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 neighbors track tropical waves, the pre-storm rush to stockpile, and the routine of carrying ladders to mount panels. After 20 years defining, installing, and fixing structure envelopes from Secret Largo to Palm Beach, I've seen what holds up and what doesn't. When the goal is genuine protection with year-round convenience, Miami-Dade authorized, energy‑efficient effect windows outperform shutters in manner ins which surpass storm day. They change how a home feels in August, how quiet your living-room remains on a Saturday night, and how confident you are when a storm line spins up much faster than predicted.
This is a useful take a look at why lots of South Florida house owners are moving from shutters to cyclone 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 one of the toughest criteria in the nation for developing parts exposed to windborne debris. Approval is not a marketing sticker label. It is earned through specific laboratory tests that replicate real hurricane conditions.
First comes big missile impact. A 9-pound 2x4 is contended the glass at approximately 34 miles per hour. That mimics roofing tiles, branches, or pieces of fencing that fly in the eyewall. After the effect, the exact same unit deals with cyclic pressure loading, countless pressurization and depressurization cycles that simulate rapid wind gusts over hours. If the glass stays in the frame without letting the envelope breach, it passes. The distinction in between "fulfills Florida building code windows" and "Miami-Dade authorized windows" often resides in these test limits. Miami-Dade is simply stiffer, especially in High Speed Hurricane Zone requirements, which include Miami-Dade and Broward.
Wind rankings differ by opening size and design pressures, signified as PSF values. On ocean-facing residential or commercial properties or high-rises, I often define units ranked at +60/ -80 PSF or greater. Inland or in more safeguarded exposures, ratings in the +45/ -60 PSF variety can suffice, but you size and spec based on the site's wind map, developing height, and surrounding structures. An expert knows that a corner exposure at the second story needs various reinforcement than a protected window under a deep porch.
Hurricane shutters vs effect windows is not a one-to-one comparison. Shutters can satisfy code, and they're much better than 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, the last thing you desire is a ladder, a dead cordless drill, and a missing wing nut.
Impact windows live in place. You get continuous protection, even if a pop-up storm surprises you while you're stuck on US 1. You also get advantages every day of the year.
Noise control is the most underappreciated benefit. Laminated effect glass is basically a sandwich: 2 panes of glass bonded by a resistant interlayer, generally PVB interlayer glass or SentryGlas. That interlayer damps noise. On tasks along busy passages like Biscayne Boulevard or near flight paths, I've determined interior sound drops in the 5 to 10 decibel range, sometimes more when paired with insulated glass units.
Security improves because laminated glass resists forced entry. An intruder can shatter the outer lite with a hammer, however the interlayer holds the fragments. They fulfill a sticky, stubborn membrane instead of a fast path inside. Insurance underwriters understand this, which is why policies frequently provide credits for impact windows and doors. In my projects, premiums generally drop 10 to 25 percent, depending on the provider and how many openings are protected.
Energy efficiency is the 3rd pillar. Energy-efficient impact windows with modern-day low-E impact glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while protecting noticeable light. That suggests less cooling need, particularly on west and south direct exposures where the afternoon sun penalizes interiors. In one Coral Gables retrofit, we changed 1980s single-pane sliders with laminated low-E impact systems. Summer afternoon peak load visited approximately a lots of cooling, and the home's yearly electrical power use fell between 12 and 18 percent. Outcomes differ with shading, attic insulation, and HVAC effectiveness, but the instructions is consistent.
Laminated impact glass is the heart of the system, however not all laminated items are equal.
Most residential hurricane windows utilize a PVB interlayer glass stack, commonly Boca Raton window installation experts 0.030 to 0.090 inches thick in single or numerous plies. Thicker interlayers enhance 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 stronger than PVB, allowing thinner sections to attain greater style pressures. For noise-sensitive sites, acoustic PVB formulations fine-tune the polymer to much better absorb sound in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz range, where traffic and voices sit.
Tempered glass windows show up typically in discussions since tempered glass is more powerful in flexing than annealed glass. That holds true, and tempered lites are frequently used as the external or inner ply in an impact unit. However tempered alone is not impact-resistant in the cyclone sense. When it fails, it blows up into small cubes and falls out of the frame, which leaves the opening vulnerable. The impact performance originates from laminated building and construction, not tempering by itself. Many systems use a tempered external lite laminated to a hardened inner lite, or both tempered, however always bonded through a PVB or ionoplast interlayer.
Low-E coverings matter for comfort. A soft-coat low-E tuned for South Florida typically targets a solar heat gain coefficient in the 0.25 to 0.35 range 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 spot depends on your façade orientation and shading. On east and west elevations, I frequently tighten SHGC and accept a minor tint to manage morning and afternoon blasts. On north elevations, I favor 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 won't swell. Thermal breaks and enhanced glazing gaskets have actually narrowed the energy space with vinyl. High-quality vinyl impact frames, when enhanced effectively, can perform well for standard-sized openings and have better insulating values, but I avoid them for really broad sliders or high storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad units look gorgeous in older Mediterranean Revival homes, however they require mindful maintenance and smart flashing. The Florida sun destroys inexpensive vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum finishes rapidly. Search for powder-coated finishes rated for coastal direct exposure, and demand composed warranty information in salt-air environments.
Window installation can make or break efficiency. A pricey system set up like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's tension test. The load path is the essence. Impact forces have to take a trip from the glass through the frame, to the anchors, into the substrate, and then into the structure's framing or masonry.
In cinder block building, you desire stainless or hot-dipped galvanized anchors embedded into solid material. Hollow cells should be grouted or you require to strike the bond beam. Tapcons in soft, unfilled block are a failure waiting to occur. In wood-framed homes, structural screws should bite into solid trimmers, not simply sheathing. Shimming and plumb positioning matter so the locks engage cleanly and the weatherstripping compresses evenly.
The sealant joint is not just visual. An effectively sized backer rod and top quality polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant produce a long lasting, versatile seal that manages thermal expansion. Too small a bead and it tears under motion. Too huge and it treatments inadequately. On coastal tasks, I never pair dissimilar metals without a barrier, and I always specify 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 integration with the water-resistive barrier are essential. If you count on sealant alone, water will find its method. That wetness might disappoint 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.
I have nothing versus well-designed shutters. Accordion shutters that are kept and lubed, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even removable panels stored thoroughly can protect homes successfully. They likewise assist in certain cases.
Second homes or seasonal leasings where budget plan is tight in some cases lean on shutters to satisfy the Florida building regulations windows requirement for safeguarded openings. On specialized openings like a lanai that is seldom utilized in summer, a tidy motorized roll-down can be reasonable, specifically if coupling with effect doors and windows elsewhere stresses the spending plan. For house owners who prepare to move within a year, shutters can be a short bridge to compliance before a sale.
 
But shutters bring compromises. They darken your home when released, and they need action at precisely the time you are juggling insurance coverage papers, gas cans, and household logistics. During Hurricane Irma, I saw 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 immediate care waiting space. He endured with stitches. His living room window did not. Shutters also rattle and can vibrate hurricane proof windows Boca Raton under continual winds, in some cases loosening fasteners over time if not maintained.
For long-lasting owners who want to set it and forget it, impact windows offer hurricane evidence windows coverage while preserving daytime and view. The convenience grows valuable once you've experienced one storm season with no prep beyond locking the sash.
South Florida homes battle two fights: hidden load from humidity and sensible load from direct solar heat gain. Impact glass upgrades can assist both if specified intelligently.
Low-E impact glass utilizes microscopically thin metal layers to reflect infrared energy while letting noticeable light through. With the ideal finishing stacks, you can obstruct a large portion of convected heat and UV. UV blockage in laminated units comes mainly from the interlayer itself, which usually filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, lowering fading of fabrics and flooring. Add the low-E, and you curb the solar heat that drives your air conditioning insane midafternoon.
I evaluate glass specifications with three numbers: U-factor, SHGC, and VT. While U-factor matters more up north, it still helps here by minimizing nighttime heat circulation and keeping the interior glass temperature closer to space temperature level, which decreases condensation danger. SHGC drives just how much solar heat enters. VT affects how intense the interior feels. Balance is crucial. Some house owners desire the crisp, clear look of greater VT, even if it suggests accepting a couple of degrees more heat in late afternoon, because their landscaping and roofing system overhangs already do some shading. Others prefer a stronger tint for glare control on waterside lots that show severe light.
In useful terms, going from clear single-pane sliders to contemporary low-E laminated double-glazed systems can lower peak solar gains by 30 to half on the most exposed sides. Couple that with tuned overhangs, light-colored exterior surfaces, and an effectively sized variable-speed HVAC, and you start to develop durability. If the grid goes down and you switch to a generator, a lower cooling load implies a smaller generator and fewer gallons of fuel.
Miami-Dade Notification of Acceptance, or NOA, is the document you ask for. It details the approved configurations, sizes, anchors, and pressures tested. It is inadequate to hear "these are Miami-Dade authorized windows" in a showroom. Verify the NOA matches the exact design and options you are purchasing, including 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 provides FL numbers that reveal code compliance. In the remainder of the state outside the High Velocity Hurricane Zone, Florida building regulations windows can count on Florida Product Approval without Miami-Dade specific NOAs. Lots of leading manufacturers 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 manage energy metrics. They will not inform you impact efficiency, however they show U-factor, SHGC, VT, and air leak. Aim for air leak at or below 0.3 cfm/ft ². Tighter is much better for humidity control, however ensure your home still has balanced ventilation. Sealing the envelope and disregarding 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 differ with size, shape, finish, and gain access to. On straightforward single-family homes, per-opening expenses typically land in between 1,200 and 3,000 dollars for standard sizes. Large multi-panel sliders, customized arches, and coastal-grade finishes raise the numbers quickly.
Where you recover worth:
If you plan to own the property for five years or more, the mathematics frequently tilts in favor of effect windows, particularly when you factor the intangible of peace of mind. If you prepare to sell within a year and need 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 improve seal compression and security. For sliders, robust tandem rollers in stainless real estates glide smoother and last longer on sandy patios. Look at the sill style on moving doors. Weep systems need to 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 fashion. Reflective films can run afoul of neighborhood associations or produce mirror-like glare toward neighboring homes. In seaside ecosystems, highly reflective glass can puzzle birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Local pros understand which finishes 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 supply the very best color retention and chalk resistance. I define them for seaside exposures whenever budgets allow.
Historic districts frequently need profiles that mimic old wood sash sightlines. There are impact-rated windows that fit these requirements, however lead times extend and costs climb. Anticipate extra review by architectural boards, and line up a professional knowledgeable about these submissions.
Condos have another layer of governance. Associations often define a narrow list of authorized items for harmony. They also care about noise control in between units. If your building sits straight on Collins Avenue or deals with a busy beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated alternatives. Deal with building management on staging and lift access. Weekend work windows and restricted parking can add days and dollars.
Large openings, like a 16-foot-wide slider, need unique attention in style pressure, deflection, and operating hardware. Not every system that looks durable in a showroom meets the wind loads on a ninth-floor terrace. Do not count on catalog maximum sizes. Utilize the NOA tables that correspond to your website's zone, favorable and negative pressures, and mullion mixes if any.
The best projects begin with a measured survey and direct exposure analysis. You map each opening, note the substrate, and identify any framing irregularities or settlement fractures. During proposition, the professional shows you the NOA and the Florida Product Approval, notes 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 house 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, local window installation experts shimmed, and anchored per the schedule. The crew checks squareness and diagonals before setting sealant. They photo anchors for the license file, particularly if they will be concealed. After glazing, they water-test with a regulated spray to confirm drain courses and seals. The inspector sees a cool jobsite, clear labels, and paperwork in order.
Six months later on, your windows still close with two fingers, locks bite efficiently, and there is no secret rattle during thunderstorms. You did not have to call for a roller adjustment after the very first week. That is the standard.
Impact ranking does not equivalent breakproof. Laminated glass can split under severe effects, however it should 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. Change the sash or IGU after the event.
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Window movies do not convert non-impact windows into hurricane impact-resistant windows. They can add shatter resistance, however they do not replacement for a checked, anchored system. Your insurance provider and structure department will not count movies as safeguarded openings.
Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient effect windows reduce air leakage. That's fantastic, however it increases the value of a correctly sized a/c with great dehumidification. If your system is oversized, the thermostat pleases quickly and fails to pull enough moisture from the air. Ask your HVAC pro to examine practical heat ratio, air flow, and run time. You desire consistent, longer cycles, not short bursts.
Maintenance is simple however not optional. Tidy weep holes on sliders, wash salt spray from frames, and lubricate hardware every year with a silicone-based item that will not gum up in heat. Small routines extend lifespan.
There are Boca Raton storm windows legitimate factors to blend solutions. A set of hardly ever used garage windows can keep detachable panels to shave budget plan. A deep-set deck with minimal sun direct exposure may do great with accordion shutters if you focus on other upgrades like a brand-new roof deck attachment or a prepared garage door. Shutters can also secure outside kitchen areas or cabana openings where grease and smoke would age expensive hardware prematurely.
If you choose shutters, invest in quality. Stainless fasteners, smooth tracks, and motors with handbook overrides for roll-downs make a difference. Appoint responsibility for implementation and practice as soon as outside of a storm watch. Inventory your hardware. The day you need 32 wing nuts is not the early morning you wish to find you have 29.
Impact windows are not just about enduring the huge one. They reshape daily living. The living room stays cooler and quieter. The air conditioner cycles calmly instead 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 typhoon threatens, your preparation list gets much shorter. You lock the sashes, set storm mode on the alarm, and focus on individuals instead of panels.
For many of my clients, that intangible is the choosing aspect. They understand storms will come. They also understand life in South Florida is too excellent to live inside a fortress that only wakes up in August. Miami-Dade authorized windows offer you both: a clear view of Biscayne Bay on a breezy February morning and peaceful self-confidence when the spaghetti designs point our way in September.
If you are weighing the choice, start with a site-specific evaluation. Match your exposures to create pressures, pick the right laminated glass stack for wind and heat, choose frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and hire a team that appreciates the load path. Done right, energy‑efficient effect windows deliver what shutters can not: defense that never requests a ladder and a much better home every day of the year.