Hurricane-Proof Assurance: Selecting 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
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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
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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 install panels. After 20 years specifying, setting up, and troubleshooting building envelopes from Key Largo to Palm Beach, I've seen what holds up and what doesn't. When the objective is genuine security with year-round convenience, Miami-Dade authorized, energy‑efficient effect windows outshine shutters in manner ins which exceed storm day. They alter how a home 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 useful take a look at why lots of South Florida property owners are moving from shutters to typhoon 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.

What "Miami-Dade Approved" in fact means

Miami-Dade County's Product Control Department sets among the toughest criteria in the country for building elements exposed to windborne particles. Approval is not a marketing sticker label. It is earned through particular laboratory tests that simulate real cyclone conditions.

First comes large rocket effect. A 9-pound 2x4 is contended the glass at roughly 34 miles per hour. That imitates roofing tiles, branches, or pieces of fencing that fly in the eyewall. After the effect, the very same unit deals with cyclic pressure loading, thousands of pressurization and depressurization cycles that simulate fast wind gusts over hours. If the glass stays in the frame without letting the envelope breach, it passes. The difference in between "fulfills Florida building code windows" and "Miami-Dade authorized windows" frequently resides in these test thresholds. Miami-Dade is just stiffer, especially in High Speed Hurricane Zone requirements, that include Miami-Dade and Broward.

Wind ratings vary by opening size and design pressures, signified as PSF values. On ocean-facing properties or high-rises, I often specify systems ranked at +60/ -80 PSF or greater. Inland or in more secured direct exposures, scores in the +45/ -60 PSF variety can be sufficient, however you size and spec based upon the website's wind map, developing 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.

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

Hurricane shutters vs effect windows is not a one-to-one contrast. Shutters can fulfill 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 warning and the projection 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 protection, even if a pop-up storm surprises you while you're stuck on US 1. You also get advantages every day of the year.

Noise control is the most underappreciated benefit. Laminated effect glass is essentially a sandwich: 2 panes of glass bonded by a durable interlayer, typically PVB interlayer glass or SentryGlas. That interlayer damps sound. On jobs along busy passages like Biscayne Boulevard or near flight courses, I've measured interior sound drops in the 5 to 10 decibel range, in some cases more when coupled with insulated glass units.

Security enhances because laminated glass resists forced entry. A robber can shatter the outer lite with a hammer, but the interlayer holds the shards. They meet a sticky, stubborn membrane instead of a quick path inside. Insurance underwriters know this, which is why policies frequently offer credits for effect doors and windows. In my jobs, premiums normally drop 10 to 25 percent, depending upon the carrier and how many openings are protected.

Energy performance is the third pillar. Energy-efficient effect windows with contemporary low-E impact glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while maintaining noticeable light. That implies less cooling demand, particularly on west and south direct exposures where the afternoon sun penalizes interiors. In one Coral Gables retrofit, we replaced 1980s single-pane sliders with laminated low-E impact systems. Summertime afternoon peak load dropped by roughly a ton of cooling, and the home's yearly electricity use fell between 12 and 18 percent. Results vary with shading, attic insulation, and heating and cooling effectiveness, but the direction 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 property hurricane windows use a PVB interlayer glass stack, frequently 0.030 to 0.090 inches thick in single or numerous plies. Thicker interlayers enhance impact resistance and sound control, however they include weight and cost. For oceanfront or tall openings, you might see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and stronger than PVB, enabling thinner sections to achieve higher style pressures. For noise-sensitive websites, acoustic PVB formulations modify the polymer to better soak up noise in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz range, where traffic and voices sit.

Tempered glass windows turn up typically in conversations due to the fact that tempered glass is more powerful in flexing than annealed glass. That's true, and tempered lites are typically utilized as the external or inner ply in an effect system. But tempered alone is not impact-resistant in the hurricane sense. When it fails, it explodes into small cubes and falls out of the frame, which leaves the opening susceptible. The impact efficiency comes 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 always bonded through a PVB or ionoplast interlayer.

Low-E finishes matter for comfort. A soft-coat low-E tuned for South Florida normally targets a solar heat gain coefficient in the 0.25 to 0.35 variety while keeping visible 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 typically tighten SHGC and accept a small tint to handle early morning and afternoon blasts. On north elevations, I favor greater noticeable transmittance for daylighting.

Frames are the other half of the story. Aluminum frames control here due to the fact that they deal with 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 reinforced appropriately, can perform well for standard-sized openings and have better insulating worths, however I prevent them for extremely large sliders or tall storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad units look lovely in older Mediterranean Revival homes, but they require careful upkeep and wise flashing. The Florida sun ruins inexpensive vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum surfaces rapidly. Try to find powder-coated surfaces rated for seaside direct exposure, and demand written warranty details in salt-air environments.

The surprise hero: setup that respects the load path

Window installation can make or break performance. A pricey unit set up like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's stress test. The load course is the essence. Impact forces need to travel from the glass through the frame, to the anchors, into the substrate, and after that into the structure's framing or masonry.

In cinder block building and construction, you desire stainless or hot-dipped galvanized anchors embedded into solid product. Hollow cells need to be grouted or you require to hit the bond beam. Tapcons in soft, unfilled block are a failure waiting to occur. In wood-framed houses, structural screws need to 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 aesthetic. An effectively sized backer rod and premium polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant create a long lasting, flexible seal that handles thermal growth. Too little a bead and it tears under movement. Too big and it cures badly. On seaside jobs, I never match different 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 integration with the water-resistive barrier are crucial. If you rely on sealant alone, water will discover its method. That wetness might not show up as a drip. It might rot a sill plate slowly, then betray itself as a buckling floor or a moldy smell 2 hurricane seasons later.

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

I have absolutely nothing versus properly designed shutters. Accordion shutters that are maintained and lubed, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even detachable panels kept carefully can safeguard homes efficiently. They also assist in particular cases.

Second homes or seasonal rentals where budget is tight sometimes lean on shutters to fulfill the Florida building regulations windows requirement for safeguarded openings. On specialized openings like a lanai that is rarely utilized in summer, a tidy motorized roll-down can be affordable, particularly if pairing with impact doors and windows somewhere else worries the budget plan. For property owners who plan to move within a year, shutters can be a brief bridge to compliance before a sale.

But shutters bring trade-offs. They darken your home when released, and they require action at exactly the time you are juggling insurance documents, gas cans, and household logistics. During Cyclone Irma, I enjoyed 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 immediate care waiting room. He made it through with stitches. His living room window did not. Shutters likewise rattle and can vibrate under sustained winds, in some cases loosening fasteners over time if not maintained.

For long-lasting owners who want to set it and forget it, effect windows provide hurricane proof windows protection while maintaining daytime and view. The benefit grows valuable once you've experienced one storm season with absolutely no preparation beyond locking the sash.

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

South Florida homes fight 2 battles: latent load from humidity and practical load from direct solar heat gain. Effect glass upgrades can assist both if defined intelligently.

Low-E impact glass uses microscopically thin metallic layers to show infrared energy while letting noticeable light through. With the ideal finish stacks, you can block a big portion of radiant heat and UV. UV blockage in laminated systems comes mainly from the interlayer itself, which normally filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, reducing fading of fabrics and flooring. Include the low-E, and you curb the solar heat that drives your AC insane midafternoon.

I assess glass specifications with 3 numbers: U-factor, SHGC, and VT. While U-factor matters more up north, it still assists here by decreasing nighttime heat circulation and keeping the interior glass temperature level closer to space temperature, which decreases condensation risk. SHGC drives how much solar heat enters. VT affects how intense the interior feels. Balance is crucial. Some homeowners desire the crisp, clear appearance of greater VT, even if it indicates accepting a couple of 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 reflect harsh light.

In practical terms, going from clear single-pane sliders to modern-day low-E laminated double-glazed systems can lower peak solar gains by 30 to 50 percent 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 build resilience. If the grid goes down and you change to a generator, a lower cooling load implies a smaller sized 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 document you ask for. It details the approved configurations, sizes, anchors, and pressures evaluated. It is insufficient to hear "these are Miami-Dade authorized windows" in a showroom. Confirm the NOA matches the specific design and choices you are purchasing, consisting of the glazing makeup and hardware. If you remain in Broward or Miami-Dade, your permitting workplace will desire this paper trail.

Statewide, the Florida Product Approval system provides FL numbers that reveal code compliance. In the remainder of the state outside the High Velocity Typhoon Zone, Florida building regulations windows can count on Florida Product Approval without Miami-Dade specific NOAs. Lots of leading makers bring both. Where budget plans enable, I prefer NOA items even outside the zone due to the fact that the testing is stiffer.

NFRC labels manage energy metrics. They will not tell you impact efficiency, however they reveal U-factor, SHGC, VT, and air leak. Aim for air leakage at or below 0.3 cfm/ft ². Tighter is much better for humidity control, however ensure your home still has balanced ventilation. Sealing the envelope and overlooking fresh air is a recipe for indoor air quality complaints.

Dollars and sense: what to anticipate on expense, cost savings, and resale

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

Where you recover worth:

• Insurance credits build up, often 10 to 25 percent off premiums when all openings are protected.
• Energy cost savings, normally 8 to 20 percent on yearly cooling expenses in older homes after a complete window upgrade coupled with sealing and attic improvements.
• Resale appeal, specifically in markets where buyers expect effect doors and windows as a baseline. A home with accordion shutters competes, however a home with storm effect windows reveals better, feels quieter, and normally appraises stronger.

If you prepare to own the home for five years or more, the math typically tilts in favor of effect windows, particularly when you factor the intangible of peace of mind. If you plan to offer within a year and need to show compliance quickly, shutters may make more short-term sense. Context matters.

Details that separate great systems from great ones

I take notice of hardware and devices. Multi-point locks on casements and awnings enhance seal compression and security. For sliders, robust tandem rollers in stainless real estates glide smoother and last longer on sandy outdoor patios. Look at the sill design on sliding doors. Weep systems should 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 style. Reflective movies can run afoul of neighborhood associations or produce mirror-like glare toward neighboring properties. In seaside communities, extremely reflective glass can confuse birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Regional pros know which coverings balance efficiency with compliance.

Color stability is a big deal. Dark bronze or black frames look fantastic on contemporary homes, but in Florida sun inexpensive finishes chalk and fade. AAMA 2605-rated coatings provide the best color retention and chalk resistance. I specify them for seaside exposures whenever budget plans allow.

Special cases: historic homes, condos, and difficult openings

Historic districts often require profiles that mimic old wood sash sightlines. There are impact-rated windows that fit these requirements, but lead times extend and costs climb. Expect extra review 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 authorized products for harmony. They also care about sound control between units. If your building sits directly on Collins Opportunity or faces a busy beach boardwalk, push for building code safety glazing acoustic laminated alternatives. Deal with building management on staging and lift access. 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 unit that looks durable in a showroom satisfies the wind loads on a ninth-floor terrace. Do not rely on brochure optimum sizes. Use the NOA tables that represent your site's zone, favorable and unfavorable pressures, and mullion mixes if any.

What a clean project appears like from survey to last inspection

The best tasks begin with a measured survey and direct exposure analysis. You map each opening, keep in mind the substrate, and determine any framing irregularities or settlement cracks. Throughout proposal, the contractor reveals you the NOA and the Florida Item Approval, lists anchor types, and explains how each opening will be flashed and sealed. They plan for stucco or drywall repair work, not pretend no damage will occur.

On set up day, they get rid of one opening at a time to keep the house safe and secure. They secure floors, draw back window treatments, and cap sprinklers. Old frames come out with care to protect interior surfaces. New systems get dry-fit, shimmed, and anchored per the schedule. The crew checks squareness and diagonals before setting sealant. They photograph anchors for the license file, particularly if they will be concealed. After glazing, they water-test with a regulated spray to validate drain paths and seals. The inspector sees a cool jobsite, clear labels, and paperwork in order.

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

Frequently misunderstood points that cost homeowners later

Impact rating does not equivalent breakproof. Laminated glass can split under serious impacts, however it should remain in the frame and hold together. After a storm that sends debris into the glass, you might see star cracks or spidering. The window did its task. 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 a checked, anchored system. Your insurer and structure department will not count movies as safeguarded openings.

Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient impact windows reduce air leak. That's fantastic, but it increases the value of an effectively sized HVAC with good dehumidification. If your system is large, the thermostat pleases rapidly and stops working to pull enough moisture from the air. Ask your a/c pro to inspect practical heat ratio, airflow, and run time. You desire steady, longer cycles, not short bursts.

Maintenance is simple but not optional. Clean weep holes on sliders, wash salt spray from frames, and lubricate hardware yearly 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 legitimate factors to blend services. A pair of hardly ever utilized garage windows can keep removable panels to shave spending plan. A deep-set porch with very little sun exposure might do fine with accordion shutters if you prioritize other upgrades like a brand-new roofing system deck accessory or a fortified garage door. Shutters can also secure outside kitchen areas or cabana openings where grease and smoke would age expensive hardware prematurely.

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

The bottom line: comfort you can feel on a peaceful Tuesday

Impact windows are not just about making it through the huge one. They reshape daily living. The living-room remains cooler and quieter. The AC 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 cyclone threatens, your preparation list gets much shorter. You lock the sashes, set storm mode on the alarm, and concentrate on individuals instead of panels.

For much of my customers, that intangible is the deciding element. They know storms will come. They also know life in South Florida is too excellent to live inside a fortress that just awakens in August. Miami-Dade approved windows give you both: a clear view of Biscayne Bay on a breezy February early morning and peaceful self-confidence when the spaghetti designs point our method September.

If you are weighing the choice, start with a site-specific evaluation. Match your exposures to design pressures, pick the best 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 effect windows deliver what shutters can not: defense that never requests for a ladder and a better home every day of the year.