Hurricane-Proof Peace of Mind: Selecting 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 hauling ladders to mount panels. After 20 years specifying, installing, and troubleshooting structure envelopes from Secret Largo to Palm Beach, I've seen what holds up and what does not. When the objective is real defense with year-round convenience, Miami-Dade approved, energy‑efficient impact windows exceed shutters in ways that go beyond storm day. They change how a house feels in August, how quiet your living room remains on a Saturday night, and how positive you are when a storm line spins up faster than predicted.

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

What "Miami-Dade Approved" really means

Miami-Dade County's Product Control Department sets one of the most difficult standards in the country for developing components exposed to windborne particles. Approval is not a marketing sticker label. It is earned through specific lab tests that mimic genuine typhoon conditions.

First comes big missile effect. A 9-pound 2x4 is shot at the glass at roughly 34 miles per hour. That imitates roofing system tiles, branches, or pieces of fencing that fly in the eyewall. After the effect, the same system deals with cyclic pressure loading, thousands of pressurization and depressurization cycles that mimic fast wind gusts over hours. If the glass remains in the frame without letting the envelope breach, it passes. The difference between "satisfies Florida building regulations windows" and "Miami-Dade approved windows" typically lives in these test thresholds. Miami-Dade is simply stiffer, particularly in High Velocity Cyclone Zone requirements, that include Miami-Dade and Broward.

Wind rankings vary by opening size and style pressures, represented as PSF worths. On ocean-facing homes or high-rises, I frequently specify systems ranked at +60/ -80 PSF or higher. Inland or in more safeguarded exposures, rankings in the +45/ -60 PSF variety can suffice, but you size and specification based upon the website's wind map, building height, and surrounding structures. An expert understands that a corner exposure at the 2nd story needs different reinforcement than a protected window under a deep porch.

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

Hurricane shutters vs impact windows is not a one-to-one comparison. Shutters can meet code, and they're better than absolutely nothing. But they ask you to do operate at the worst possible time. When a watch turns to a warning 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 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 advantage. Laminated effect glass is basically a sandwich: two panes of glass bonded by a resilient 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 determined interior sound drops in the 5 to 10 decibel variety, in some cases more when coupled with insulated glass units.

Security improves because laminated glass resists required entry. An intruder can shatter the outer lite with a hammer, but the interlayer holds the fragments. They meet a sticky, persistent membrane instead of a fast course inside. Insurance underwriters know this, which is why policies typically provide credits for effect doors and windows. In my jobs, premiums normally drop 10 to 25 percent, depending upon the provider and the number of 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 protecting noticeable light. That implies less air conditioning demand, specifically on west and south exposures where the afternoon sun punishes interiors. In one Coral Gables retrofit, we changed 1980s single-pane sliders with laminated low-E effect units. Summer season afternoon peak load come by roughly a ton of cooling, and the home's annual electrical power usage fell between 12 and 18 percent. Outcomes differ with shading, attic insulation, and HVAC efficiency, but the instructions is consistent.

Material options that matter: glass, interlayers, and frames

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

Most domestic cyclone windows use a PVB interlayer glass stack, typically 0.030 to 0.090 inches thick in single or numerous plies. Thicker interlayers improve effect resistance and sound control, but they add weight and expense. For oceanfront or high openings, you might see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and more powerful than PVB, permitting thinner sections to accomplish greater style pressures. For noise-sensitive sites, acoustic PVB formulas 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 show up frequently in conversations due to the fact that tempered glass is more powerful in flexing than annealed glass. That holds true, and tempered lites are typically utilized as the external or inner ply in an effect unit. However tempered alone is not impact-resistant in the cyclone sense. When it fails, it explodes into small cubes and falls out of the frame, which leaves the opening susceptible. The effect efficiency originates from laminated building, not tempering by itself. Many systems utilize a tempered external lite laminated to an annealed inner lite, or both tempered, however constantly bonded through a PVB or ionoplast interlayer.

Low-E finishings matter for comfort. 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 noticeable light transmission around 50 percent or greater. Go too low on SHGC and https://griffinmtbs228.trexgame.net/hurricane-proof-comfort-choosing-miami-dade-approved-energy-efficient-impact-windows-over-shutters the glass can look gray or green, particularly in bigger openings. The sweet spot depends on your façade orientation and shading. On east and west elevations, I frequently tighten up SHGC and accept a minor tint to handle early morning and afternoon blasts. On north elevations, I favor higher noticeable transmittance for daylighting.

Frames are the other half of the story. Aluminum frames control here since they manage big openings and will not swell. Thermal breaks and improved glazing gaskets have narrowed the energy space with vinyl. High-quality vinyl effect frames, when strengthened effectively, can carry out well for standard-sized openings and have better insulating worths, however I avoid them for extremely wide sliders or high storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad systems look stunning in older Mediterranean Revival homes, but they demand mindful upkeep and clever flashing. The Florida sun destroys cheap vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum finishes quickly. Look for powder-coated finishes rated for coastal exposure, and demand composed service warranty information in salt-air environments.

The surprise hero: setup that respects the load path

Window installation can make or break performance. An expensive unit set up like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's tension test. The load course is the essence. Effect 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 and construction, you desire stainless or hot-dipped galvanized anchors embedded into strong product. Hollow cells must be grouted or you require to strike the bond beam. Tapcons in soft, unfilled block are a failure waiting to happen. In wood-framed homes, structural screws should bite into solid trimmers, not just sheathing. Shimming and plumb positioning matter so the locks engage cleanly and the weatherstripping compresses evenly.

The sealant joint is not just visual. A properly sized backer rod and high-quality polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant develop a resilient, versatile seal that manages thermal expansion. Too small a bead and it tears under movement. Too huge and it remedies poorly. On coastal tasks, I never ever match dissimilar metals without a barrier, and I always 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 combination with the water-resistive barrier are vital. If you rely on sealant alone, water will find its method. That moisture may not show up as a drip. It might rot a sill plate slowly, then betray itself as a buckling floor or a moldy odor 2 cyclone seasons later.

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

I have absolutely nothing against well-designed shutters. Accordion shutters that are kept and lubed, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even removable panels stored carefully can protect homes effectively. They also assist in particular cases.

Second homes or seasonal rentals where budget is tight sometimes lean on shutters to meet the Florida building regulations windows requirement for protected openings. On specialized openings like a lanai that is seldom utilized in summertime, a clean motorized roll-down can be reasonable, especially if coupling with impact doors and windows somewhere else worries the spending 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 your home when deployed, and they require action at precisely the time you are managing insurance coverage papers, gas cans, and family logistics. Throughout Cyclone Irma, I watched a next-door neighbor attempt to install steel panels hours before landfall. The ladder sank in saturated soil, a panel slipped, and we spent the next hour in the urgent care waiting room. He survived with stitches. His living-room window did not. Shutters likewise rattle and can vibrate under continual winds, in some cases loosening fasteners in time if not maintained.

For long-term owners who want to set it and forget it, impact windows provide typhoon evidence windows protection while maintaining daytime and view. The benefit grows important once you've experienced one storm season with no prep beyond locking the sash.

The energy story: how glass requirements equate to comfort and bills

South Florida homes battle 2 battles: hidden load from humidity and reasonable load from direct solar heat gain. Impact glass upgrades can assist both if specified intelligently.

Low-E effect glass uses microscopically thin metal layers to reflect infrared energy while letting visible light through. With the right finish stacks, you can block a large part of convected heat and UV. UV clog in laminated systems comes mainly from the interlayer itself, which typically filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, decreasing fading of fabrics and flooring. Add the low-E, and you suppress the solar heat that drives your air conditioner insane midafternoon.

I examine glass specs with three numbers: U-factor, SHGC, and VT. While U-factor matters more up north, it still assists here by lowering nighttime heat circulation 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 brilliant the interior feels. Balance is essential. Some house owners desire the crisp, clear appearance of greater VT, even if it suggests accepting a few degrees more heat in late afternoon, due to the fact that their landscaping and roof overhangs already do some shading. Others choose a stronger tint for glare control on waterside lots that reflect extreme light.

In practical terms, going from clear single-pane sliders to modern 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 finishes, and a correctly sized variable-speed a/c, and you begin to construct durability. If the grid decreases and you switch to a generator, a lower cooling load suggests a smaller generator and fewer gallons of fuel.

Reading labels and approvals without getting lost in alphabet soup

Miami-Dade Notification of Acceptance, or NOA, is the file you request. It details the authorized setups, sizes, anchors, and pressures checked. It is not enough to hear "these are Miami-Dade authorized windows" in a showroom. Confirm the NOA matches the exact design and options you are purchasing, consisting of the glazing makeup and hardware. If you are in Broward or Miami-Dade, your allowing office will desire this paper trail.

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

NFRC labels handle energy metrics. They won't tell you effect performance, but they show U-factor, SHGC, VT, and air leak. Go for air leakage at or below 0.3 cfm/ft ². Tighter is much better for humidity control, but ensure your home still has actually balanced ventilation. Sealing the envelope and ignoring fresh air is a recipe for indoor air quality complaints.

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

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

Where you recover value:

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 expenses in older homes after a complete window upgrade paired with sealing and attic improvements. Resale appeal, particularly in markets where buyers anticipate impact doors and windows as a standard. A home with accordion shutters contends, but a home with storm effect windows reveals much better, feels quieter, and typically assesses stronger.

If you plan to own the property for 5 years or more, the mathematics often tilts in favor of effect windows, particularly when you factor the intangible of peace of mind. If you prepare to offer within a year and require to reveal compliance quickly, shutters may make more short-term sense. Context matters.

Details that separate good systems from fantastic ones

I take notice of hardware and accessories. Multi-point locks on casements and awnings improve seal compression and security. For sliders, robust tandem rollers in stainless real estates move smoother and last longer on sandy patio areas. Take a look at the sill style on moving doors. Weep systems should be engineered to drain heavy rainfall 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 movies can contravene of neighborhood associations or produce mirror-like glare toward surrounding homes. In seaside environments, extremely reflective glass can puzzle birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Regional pros know which coatings balance performance with compliance.

Color stability is a huge deal. Dark bronze or black frames look fantastic on modern-day homes, however in Florida sun inexpensive finishes chalk and fade. AAMA 2605-rated coverings offer the best color retention and chalk resistance. I specify them for seaside exposures whenever budgets allow.

Special cases: historical homes, condos, and difficult openings

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

Condos have another layer of governance. Associations sometimes specify a narrow list of approved items for uniformity. They also appreciate sound control between systems. If your building sits straight on Collins Opportunity or deals with a busy beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated options. Work with building management on staging and lift gain access to. Weekend work windows and limited parking can include days and dollars.

Large openings, like a 16-foot-wide slider, require unique attention in style pressure, deflection, and running hardware. Not every system that looks tough in a display room satisfies the wind loads on a ninth-floor veranda. Do not count on catalog maximum sizes. Utilize the NOA tables that correspond to your website's zone, positive and negative pressures, and mullion combinations if any.

What a tidy project looks like from study to last inspection

The best tasks start with a measured study and direct exposure analysis. You map each opening, note the substrate, and identify any framing irregularities or settlement fractures. Throughout proposal, the contractor reveals you the NOA and the Florida Item 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 install day, they get rid of one opening at a time to keep the house safe and secure. They safeguard floorings, draw back window treatments, and cap sprinklers. Old frames come out with care to preserve interior surfaces. New systems get dry-fit, shimmed, and anchored per the schedule. The team checks squareness and diagonals before setting sealant. They photo anchors for the license file, especially if they will be concealed. After glazing, they water-test with a controlled spray to confirm drain courses and seals. The inspector sees a cool jobsite, clear labels, and paperwork in order.

Six months later, your windows still close with 2 fingers, locks bite efficiently, 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 house owners later

Impact rating does not equivalent breakproof. Laminated glass can break under serious effects, but it needs to remain in the frame and hold together. After a storm that sends out particles into the glass, you might see star cracks or spidering. The window did its job. Change the sash or IGU after the event.

Window films do not convert non-impact windows into typhoon impact-resistant windows. They can include shatter resistance, however they do not alternative to an evaluated, anchored system. Your insurance company and building department will not count films as secured openings.

Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient impact windows minimize air leak. That's great, however it increases the significance of a correctly sized heating and cooling with good dehumidification. If your system is extra-large, the thermostat satisfies rapidly and stops working to pull enough moisture from the air. Ask your heating and cooling pro to inspect practical heat ratio, airflow, and run time. You want stable, longer cycles, not short bursts.

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

When shutters still belong in the conversation

There are legitimate reasons to blend solutions. A pair of hardly ever utilized garage windows can keep removable panels to shave budget. A deep-set deck with very little sun exposure might do fine with accordion shutters if you focus on other upgrades like a new roof deck attachment 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 manual bypasses for roll-downs make a distinction. Assign responsibility for release and practice when outside of a storm watch. Inventory your hardware. The day you need 32 wing nuts is not the early morning you wish to discover you have 29.

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

Impact windows are not only about enduring the big one. They improve daily living. The living-room remains cooler and quieter. The 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 people rather than panels.

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

If you are weighing the option, begin with a site-specific assessment. Match your direct exposures to create pressures, select the ideal laminated glass stack for wind and heat, choose frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and work with a team that respects the load path. Done right, energy‑efficient effect windows provide what shutters can not: defense that never ever requests for a ladder and a better home every day of the year.

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Pub: 30 Sep 2025 16:53 UTC

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