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 stockpile, and the ritual of hauling ladders to mount panels. After twenty years specifying, installing, and troubleshooting building envelopes from Key Largo to Palm Beach, I've seen what holds up and what doesn't. When the goal is real protection with year-round comfort, Miami-Dade approved, energy‑efficient impact windows outshine shutters in ways that surpass storm day. They alter how a home feels in August, how peaceful your living room stays 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 lots of South Florida house owners are moving from shutters to hurricane impact-resistant windows, how to check out the requirements behind "Miami-Dade authorized," what products matter, and how to get the installation right the first time.
Miami-Dade County's Product Control Department sets among the most difficult criteria in the nation for constructing components exposed to windborne particles. Approval is not a marketing sticker label. It is earned through specific laboratory tests that mimic real cyclone conditions.
First comes large missile effect. A 9-pound 2x4 is contended 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 exact same system faces cyclic pressure loading, thousands of pressurization and depressurization cycles that imitate fast wind gusts over hours. If the glass stays in the frame without letting the envelope breach, it passes. The distinction in between "satisfies Florida building regulations windows" and "Miami-Dade approved windows" typically lives in these test thresholds. Miami-Dade is merely stiffer, especially in High Velocity Typhoon Zone requirements, that include Miami-Dade and Broward.
Wind rankings vary by opening size and design 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 protected direct exposures, ratings in the +45/ -60 PSF variety can suffice, but you size and spec based upon the website's wind map, building height, and surrounding structures. An expert knows that a corner exposure at the 2nd story demands different reinforcement than a protected window under a deep porch.
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 forecast track tightens up, the last thing you want is a ladder, a dead cordless drill, and a missing wing nut.
Impact windows reside in location. You get constant security, even if a pop-up storm surprises you while you're stuck on United States 1. You likewise get advantages every day of the year.
Noise control is the most underappreciated benefit. Laminated impact glass is basically a sandwich: 2 panes of glass bonded by a resistant interlayer, generally PVB interlayer glass or SentryGlas. That interlayer damps sound. On jobs along hectic passages like Biscayne Boulevard or near flight paths, I've measured interior sound drops in the 5 to 10 decibel range, in some cases more when paired with insulated glass units.
Security enhances since laminated glass resists required entry. A burglar can shatter the external lite with a hammer, but the interlayer holds the shards. They meet a sticky, persistent membrane instead of a quick course inside. Insurance coverage underwriters know this, which is why policies typically use credits for effect windows and doors. In my projects, premiums normally drop 10 to 25 percent, depending upon the provider and the number of openings are protected.
Energy efficiency is the 3rd pillar. hurricane resistant windows solutions Energy-efficient impact windows with contemporary low-E impact glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while maintaining 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 replaced 1980s single-pane sliders with laminated low-E effect systems. buy hurricane proof windows Boca Raton Summer afternoon peak load visited roughly a ton of cooling, and the home's yearly electrical power use fell in between 12 and 18 percent. Outcomes vary with shading, attic insulation, and heating and cooling performance, but the direction is consistent.
Laminated effect glass is the heart of the system, however not all laminated products 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 improve effect resistance and sound control, however they include weight and cost. For oceanfront or high openings, you might see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and stronger than PVB, enabling thinner areas to achieve higher design pressures. For noise-sensitive websites, acoustic PVB formulas modify the polymer to better take in sound in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz range, where traffic and voices sit.
Tempered glass windows come 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 system. But tempered alone is not impact-resistant in the cyclone sense. When it fails, it blows up into little cubes and falls out of the frame, which leaves the opening vulnerable. The effect efficiency originates from laminated building and construction, not tempering by itself. Lots of systems use a tempered external lite laminated to a hardened inner lite, or both tempered, but always bonded through a PVB or ionoplast interlayer.
Low-E finishings matter for convenience. A soft-coat low-E tuned for South Florida generally targets a solar heat gain coefficient in the 0.25 to 0.35 variety while keeping visible light transmission around 50 percent or higher. 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 typically tighten up SHGC and accept a small tint to handle morning and afternoon blasts. On north elevations, I lean toward higher noticeable 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 improved glazing gaskets have narrowed the energy space with vinyl. Top quality vinyl impact frames, when strengthened properly, can perform well for standard-sized openings and have better insulating worths, but I prevent them for extremely wide sliders or tall storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad systems look lovely in older Mediterranean Revival homes, however they require cautious maintenance and smart flashing. The Florida sun destroys low-cost vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum surfaces rapidly. Look for powder-coated finishes rated for coastal exposure, and demand written service warranty details in salt-air environments.
Window installation can make or break performance. An expensive system set up like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's tension test. The load path is the essence. 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 cinder block building, you want stainless or hot-dipped galvanized anchors embedded into solid material. Hollow cells need to 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 should bite into solid trimmers, not simply sheathing. Shimming and plumb positioning matter so the locks engage easily and the weatherstripping compresses evenly.
The sealant joint is not just aesthetic. A properly 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 huge and it remedies inadequately. On seaside jobs, I never ever match different metals without a barrier, and I constantly specify corrosion-resistant fasteners. 10 years later, you will see who took shortcuts.
Flashing is the other non-negotiable. Pan flashing at sills, self-adhered membranes at jambs and heads, and integration with the water-resistive barrier are vital. If you count on sealant alone, water will find its way in. That wetness might disappoint up as a drip. It may rot a sill plate gradually, then betray itself as a buckling floor or a moldy smell 2 hurricane seasons later.
I have nothing against properly designed shutters. Accordion shutters that are kept and lubed, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even detachable panels stored thoroughly can secure homes efficiently. They also assist in particular cases.
Second homes or seasonal rentals where budget plan is tight sometimes lean on shutters to satisfy the Florida building code windows requirement for secured openings. On specialized openings like a lanai that is hardly ever utilized in summertime, a tidy motorized roll-down can be sensible, particularly if coupling with effect windows and doors somewhere else 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 the house when released, and they need action at specifically the time you are managing insurance coverage documents, gas cans, and household logistics. During Cyclone Irma, I watched a neighbor try to mount 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 endured with stitches. His living room window did not. Shutters also rattle and can vibrate under continual winds, sometimes loosening up fasteners over time if not maintained.
For long-term owners who wish to set it and forget it, effect windows offer cyclone evidence windows coverage while preserving daytime and view. The convenience grows important once you have actually experienced one storm season with zero preparation beyond locking the sash.
South Florida homes fight two battles: latent load from humidity and practical load from direct solar heat gain. Effect glass upgrades can assist both if specified intelligently.
Low-E effect glass utilizes microscopically thin metal layers to reflect infrared energy while letting visible light through. With the ideal coating stacks, you can obstruct a big part of convected heat and UV. UV obstruction in laminated systems comes mostly from the interlayer itself, which usually filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, minimizing fading of fabrics and floor covering. Add the low-E, and you suppress the solar heat that drives your AC insane midafternoon.
I examine glass specs with three numbers: U-factor, SHGC, and VT. While U-factor matters more up north, it still helps here by decreasing nighttime heat flow and keeping the interior glass temperature level closer to space temperature level, which lowers condensation danger. SHGC drives how much solar heat enters. VT influences how intense the interior feels. Balance is crucial. Some property owners want the crisp, clear look of greater VT, even if it means accepting a couple of degrees more heat in late afternoon, because their landscaping and roofing overhangs already do some shading. Others prefer a stronger tint for glare control on waterside lots that show harsh light.
In useful terms, going from clear single-pane sliders to modern-day low-E laminated double-glazed units can reduce peak solar gains by 30 to half on the most exposed sides. Couple that with tuned overhangs, light-colored exterior surfaces, and an appropriately sized variable-speed heating and cooling, and you begin to construct strength. If the grid goes down and you change to a generator, a lower cooling load indicates a smaller generator and less gallons of fuel.
Miami-Dade Notification of Acceptance, or NOA, is the document you request. It information the authorized setups, sizes, anchors, and pressures tested. It is not enough to hear "these are Miami-Dade approved windows" in a display room. Verify the NOA matches the exact design and options you are purchasing, including the glazing makeup and hardware. If you are in Broward or Miami-Dade, your permitting workplace will desire this paper trail.
Statewide, the Florida Item Approval system supplies FL numbers that show code compliance. In the rest of the state outside the High Speed Cyclone Zone, Florida building code windows can count on Florida Product Approval without Miami-Dade specific NOAs. Numerous top manufacturers bring both. Where budget plans enable, I prefer NOA items even outside the zone due to the fact that the testing is stiffer.
NFRC labels deal with energy metrics. They won't inform you effect efficiency, but they show U-factor, SHGC, VT, and air leakage. Aim for air leak at or below 0.3 cfm/ft TWO. Tighter is much better for humidity control, however ensure your home still has stabilized ventilation. Sealing the envelope and neglecting fresh air is a dish for indoor air quality complaints.
Impact windows cost more upfront than shutters. There's no spin around that. Set up expenses differ with size, shape, surface, and access. On simple single-family homes, per-opening expenses frequently land in between 1,200 and 3,000 dollars for standard sizes. Big multi-panel sliders, customized arches, and coastal-grade finishes raise the numbers quickly.
Where you recover value:
If you prepare to own the residential or commercial property for 5 years or more, the math often tilts in favor of effect windows, particularly affordable Boca Raton impact windows when you factor the intangible of peace of mind. If you prepare to offer within a year and require to show compliance rapidly, shutters may make more short-term sense. Context matters.
I take notice of hardware and devices. Multi-point locks on casements and awnings enhance seal compression and security. For sliders, robust tandem rollers in stainless housings glide smoother and last longer on sandy patios. Look at the sill style on sliding doors. Weep systems should be engineered to drain pipes heavy rains without letting wind-driven water blow back in. Ask to see a cutaway sample in the showroom.

Tint colors and reflectivity are more than style. Reflective films can run afoul of neighborhood associations or produce mirror-like glare towards surrounding homes. In coastal environments, extremely reflective glass can puzzle birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Local pros know which finishes balance performance with compliance.
Color stability is a huge offer. Dark bronze or black frames look wonderful on modern-day homes, but in Florida sun low-cost finishes chalk and fade. AAMA 2605-rated finishes offer the very best color retention and chalk resistance. I define them for seaside direct exposures whenever budgets allow.
Historic districts often require profiles that mimic old wood sash sightlines. There are impact-rated windows that fit these requirements, however lead times lengthen and costs climb. Expect extra review by architectural boards, and line up a specialist familiar with these submissions.
Condos have another layer of governance. Associations in some cases define a narrow list of approved products for harmony. They also appreciate sound control in between units. If your structure sits directly on Collins Avenue or faces a busy beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated alternatives. Work with building management on staging and lift access. Weekend work windows and minimal parking can include days and dollars.
Large openings, like a 16-foot-wide slider, need special attention in design pressure, deflection, and running hardware. Not every unit that looks strong in a showroom fulfills the wind loads on a ninth-floor veranda. Do not count on brochure maximum sizes. Use the NOA tables that represent your website's zone, positive and unfavorable pressures, and mullion mixes if any.
The finest jobs start with a measured study and direct exposure analysis. You map each opening, keep in mind the substrate, and determine any framing irregularities or settlement fractures. Throughout proposition, the professional commercial window installation Boca Raton shows you the NOA and the Florida Product Approval, lists 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 set up day, they eliminate one opening at a time to keep the house secure. They safeguard floors, draw back window treatments, and cap sprinklers. Old frames bring out care to maintain interior surfaces. New systems get dry-fit, shimmed, and anchored per the schedule. The crew checks squareness and diagonals before setting sealant. They photo anchors for the permit file, particularly if they will be hidden. After glazing, they water-test with a controlled spray to confirm drainage courses and seals. The inspector sees a cool jobsite, clear labels, and documentation in order.
Six months later, your windows still close with two fingers, locks bite smoothly, and there is no mystery rattle throughout thunderstorms. You did not have to require a roller change after the very first week. That is the standard.
Impact score does not equal breakproof. Laminated glass can crack under serious impacts, however it needs to remain in the frame and hold together. After a storm that sends out particles into the glass, you may see star cracks or spidering. The window did its task. Change the sash or IGU after the event.
Window films do not transform non-impact windows into typhoon impact-resistant windows. They can include shatter resistance, but they do not replacement for an evaluated, anchored system. Your insurer and structure department will not count movies as safeguarded openings.
Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient impact windows minimize air leakage. That's fantastic, but it increases the value of an appropriately sized HVAC with good dehumidification. If your system is large, the thermostat pleases quickly and stops working to pull enough moisture from the air. Ask your heating and cooling pro to examine sensible heat ratio, air flow, and run time. You want constant, longer cycles, not brief bursts.
Maintenance is straightforward but not optional. Tidy weep holes on sliders, wash salt spray from frames, and lube hardware every year with a silicone-based product that will not gum up in heat. Small habits extend lifespan.
There are genuine reasons to mix services. A pair of rarely utilized garage windows can keep detachable panels to shave budget plan. A deep-set deck with very little sun direct exposure may do fine with accordion shutters if you focus on other upgrades like a new roofing system deck attachment or a prepared garage door. Shutters can likewise safeguard outdoor cooking areas or cabana openings where grease and smoke would age elegant hardware prematurely.
If you select shutters, purchase quality. Stainless fasteners, smooth tracks, and motors with handbook bypasses for roll-downs make a distinction. Assign responsibility for implementation and practice when beyond a storm watch. Inventory your hardware. The day you need 32 wing nuts is not the morning you wish to discover you have 29.
Impact windows are not just about enduring the big one. They reshape daily living. The living room stays cooler and quieter. The a/c cycles calmly rather of racing at 4 p.m. You sleep without freight trains of wind sound when a squall line passes at 2 a.m. When a hurricane threatens, your preparation list gets shorter. You lock the sashes, set storm mode on the alarm, and concentrate on people rather than panels.
For many of my customers, that intangible is the deciding aspect. They know storms will come. They likewise know life in South Florida is too excellent to live inside a fortress that just gets up in August. Miami-Dade authorized windows offer you both: a clear view of Biscayne Bay on a breezy February morning and quiet self-confidence when the spaghetti models point our way in September.
If you are weighing the option, start with a site-specific assessment. Match your direct exposures to create pressures, choose the right laminated glass stack for wind and heat, choose frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and employ a team that respects the load path. Done right, energy‑efficient impact windows deliver what shutters can not: protection that never asks for a ladder and a better home every day of the year.