Hurricane-Proof Peace of Mind: Selecting Miami-Dade Approved, Energy‑Efficient Impact Windows Over Shutters

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.

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

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 way next-door neighbors track tropical waves, the pre-storm rush to stock up, and the routine of hauling ladders to install panels. After twenty years defining, setting up, and fixing building envelopes from Key Largo to Palm Beach, I have actually seen what holds up and what does not. When the goal is genuine security with year-round convenience, Miami-Dade approved, energy‑efficient impact windows outperform shutters in manner ins which surpass storm day. They alter how a home feels in August, how quiet your living room stays on a Saturday night, and how positive you are when a storm line spins up faster than predicted.

This is a practical look at why many South Florida homeowners are moving from shutters to cyclone impact-resistant windows, how to read the requirements behind "Miami-Dade approved," what materials matter, and how to get the installation right the very first time.

Miami-Dade County's Item Control Department sets among the most difficult criteria in the country for building parts exposed to windborne debris. Approval is not a marketing sticker. It is earned through specific lab tests that replicate genuine cyclone conditions.

First comes big rocket effect. A 9-pound 2x4 is contended the glass at roughly 34 miles per hour. That mimics roofing system tiles, branches, or pieces of fencing that fly in the eyewall. After the effect, the very same unit faces cyclic pressure loading, thousands of pressurization and depressurization cycles that imitate fast wind gusts over hours. If the glass remains in the frame without letting the envelope breach, it passes. The difference between "satisfies Florida building regulations windows" and "Miami-Dade authorized windows" typically resides in these test limits. Miami-Dade is merely stiffer, particularly in High Speed Typhoon Zone requirements, that include Miami-Dade and Broward.

Wind scores vary by opening size and style pressures, denoted as PSF values. On ocean-facing properties or high-rises, I typically define systems rated at +60/ -80 PSF or higher. Inland or in more secured direct exposures, rankings in the +45/ -60 PSF range can be adequate, but you size and spec based on the site's wind map, building height, and surrounding structures. An expert knows that a corner direct exposure at the 2nd story needs various support than a protected window under a deep porch.

Hurricane shutters vs impact windows is not a one-to-one contrast. Shutters can satisfy code, and they're much better than absolutely nothing. But they ask you to do work at the worst possible time. When a watch turns to a caution and the projection track tightens, the last thing you desire is a ladder, a dead cordless drill, and a missing wing nut.

Impact windows reside in place. You get continuous security, even if a pop-up storm surprises you while you're stuck on United States 1. You also get benefits every day of the year.

Noise control is the most underappreciated benefit. Laminated effect glass is basically a sandwich: two panes of glass bonded by a resilient interlayer, typically PVB interlayer glass or SentryGlas. That interlayer damps sound. On jobs along busy passages like Biscayne Boulevard or near flight paths, I have actually determined interior sound drops in the 5 to 10 decibel variety, sometimes more when paired with insulated glass units.

Security enhances because laminated glass withstands forced entry. An intruder can shatter the outer lite with a hammer, however the interlayer holds the shards. They fulfill a sticky, stubborn membrane rather of a fast course inside. Insurance underwriters understand this, which is why policies frequently provide credits for impact doors and windows. In my tasks, premiums typically drop 10 to 25 percent, depending upon the carrier and the number of openings are protected.

Energy efficiency is the 3rd pillar. Energy-efficient effect windows with contemporary low-E effect glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while protecting noticeable light. That means less air conditioning demand, particularly 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 impact units. Summer afternoon peak load stopped by roughly a lots of cooling, and the home's yearly electricity usage fell in between 12 and 18 percent. Results differ with shading, attic insulation, and HVAC performance, but the instructions is consistent.

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

Most residential cyclone windows utilize 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 include weight and cost. For oceanfront or high openings, you might see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and more powerful than PVB, allowing thinner areas to attain higher design pressures. For noise-sensitive websites, acoustic PVB formulations tweak the polymer to better take in noise in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz variety, where traffic and voices sit.

Tempered glass windows show up typically in discussions because tempered glass is stronger in bending than annealed glass. That holds true, and tempered lites are frequently utilized as the outer or inner ply in an impact system. However 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 susceptible. The effect performance originates from laminated building, not tempering by itself. Lots of systems utilize a tempered outer lite laminated to an annealed inner lite, or both tempered, but constantly bonded through a PVB or ionoplast interlayer.

Low-E coverings 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 noticeable light transmission around 50 percent or greater. Go too low on SHGC and the glass can look gray or green, especially in bigger openings. The sweet spot depends on your exterior orientation and shading. On east and west elevations, I often tighten up SHGC and accept a minor tint to handle morning and afternoon blasts. On north elevations, I lean toward higher visible transmittance for daylighting.

Frames are the other half of the story. Aluminum frames control here due to the fact that they manage big openings and won't swell. Thermal breaks and enhanced glazing gaskets have narrowed the energy space with vinyl. High-quality vinyl impact frames, when strengthened appropriately, can perform well for standard-sized openings and have better insulating values, however I avoid them for very broad sliders or high storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad systems look gorgeous in older Mediterranean Revival homes, however they require careful upkeep and smart flashing. The Florida sun destroys inexpensive vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum finishes rapidly. Search for powder-coated finishes rated for seaside exposure, and demand composed warranty details in salt-air environments.

Window installation can make or break efficiency. A costly system set up like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's tension test. The load path is the crux. Impact forces need 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 want stainless or hot-dipped galvanized anchors embedded into strong material. Hollow cells should be grouted or you require to strike the bond beam. Tapcons in soft, unfilled block are a failure waiting to take place. In wood-framed houses, structural screws must 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 visual. A correctly sized backer rod and top quality polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant create a long lasting, versatile seal that manages thermal expansion. Too small a bead and it tears under motion. Too big and it remedies badly. On coastal jobs, I never ever match dissimilar metals without a barrier, and I constantly 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 rely on sealant alone, water will discover its way in. That moisture might disappoint up as a drip. It may rot a sill plate slowly, then betray itself as a buckling flooring or a musty odor two hurricane seasons later.

I have nothing against well-designed shutters. Accordion shutters that are maintained and lubricated, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even removable panels kept carefully can protect homes effectively. They also help in certain cases.

Second homes or seasonal leasings where budget plan is tight often lean on shutters to satisfy the Florida building code 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 pairing with impact doors and windows in other places stresses the budget. 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 house when deployed, and they require action at precisely the time you are handling insurance coverage documents, gas cans, and family logistics. Throughout Cyclone Irma, I viewed a neighbor try to mount 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 made it through with stitches. His living-room window did not. Shutters also rattle and can vibrate under sustained winds, in some cases loosening fasteners gradually if not maintained.

For long-term owners who want to set it and forget it, effect windows provide hurricane proof windows coverage while preserving daylight and view. The benefit grows important once you have actually experienced one storm season with no prep beyond locking the sash.

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

Low-E effect glass utilizes microscopically thin metallic layers to reflect infrared energy while letting visible light through. With the right coating stacks, you can block a large part of radiant heat and UV. UV clog in laminated systems comes largely from the interlayer itself, which typically filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, minimizing fading of fabrics and flooring. Add the low-E, and you curb the solar heat that drives your air conditioner 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 reducing nighttime heat flow and keeping the interior glass temperature closer to room temperature, which minimizes condensation danger. SHGC drives just how much solar heat enters. VT influences how brilliant the interior feels. Balance is essential. Some property owners want the crisp, clear appearance of greater VT, even if it implies accepting a few degrees more heat in late afternoon, due to the fact that their landscaping and roofing overhangs already do some shading. Others prefer a more powerful tint for glare control on waterfront lots that reflect extreme light.

In useful terms, going from clear single-pane sliders to modern 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 surfaces, and a properly sized variable-speed heating and cooling, and you begin to develop strength. If the grid goes down and you switch to a generator, a lower cooling load implies a smaller sized generator and fewer gallons of fuel.

Miami-Dade Notice of Approval, or NOA, is the file you request. It details the approved configurations, sizes, anchors, and pressures evaluated. It is insufficient to hear "these are Miami-Dade authorized windows" in a display room. Verify the NOA matches the exact model and alternatives you are buying, consisting of the glazing makeup and hardware. If you are in Broward or Miami-Dade, your allowing office will want this paper trail.

Statewide, the Florida Product Approval system offers FL numbers that show code compliance. In the rest of the state outside the High Velocity Cyclone Zone, Florida building regulations windows can count on Florida Product Approval without Miami-Dade specific NOAs. Lots of top makers https://spencertnzk818.theglensecret.com/hurricane-proof-assurance-selecting-miami-dade-approved-energy-efficient-effect-windows-over-shutters-1 bring both. Where budget plans permit, I prefer NOA items even outside the zone since the screening is stiffer.

NFRC labels deal with energy metrics. They won't inform you impact performance, but they reveal U-factor, SHGC, VT, and air leak. Go for air leak at or below 0.3 cfm/ft TWO. Tighter is better for humidity control, but ensure your home still has balanced ventilation. Sealing the envelope and disregarding fresh air is a dish for indoor air quality complaints.

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

Where you recoup worth:

If you prepare to own the home for five years or more, the math frequently tilts in favor of effect windows, especially when you factor the intangible of peace of mind. If you prepare to offer within a year and need to reveal compliance rapidly, shutters might make more short-term sense. Context matters.

I focus on hardware and devices. Multi-point locks on casements and awnings enhance seal compression and security. For sliders, robust tandem rollers in stainless real estates slide smoother and last longer on sandy outdoor patios. Look at the sill design on moving doors. Weep systems must be engineered 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 style. Reflective movies can contravene of neighborhood watch or produce mirror-like glare towards surrounding properties. In seaside communities, extremely reflective glass can puzzle birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Regional pros know which coatings balance efficiency with compliance.

Color stability is a huge deal. Dark bronze or black frames look fantastic on modern-day homes, but in Florida sun low-cost surfaces chalk and fade. AAMA 2605-rated coverings supply the very best color retention and chalk resistance. I specify them for seaside direct exposures whenever spending plans allow.

Historic districts frequently require profiles that mimic old wood sash sightlines. There are impact-rated windows that fit these requirements, but lead times lengthen and costs climb. Expect additional review by architectural boards, and line up a specialist knowledgeable about these submissions.

Condos have another layer of governance. Associations sometimes define a narrow list of approved items for harmony. They likewise care about noise control between units. If your structure sits straight on Collins Avenue or faces a hectic beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated choices. 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 unique attention in design pressure, deflection, and running hardware. Not every system that looks tough in a showroom satisfies the wind loads on a ninth-floor terrace. Do not rely on brochure maximum sizes. Utilize the NOA tables that correspond to your site's zone, positive and negative pressures, and mullion combinations if any.

The finest projects begin with a measured study and exposure analysis. You map each opening, note the substrate, and recognize any framing irregularities or settlement cracks. During proposal, the professional shows you the NOA and the Florida Item Approval, lists anchor types, and explains how each opening will be flashed and sealed. They prepare for stucco or drywall repair work, not pretend no damage will occur.

On install day, they get rid of one opening at a time to keep your home secure. They safeguard floorings, draw back window treatments, and cap sprinklers. Old frames come out with care to preserve interior finishes. 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 permit file, especially if they will be concealed. After glazing, they water-test with a controlled spray to validate drain paths and seals. The inspector sees a cool jobsite, clear labels, and documents in order.

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

Impact score does not equal breakproof. Laminated glass can crack under severe impacts, however it needs to remain in the frame and hold together. After a storm that sends debris into the glass, you might see star fractures or spidering. The window did its job. Change the sash or IGU after the event.

Window films do not transform non-impact windows into hurricane impact-resistant windows. They can include shatter resistance, however they do not alternative to an evaluated, anchored system. Your insurer and structure department will not count films as protected openings.

Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient impact windows lower air leak. That's terrific, but it increases the value of a properly sized HVAC with great dehumidification. If your system is oversized, the thermostat satisfies quickly and fails to pull enough moisture from the air. Ask your a/c pro to examine sensible heat ratio, airflow, and run time. You desire stable, longer cycles, not short bursts.

Maintenance is simple however not optional. Tidy weep holes on sliders, wash salt spray from frames, and lube hardware each year with a silicone-based item that will not gum up in heat. Small routines extend lifespan.

There are genuine reasons to mix services. A set of hardly ever used garage windows can keep detachable panels to shave spending plan. A deep-set deck with very little sun direct exposure might do fine with accordion shutters if you prioritize other upgrades like a brand-new roofing deck attachment or a fortified garage door. Shutters can also safeguard outside kitchens or cabana openings where grease and smoke would age expensive hardware prematurely.

If you select shutters, invest in quality. Stainless fasteners, smooth tracks, and motors with manual bypasses for roll-downs make a distinction. Designate responsibility for release and practice once outside of a storm watch. Inventory your hardware. The day you require 32 wing nuts is not the early morning you wish to find you have 29.

Impact windows are not only about making it through the huge one. They reshape daily living. The living room remains cooler and quieter. The a/c cycles calmly rather 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 hurricane threatens, your preparation list gets much shorter. You lock the sashes, set storm mode on the alarm, and concentrate on people instead of panels.

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

If you are weighing the option, start with a site-specific evaluation. Match your direct exposures to create pressures, select the best laminated glass stack for wind and heat, select frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and employ a crew that respects the load course. Done right, energy‑efficient effect windows deliver what shutters can not: defense that never ever asks for a ladder and a better home every day of the year.