami-Dade authorized windows provide you both: a clear view of Biscayne Bay on a breezy February morning and peaceful confidence when the spaghetti designs point our way in September.

If you are weighing the option, start with a site-specific assessment. Match your exposures to create pressures, select the best laminated glass stack for wind and heat, select frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and hire a crew that appreciates the load course. Done right, energy‑efficient effect windows provide what shutters can not: defense that never 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.