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

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/
STS Impact Windows and Doors has Google Business Profile https://maps.app.goo.gl/3G8xjFMpsJzufTpC6
STS Impact Windows and Doors has Facebook profile https://web.facebook.com/STSimpactwondowsanddoors/
STS Impact Windows and Doors has Instagram profile https://www.instagram.com/sts.impact.windows/
STS Impact Windows and Doors has logo https://stswindows.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/website-sts-doors-roofing-logo.png
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 way neighbors track tropical waves, the pre-storm rush to stockpile, and the ritual of hauling ladders to mount panels. After twenty years specifying, setting up, and repairing building envelopes from Secret Largo to Palm Beach, I have actually seen what holds up and what does not. When the goal is real security with year-round convenience, Miami-Dade authorized, energy‑efficient effect windows outshine shutters in ways that surpass storm day. They change how a home feels in August, how peaceful 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 many South Florida homeowners are moving from shutters to hurricane impact-resistant windows, how to read the requirements behind "Miami-Dade approved," what materials matter, and how to get the setup right the first time.

What "Miami-Dade Approved" actually means

Miami-Dade County's Item Control Department sets one of the toughest benchmarks in the country for constructing components exposed to windborne debris. Approval is not a marketing sticker. It is made through particular laboratory tests that replicate genuine cyclone conditions.

First comes large rocket effect. A 9-pound 2x4 is shot at the glass at approximately 34 miles per hour. That mimics roofing system tiles, branches, or pieces of fencing that fly in the eyewall. After the impact, the very same unit faces 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 distinction between "meets 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, which include Miami-Dade and Broward.

Wind rankings vary by opening size and design pressures, denoted as PSF worths. On ocean-facing properties or high-rises, I often specify systems rated at +60/ -80 PSF or greater. Inland or in more protected exposures, rankings in the +45/ -60 PSF variety can be enough, but you size and spec based upon the website's wind map, constructing height, and surrounding structures. An expert understands that a corner direct exposure at the 2nd story needs various reinforcement than a protected window under a deep porch.

Why impact windows alter the daily experience, not just storm season

Hurricane shutters vs effect windows is not a one-to-one comparison. Shutters can meet code, and they're better than 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 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 US 1. You likewise get advantages every day of the year.

Noise control is the most underappreciated benefit. Laminated impact glass is basically a sandwich: 2 panes of glass bonded by a durable interlayer, normally PVB interlayer glass or SentryGlas. That interlayer damps sound. On tasks along busy corridors like Biscayne Boulevard or near flight courses, I have actually measured interior noise drops in the 5 to 10 decibel range, sometimes more when coupled with insulated glass units.

Security improves because laminated glass withstands forced entry. A robber can shatter the outer lite with a hammer, but the interlayer holds the shards. They fulfill a sticky, persistent membrane rather of a fast path inside. Insurance coverage underwriters understand this, which is why policies frequently offer credits for effect doors and windows. In my tasks, premiums normally drop 10 to 25 percent, depending on the provider and how many openings are protected.

Energy performance is the 3rd pillar. Energy-efficient effect windows with contemporary low-E effect glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while maintaining visible light. That implies less a/c need, especially 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 come by approximately a ton of cooling, and the home's yearly electrical power usage fell in between 12 and 18 percent. Outcomes vary with shading, attic insulation, and a/c performance, but the instructions is consistent.

Material choices that matter: glass, interlayers, and frames

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

Most residential hurricane windows use a PVB interlayer glass stack, typically 0.030 to 0.090 inches thick in single or multiple plies. Thicker interlayers improve effect resistance and sound control, but they include weight and cost. For oceanfront or tall openings, you may see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and stronger than PVB, enabling thinner sections to attain greater design pressures. For noise-sensitive websites, acoustic PVB formulas fine-tune the polymer to much better absorb noise in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz variety, where traffic and voices sit.

Tempered glass windows show up frequently in conversations due to the fact that tempered glass is stronger in flexing than annealed glass. That's true, and tempered lites are commonly used as the outer or inner ply in an effect unit. But tempered alone is not impact-resistant in the hurricane sense. When it fails, it blows up into little cubes and falls out of the frame, which leaves the opening vulnerable. The effect efficiency comes from laminated building and construction, not tempering by itself. Lots of systems use a tempered external lite laminated to an annealed inner lite, or both tempered, but constantly bonded through a PVB or ionoplast interlayer.

Low-E finishings matter for convenience. A soft-coat low-E tuned for South Florida normally targets a solar heat gain coefficient in the 0.25 to 0.35 range while keeping noticeable light transmission around half or greater. Go too short on SHGC and the glass can look gray or green, especially in bigger openings. The sweet area depends on your exterior orientation and shading. On east and west elevations, I typically tighten SHGC and accept a slight 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 due to the fact that they manage big openings and won't swell. Thermal breaks and improved glazing gaskets have actually narrowed the energy space with vinyl. High-quality vinyl impact frames, when strengthened effectively, can perform well for standard-sized openings and have much better insulating values, however I prevent them for extremely large sliders or high storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad systems look gorgeous in older Mediterranean Revival homes, however they demand cautious upkeep and wise flashing. The Florida sun destroys cheap vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum surfaces rapidly. Search for powder-coated finishes rated for seaside exposure, and demand written guarantee information in salt-air environments.

The surprise hero: setup that appreciates the load path

Window installation can make or break performance. A costly system installed like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's stress test. The load path is the essence. Impact forces need to travel from the glass through the frame, to the anchors, into the substrate, and then into the structure's framing or masonry.

In concrete block building, you desire stainless or hot-dipped galvanized anchors embedded into solid product. Hollow cells must be grouted or you need to hit 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 simply sheathing. Shimming and plumb alignment matter so the locks engage cleanly and the weatherstripping compresses evenly.

The sealant joint is not simply aesthetic. An effectively sized backer rod and high-quality polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant create a resilient, flexible seal that handles thermal growth. Too little a bead and it tears under motion. Too big and it remedies improperly. On seaside tasks, I never pair dissimilar metals without a barrier, and I always define 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 important. If you depend on sealant alone, water will find its method. That wetness may disappoint up as a drip. It may rot a sill plate gradually, then betray itself as a buckling floor or a musty smell two typhoon seasons later.

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

I have nothing against properly designed shutters. Accordion shutters that are preserved and lubricated, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even removable panels stored thoroughly can safeguard homes effectively. They also assist in particular cases.

Second homes or seasonal leasings where budget plan is ASTM E1886 E1996 compliance tight often lean on shutters to satisfy the Florida building regulations windows requirement for protected openings. On specialized openings like a lanai that is seldom used in summer, a clean motorized roll-down can be affordable, specifically if pairing with impact doors and windows elsewhere worries the budget. For property owners who prepare to move within a year, shutters can be a brief bridge to compliance before a sale.

But shutters bring compromises. They darken the house when deployed, and they need action at specifically the time you are managing insurance coverage papers, gas cans, and household 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 also rattle and can vibrate under continual winds, often loosening up fasteners over time if not maintained.

For long-lasting owners who want to set it and forget it, impact windows give cyclone proof windows coverage while maintaining daylight and view. The benefit grows valuable once you have actually experienced one storm season with zero preparation beyond locking the sash.

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

South Florida homes battle two battles: latent load from humidity and sensible load from direct solar heat gain. Effect glass upgrades can help both if specified intelligently.

Low-E impact glass utilizes microscopically thin metal layers to reflect infrared energy while letting noticeable light through. With the right covering stacks, you can block a big portion of convected heat and UV. UV blockage in laminated units comes largely from the interlayer itself, which typically filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, lowering fading of fabrics and floor covering. Add the low-E, and you suppress the solar heat that drives your AC crazy midafternoon.

I assess glass specifications with 3 numbers: U-factor, SHGC, and VT. While U-factor matters more up north, it still helps here by decreasing nighttime heat flow and keeping the interior glass temperature level closer to space temperature level, which lowers condensation risk. SHGC drives how much solar heat enters. VT affects how intense the interior feels. Balance is essential. Some property owners want the crisp, clear look of higher VT, even if it indicates accepting a few degrees more heat in late afternoon, because their landscaping and roof overhangs currently do some shading. Others choose a stronger tint for glare control on waterside lots that show severe light.

In practical terms, going from clear single-pane sliders to contemporary low-E laminated double-glazed units can decrease peak solar gains by 30 to half on the most exposed sides. Couple that with tuned overhangs, light-colored exterior finishes, and a properly sized variable-speed a/c, and you begin to build durability. If the grid decreases and you change to a generator, a lower cooling load means a smaller sized generator and less gallons of fuel.

Reading labels and approvals without getting lost in alphabet soup

Miami-Dade Notice of Approval, or NOA, is the file you request for. It details the authorized configurations, sizes, anchors, and pressures checked. It is not enough to hear "these are Miami-Dade authorized windows" in a display room. Verify the NOA matches the precise design and options you are buying, consisting of the glazing makeup and hardware. If you remain in Broward or Miami-Dade, your permitting office will desire this paper trail.

Statewide, the Florida Product Approval system offers FL numbers that reveal code compliance. In the remainder of the state outside the High Velocity Hurricane Zone, Florida building code windows can rely on Florida Product Approval without Miami-Dade specific NOAs. Many leading producers bring both. Where budgets enable, I choose NOA items even outside the zone due to the fact that the screening is stiffer.

NFRC labels manage energy metrics. They won't tell you impact performance, however they show U-factor, SHGC, VT, and air leak. Aim for air leak at or below 0.3 cfm/ft TWO. Tighter is much better for humidity control, but ensure your home still has actually stabilized ventilation. Sealing the envelope and disregarding fresh air is a dish for indoor air quality complaints.

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

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

Where you recoup value:

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

If you prepare to own the property for five years or more, the math often tilts in favor of effect windows, particularly when you factor the intangible of assurance. If you plan 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 terrific 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 real estates slide smoother and last longer on sandy patios. Look at the sill design on moving doors. Weep systems need to be engineered to drain pipes 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 films can contravene of neighborhood associations or produce mirror-like glare toward surrounding homes. In seaside ecosystems, extremely reflective glass can confuse birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Local pros understand which finishes balance performance with compliance.

Color stability is a big offer. Dark bronze or black frames look fantastic on modern homes, however in Florida sun low-cost surfaces chalk and fade. AAMA 2605-rated finishes supply the best color retention and chalk resistance. I specify them for coastal exposures whenever budget plans allow.

Special cases: historical homes, condominiums, and challenging openings

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

Condos have another layer of governance. Associations in some cases define a narrow list of authorized items for uniformity. They likewise appreciate noise control between units. If your structure sits straight on Collins Avenue or deals with a hectic beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated options. Work with structure management on staging and lift access. Weekend work windows and limited parking can add days and dollars.

Large openings, like a 16-foot-wide slider, need unique attention in design pressure, deflection, and operating hardware. Not every unit that looks sturdy in a showroom fulfills the wind loads on a ninth-floor balcony. Do not rely on brochure optimum sizes. Utilize the NOA tables that represent your site's zone, favorable and unfavorable pressures, and mullion combinations if any.

What a clean task looks like from study to final inspection

The finest tasks start with a measured survey and 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 explains 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 eliminate one opening at a time to keep your home safe and secure. They secure floors, pull back window treatments, and cap sprinklers. Old frames bring out care to maintain interior finishes. New units get dry-fit, shimmed, and anchored per the schedule. The crew checks squareness and diagonals before setting sealant. They picture anchors for the permit file, especially if they will be concealed. After glazing, they water-test with a regulated spray to validate 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 smoothly, and there is no secret rattle during thunderstorms. You did not need to call for a roller modification after the first week. That is the standard.

Frequently misinterpreted points that cost property owners later

Impact ranking does not equal breakproof. Laminated glass can crack under extreme impacts, however it needs to 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 job. Replace the sash or IGU after the event.

Window movies do not convert non-impact windows into cyclone impact-resistant windows. They can add shatter resistance, however they do not replacement for a tested, anchored system. Your insurance company and building department will not count movies as secured openings.

Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient impact windows lower air leakage. That's fantastic, however it increases the importance of a correctly sized a/c with excellent dehumidification. If your system is extra-large, the thermostat pleases quickly and stops working to pull enough moisture from the air. Ask your a/c pro to check practical heat ratio, airflow, and run time. You desire steady, 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 product that will not gum up in heat. Little habits extend lifespan.

When shutters still belong in the conversation

There are genuine reasons to mix services. A set of hardly ever utilized garage windows can keep removable panels to shave budget plan. A deep-set deck with minimal sun direct exposure might do great with accordion shutters if you focus on other upgrades like a brand-new roof deck accessory or a prepared garage door. Shutters can also safeguard outdoor kitchens or cabana openings where grease and smoke would age expensive hardware prematurely.

If you select shutters, buy quality. Stainless fasteners, smooth tracks, and motors with handbook overrides for roll-downs make a distinction. Designate duty for deployment and practice when outside of 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: comfort you can feel on a peaceful Tuesday

Impact windows are not just about surviving the huge one. They improve daily living. The living-room stays cooler and quieter. The AC 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 hurricane threatens, your preparation list gets shorter. You lock the sashes, set storm mode on the alarm, and focus on individuals instead of panels.

For many of my customers, that intangible is the deciding aspect. They understand storms will come. They likewise know life in South Florida is too good 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 quiet confidence when the spaghetti designs point our method September.

If you are weighing the option, begin with a site-specific assessment. Match your exposures to design pressures, choose the right 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 deliver what shutters can not: protection that never asks for a ladder and a much better home every day of the year.