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 next-door neighbors track tropical waves, the pre-storm rush to stockpile, and the routine of transporting ladders to install panels. After twenty years defining, setting up, and repairing building envelopes from Key Largo to Palm Beach, I have actually seen what holds up and what doesn't. When the goal is genuine defense with year-round comfort, Miami-Dade approved, energy‑efficient impact windows exceed shutters in manner ins which surpass storm day. They change how a house feels in August, how quiet your living room stays on a Saturday night, and how confident you are when a storm line spins up much faster than predicted.

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

What "Miami-Dade Approved" actually means

Miami-Dade County's Item Control Department sets among the hardest benchmarks in the country for constructing parts exposed to windborne debris. Approval is not a marketing sticker. It is made through particular lab tests that imitate genuine hurricane conditions.

First comes large missile impact. A 9-pound 2x4 is shot at the glass at approximately 34 miles per hour. That simulates roofing tiles, branches, or pieces of fencing that fly in the eyewall. After the impact, the exact same system deals with cyclic pressure loading, countless pressurization and depressurization cycles that simulate quick wind gusts over hours. If the glass remains in the frame without letting the envelope breach, it passes. The difference in between "satisfies Florida building code windows" and "Miami-Dade approved windows" typically resides in these test thresholds. Miami-Dade is merely stiffer, especially in High Velocity Cyclone Zone requirements, that include Miami-Dade and Broward.

Wind ratings vary by opening size and design pressures, represented as PSF values. On ocean-facing residential or commercial properties or high-rises, I frequently define systems rated at +60/ -80 PSF or higher. Inland or in more safeguarded direct exposures, rankings in the +45/ -60 PSF range can be sufficient, but you size and spec based upon the site's wind map, building height, and surrounding structures. A professional understands that a corner direct exposure at the second story needs different support than a sheltered window under a deep porch.

Why impact windows change the everyday experience, not simply storm season

Hurricane shutters vs impact windows is not a one-to-one comparison. Shutters can satisfy code, and they're much better than absolutely nothing. However 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 want is a ladder, a dead cordless drill, and a missing wing nut.

Impact windows live 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 effect glass is essentially a sandwich: two panes of glass bonded by a durable interlayer, usually PVB interlayer glass or SentryGlas. That interlayer damps noise. On tasks along hectic passages like Biscayne Boulevard or near flight paths, I have actually determined hurricane proof windows Boca Raton interior sound drops in the 5 to 10 decibel range, often more when coupled with insulated glass units.

Security enhances due to the fact that laminated glass withstands required entry. An intruder can shatter the external lite with a hammer, however the interlayer holds the shards. They meet a sticky, stubborn membrane rather of a quick path inside. Insurance coverage underwriters understand this, which is why policies often provide credits for impact doors and windows. In my projects, premiums normally drop 10 to 25 percent, depending upon the carrier and how many openings are protected.

Energy efficiency is the 3rd pillar. Energy-efficient effect windows with contemporary low-E impact glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while maintaining visible light. That implies less air conditioning demand, specifically on west and south exposures where the afternoon sun penalizes interiors. In one Coral Gables retrofit, we replaced 1980s single-pane sliders with laminated low-E effect systems. Summertime afternoon peak load visited roughly a lots of cooling, and the home's annual electrical power use fell between 12 and 18 percent. Results vary with shading, attic insulation, and HVAC efficiency, however the direction is consistent.

Material options that matter: glass, interlayers, and frames

Laminated effect glass is the heart of the system, but not all laminated items are equal.

Most domestic typhoon windows utilize a PVB interlayer glass stack, typically 0.030 to 0.090 inches thick in single or several plies. Thicker interlayers improve effect resistance and sound control, however they include weight and expense. For oceanfront or tall openings, you may see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and more powerful than PVB, allowing thinner areas to achieve higher design pressures. For noise-sensitive websites, acoustic PVB formulations fine-tune the polymer to better absorb noise in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz range, where traffic and voices sit.

Tempered glass windows come up often in discussions because tempered glass is more powerful in bending than annealed glass. That's true, and tempered lites are frequently used as the outer or inner ply in an effect system. But tempered alone is not impact-resistant in the typhoon sense. When it fails, it blows up into small cubes and falls out of the frame, which leaves the opening vulnerable. The impact efficiency originates from laminated building and construction, not tempering by itself. Numerous 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 comfort. A soft-coat low-E tuned for South Florida usually targets a solar heat gain coefficient in the 0.25 to 0.35 variety while keeping visible light transmission around half or higher. Go too low 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 frequently tighten SHGC and accept a minor tint to manage early morning and afternoon blasts. On north elevations, I lean toward greater visible transmittance for daylighting.

Frames are the other half of the story. Aluminum frames control here since they deal with big openings and won't swell. Thermal breaks and improved glazing gaskets have actually narrowed the energy space with vinyl. Premium vinyl effect frames, when reinforced correctly, can carry out well for standard-sized openings and have much better insulating worths, but I avoid them for extremely wide sliders or high storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad units look lovely in older Mediterranean Revival homes, however they demand cautious upkeep and wise flashing. The Florida sun damages inexpensive vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum finishes quickly. Look for powder-coated surfaces ranked for seaside direct exposure, and request composed guarantee details in salt-air environments.

The concealed hero: setup that respects the load path

Window installation can make or break performance. An expensive unit installed like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's stress test. The load course is the crux. Effect forces need to travel from the glass through the frame, to the anchors, into the substrate, and then into the structure's framing or masonry.

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

The sealant joint is not just visual. An appropriately sized backer rod and premium polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant produce a durable, flexible seal that handles thermal expansion. Too small a bead and it tears under movement. Too huge and it treatments badly. On seaside tasks, I never ever pair different metals without a barrier, and I always specify 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 integration with the water-resistive barrier are important. If you rely on sealant alone, water will find its way in. That wetness may disappoint up as a drip. It may rot a sill plate slowly, then betray itself as a buckling flooring or a musty odor 2 typhoon seasons later.

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

I have nothing versus well-designed shutters. Accordion shutters that are preserved and lubricated, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even detachable panels kept carefully can protect homes efficiently. They likewise assist in particular cases.

Second homes or seasonal rentals where spending plan is tight often lean on shutters to satisfy the Florida building regulations windows requirement for secured openings. On specialized openings like a lanai that is hardly ever used in summertime, a clean motorized roll-down can be reasonable, particularly if coupling with impact windows and doors in other places stresses the budget plan. For homeowners who plan to move within a year, shutters can be a short bridge to compliance before a sale.

But shutters bring compromises. They darken the house when released, and they require action at specifically the time you are managing insurance coverage papers, gas cans, and household logistics. During Hurricane Irma, I saw a next-door neighbor attempt to install steel panels hours before landfall. The ladder impact windows prices sank in saturated soil, a panel slipped, and we invested the next hour in the immediate care waiting room. He endured with stitches. His living-room window did not. Shutters also rattle and can vibrate under sustained winds, in some cases loosening up fasteners over time if not maintained.

For long-lasting owners who want to set it and forget it, effect windows provide cyclone evidence windows coverage while preserving daytime and view. The convenience grows valuable once you have actually experienced one storm season with absolutely no prep beyond locking the sash.

The energy story: how glass requirements translate to convenience and bills

South Florida homes fight 2 battles: latent 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 show infrared energy while letting visible light through. With the ideal finishing stacks, you can block a large part of convected heat and UV. UV obstruction in laminated systems comes largely from the interlayer itself, which usually filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, minimizing fading of materials and flooring. Include the low-E, and you suppress the solar heat that drives your air conditioner insane midafternoon.

I examine glass specs with 3 numbers: U-factor, SHGC, and VT. While U-factor matters more up north, it still helps here by minimizing nighttime heat flow and keeping the interior glass temperature level closer to space temperature level, which minimizes condensation threat. SHGC drives just how much solar heat goes into. VT affects how bright the interior feels. Balance is key. Some property owners desire the crisp, clear look of higher VT, even if it means accepting a couple of degrees more heat in late afternoon, due to the fact that their landscaping and roofing system overhangs already do some shading. Others prefer a more powerful tint for glare control on waterfront lots that reflect extreme light.

In practical terms, going from clear single-pane sliders to modern-day low-E laminated double-glazed units can lower peak solar gains by 30 to 50 percent on the most exposed sides. Couple that with tuned overhangs, light-colored outside finishes, and an appropriately sized variable-speed heating and cooling, and you start to develop resilience. If the grid decreases and you switch to a generator, a lower cooling load means a smaller generator and fewer gallons of fuel.

Reading labels and approvals without getting lost in alphabet soup

Miami-Dade Notification of Approval, or NOA, is the document you ask for. It details the authorized configurations, sizes, anchors, and pressures tested. It is insufficient to hear "these are Miami-Dade authorized windows" in a display room. Validate the NOA matches the specific model and alternatives you are buying, including the glazing makeup and hardware. If you are in Broward or Miami-Dade, your permitting office will desire this paper trail.

Statewide, the Florida Item Approval system supplies FL numbers that reveal code compliance. In the remainder of the state outside the High Speed Hurricane Zone, Florida building code windows can count on Florida Product Approval without Miami-Dade particular NOAs. Numerous leading makers carry both. Where budgets permit, I prefer NOA products even outside the zone because the screening is stiffer.

NFRC labels handle energy metrics. They will not tell you effect performance, but they show U-factor, SHGC, VT, and air leakage. Aim for air leak at or listed below 0.3 cfm/ft ². Tighter is better for humidity control, however make sure your home still has actually balanced 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. Installed costs vary with size, shape, surface, and access. On uncomplicated single-family homes, per-opening expenses often land between 1,200 and 3,000 dollars for basic sizes. Big multi-panel sliders, customized arches, and coastal-grade surfaces raise the numbers quickly.

Where you recover value:

  • Insurance credits build up, often 10 to 25 percent off premiums when all openings are protected.
  • Energy cost savings, typically 8 to 20 percent on annual cooling costs in older homes after a complete window upgrade coupled with sealing and attic improvements.
  • Resale appeal, especially in markets where purchasers expect effect doors and windows as a baseline. A home with accordion shutters contends, however a home with storm effect windows shows much better, feels quieter, and typically assesses stronger.

If you plan to own the home for five years or more, the math frequently tilts in favor of impact windows, particularly when you factor the intangible of assurance. If you prepare to sell within a year and need to show compliance quickly, shutters might make more short-term sense. Context matters.

Details that separate great systems from fantastic ones

I focus on hardware and devices. Multi-point locks on sashes and awnings enhance seal compression and security. For sliders, robust tandem rollers in stainless housings move smoother and last longer on sandy local hurricane proof windows Boca Raton patios. Take a look at the sill style on sliding doors. Weep systems must be crafted to drain heavy rains without letting wind-driven water blow back in. Ask to see a cutaway sample in the showroom.

Tint colors and reflectivity are more than fashion. Reflective films can run afoul of neighborhood watch or produce mirror-like glare towards neighboring homes. In coastal environments, extremely reflective glass can confuse birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Local pros understand which finishings balance performance with compliance.

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

Special cases: historic homes, apartments, and difficult openings

Historic districts often need profiles that imitate old wood sash sightlines. There are impact-rated windows that fit these requirements, however lead times extend and costs climb. Anticipate extra 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 approved products for uniformity. They also appreciate sound control in between systems. If your structure sits straight on Collins Opportunity or faces a hectic beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated options. Deal with structure 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 running hardware. Not every system that looks durable in a display room satisfies the wind loads on a ninth-floor terrace. Do not depend on brochure maximum sizes. Utilize the NOA tables that correspond to your site's zone, positive and negative pressures, and mullion mixes if any.

What a tidy project appears like from survey to last inspection

The finest 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. Throughout proposition, the specialist reveals you the NOA and the Florida Product Approval, lists anchor types, and explains how each opening will be flashed and sealed. They plan for stucco or drywall repairs, not pretend no damage will occur.

On set up day, they get rid of one opening at a time to keep your house protected. They protect floorings, pull back window treatments, and cap sprinklers. Old frames bring out care to protect interior surfaces. New units get dry-fit, shimmed, and anchored per the schedule. The crew checks squareness and diagonals before setting sealant. They photograph anchors for the authorization file, specifically if they will be hidden. After glazing, they water-test with a regulated spray to confirm drain paths and seals. The inspector sees a neat jobsite, clear labels, and paperwork in order.

Six months later, your windows still close with two fingers, locks bite smoothly, and there is no secret rattle throughout thunderstorms. You did not have to call for a roller adjustment after the first week. That is the standard.

Frequently misinterpreted points that cost homeowners later

Impact ranking does not equivalent breakproof. Laminated glass can crack under serious effects, but it should remain in the frame and hold together. After a storm that sends out debris into the glass, you may see star cracks or spidering. The window did its job. Replace the sash or IGU after the event.

Window movies do not transform non-impact windows into hurricane impact-resistant windows. They can include shatter resistance, however they do not replacement for an evaluated, anchored system. Your insurance provider and building department will not count movies as secured openings.

Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient impact windows minimize air leak. That's great, but it increases the significance of an appropriately sized a/c with excellent dehumidification. If your system is large, the thermostat pleases rapidly and fails to pull enough moisture from the air. Ask your heating and cooling pro to examine reasonable heat ratio, airflow, and run time. You desire stable, longer cycles, not short bursts.

Maintenance is uncomplicated however not optional. Tidy weep holes on sliders, wash salt spray from frames, and oil hardware yearly with a silicone-based item that will not gum up in heat. Small practices extend lifespan.

When shutters still belong in the conversation

There are genuine factors to blend options. A set of hardly ever used garage windows can keep detachable panels to shave budget. A deep-set porch with minimal sun exposure may do great with accordion shutters if you focus on other upgrades like a new roof deck accessory or a fortified garage door. Shutters can likewise safeguard outside kitchens or cabana openings where grease and smoke would age elegant hardware prematurely.

If you choose shutters, buy quality. Stainless fasteners, smooth tracks, and motors with handbook bypasses for roll-downs make a difference. Appoint obligation for deployment and practice as soon as beyond a storm watch. Inventory your hardware. The day you need 32 wing nuts is not the morning you want to discover you have 29.

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

Impact windows are not only about surviving the big one. They reshape daily living. The living-room stays cooler and quieter. The a/c cycles calmly instead 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 focus on individuals rather than panels.

For a lot of my customers, that intangible is the choosing aspect. They understand storms will come. They likewise understand life in South Florida is too excellent to live inside a fortress that just wakes up in August. Miami-Dade approved windows give you both: a clear view of Biscayne Bay on a breezy February early morning and quiet self-confidence when the spaghetti designs point our method September.

If you are weighing the option, start with a site-specific assessment. Match your direct exposures to create pressures, pick the ideal laminated glass stack for wind and heat, choose frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and hire a crew that appreciates the load course. Done right, energy‑efficient impact windows provide what shutters can not: security 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.