Hurricane-Proof Comfort: Choosing Miami-Dade Approved, Energy‑Efficient Effect 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 method next-door neighbors track tropical waves, the pre-storm rush to stockpile, and the ritual of transporting ladders to mount panels. After 20 years defining, setting up, and troubleshooting building envelopes from Secret Largo to Palm Beach, I have actually seen what holds up and what doesn't. When the goal is real defense with year-round convenience, Miami-Dade approved, energy‑efficient effect windows outshine shutters in ways that go beyond storm day. They alter how a house feels in August, how quiet 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 practical look at why many South Florida property owners are moving from shutters to typhoon impact-resistant windows, how to check out the requirements behind "Miami-Dade authorized," what materials matter, and how to get the setup right the very first time.

What "Miami-Dade Approved" in fact means

Miami-Dade County's Product Control Department sets one of the most difficult standards in the nation for developing parts exposed to windborne debris. Approval is not a custom impact doors marketing sticker label. It is made through specific laboratory tests that imitate genuine typhoon conditions.

First comes large rocket effect. A 9-pound 2x4 is contended the glass at roughly 34 miles per hour. That mimics roofing tiles, branches, or pieces of fencing that fly in the eyewall. After the impact, the very same system deals with cyclic pressure loading, countless pressurization and depressurization cycles that simulate rapid wind gusts over hours. If the glass remains in the frame without letting the envelope breach, it passes. The difference in between "meets Florida building regulations windows" and "Miami-Dade authorized windows" frequently lives in these test thresholds. Miami-Dade is just stiffer, particularly in High Velocity Hurricane Zone requirements, which include Miami-Dade and Broward.

Wind scores vary by opening size and style pressures, denoted as PSF values. On ocean-facing residential or commercial properties or high-rises, I often specify systems rated at +60/ -80 PSF or higher. Inland or in more protected exposures, scores in the +45/ -60 PSF range can be adequate, but you size and specification based on the website's wind map, constructing height, and surrounding structures. An expert knows that a corner exposure at the second story needs different reinforcement than a sheltered window under a deep porch.

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

Hurricane shutters vs impact windows is not a one-to-one contrast. Shutters can satisfy code, and they're much better than 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 up, the last thing you want is a ladder, a dead cordless drill, and a missing wing nut.

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

Noise control is the most underappreciated advantage. Laminated impact glass is basically a sandwich: 2 panes of glass bonded by a durable interlayer, typically PVB interlayer glass or SentryGlas. That interlayer damps sound. On tasks along hectic corridors like Biscayne Boulevard or near flight paths, I've measured interior noise drops in the 5 to 10 decibel variety, sometimes more when coupled with insulated glass units.

Security enhances because laminated glass resists forced entry. An intruder can shatter the external lite with a hammer, however the interlayer holds the fragments. They satisfy a sticky, persistent membrane rather of a quick course inside. Insurance coverage underwriters understand this, which is why policies typically use credits for effect windows and doors. In my projects, premiums typically drop 10 to 25 percent, depending upon the carrier and the number of openings are protected.

Energy performance is the 3rd pillar. Energy-efficient impact windows with contemporary low-E effect glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while preserving noticeable light. That suggests less a/c demand, especially 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 effect systems. Summertime afternoon peak load dropped by approximately a lots of cooling, and the home's yearly electrical energy usage fell in between 12 and 18 percent. Results differ with shading, attic insulation, and a/c effectiveness, however 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 residential cyclone windows use a PVB interlayer glass stack, frequently 0.030 to 0.090 inches thick in single or several plies. Thicker interlayers enhance effect resistance and sound control, however they include weight and expense. For oceanfront or tall openings, you might see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and stronger than PVB, enabling thinner sections to attain higher style pressures. For noise-sensitive websites, acoustic PVB formulations modify the polymer to much better absorb sound in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz range, where traffic and voices sit.

Tempered glass windows come up frequently in discussions due to the fact that tempered glass is stronger in bending than annealed glass. That's true, and tempered lites are typically utilized as the outer or inner ply in an impact unit. However tempered alone is not impact-resistant in the cyclone sense. When it fails, it takes off into little cubes and falls out of the frame, which leaves the opening susceptible. The effect performance originates from laminated construction, not tempering by itself. Numerous systems utilize a tempered external lite laminated to a hardened inner lite, or both tempered, but always bonded through a PVB or ionoplast interlayer.

Low-E coverings matter for comfort. A soft-coat low-E tuned for South Florida typically targets a solar heat gain coefficient in the 0.25 to 0.35 range while keeping visible light transmission around half or greater. Go too low on SHGC and the glass can look gray or green, particularly in larger openings. The sweet spot depends upon your exterior orientation and shading. On east and west elevations, I typically tighten SHGC and accept a minor tint to handle morning and afternoon blasts. On north elevations, I favor greater visible transmittance for daylighting.

Frames are the other half of the story. Aluminum frames dominate here because they handle large openings and will not swell. Thermal breaks and enhanced glazing gaskets have actually narrowed the energy space with vinyl. Premium vinyl impact frames, when strengthened appropriately, can carry out well for standard-sized openings and have better insulating values, however I avoid 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 careful maintenance and wise flashing. The Florida sun destroys cheap vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum finishes quickly. Search for powder-coated finishes ranked for coastal direct exposure, and demand composed service warranty details in salt-air environments.

The concealed hero: setup that appreciates the load path

Window setup can make or break efficiency. An expensive unit installed like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's tension test. The load course is the essence. Impact forces have 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 want stainless or hot-dipped galvanized anchors embedded into strong product. Hollow cells need to be grouted or you need 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 alignment matter so the locks engage cleanly and the weatherstripping compresses evenly.

The sealant joint is not just aesthetic. An appropriately sized backer rod and premium polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant develop a resilient, versatile seal that handles thermal expansion. Too small a bead and it tears under motion. Too huge and it cures badly. On seaside jobs, I never ever match different metals without a barrier, and I constantly 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 vital. If you count on sealant alone, water will discover its way in. That moisture might disappoint up as a drip. It may rot a sill plate gradually, then betray itself as a buckling floor or a moldy smell two hurricane seasons later.

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

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

Second homes or seasonal leasings where spending plan is tight sometimes lean on shutters to satisfy the Florida building code windows requirement for safeguarded openings. On specialized openings like a lanai that is hardly ever utilized in summer, a tidy motorized roll-down can be sensible, particularly if pairing with effect doors and windows in other places stresses the spending plan. For house owners who plan to move within a year, shutters can be a short bridge to compliance before a sale.

But shutters bring trade-offs. They darken the house when deployed, and they need action at precisely the time you are managing insurance coverage papers, gas cans, and family logistics. Throughout Cyclone Irma, I saw a next-door neighbor attempt to install steel panels hours before landfall. The ladder sank in saturated soil, a panel slipped, and we invested 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 continual winds, often loosening up fasteners with time if not maintained.

For long-term owners who wish to set it and forget it, impact windows provide hurricane proof windows coverage while protecting daylight and view. The convenience grows valuable once you've experienced one storm season with no preparation beyond locking the sash.

The energy story: how glass specs translate to comfort and bills

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

Low-E effect glass uses microscopically thin metallic layers to show infrared energy while letting noticeable light through. With the right covering stacks, you can block a big portion 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, reducing fading of fabrics and flooring. Add the low-E, and you suppress the solar heat that drives your air conditioner crazy midafternoon.

I examine glass specifications with three numbers: U-factor, SHGC, and VT. While U-factor matters more up north, it still helps here by minimizing nighttime heat flow and keeping the interior glass temperature level closer to space temperature, which lowers condensation risk. SHGC drives how much solar heat goes into. VT influences how intense the interior feels. Balance is key. Some property owners desire the crisp, clear appearance of greater VT, even if it indicates accepting a few degrees more heat in late afternoon, because their landscaping and roofing system overhangs currently do some shading. Others prefer a stronger tint for glare control on waterside lots that reflect harsh light.

In useful terms, going from clear single-pane sliders to modern-day 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 outside surfaces, and a correctly sized variable-speed HVAC, and you start to construct strength. If the grid decreases and you switch to a generator, a lower new construction windows cooling load implies a smaller generator and fewer gallons of fuel.

Reading labels and approvals without getting lost in alphabet soup

Miami-Dade Notification of Approval, or NOA, is the document you request. It details the approved setups, sizes, anchors, and pressures tested. It is inadequate to hear "these are Miami-Dade authorized windows" in a display room. Validate the NOA matches the exact design and choices you are buying, including the glazing makeup and hardware. If you are in Broward or Miami-Dade, your allowing workplace will desire this paper trail.

Statewide, the Florida Product Approval system supplies FL numbers that reveal code compliance. In the rest of the state outside the High Speed Cyclone Zone, Florida building code windows can depend on Florida Product Approval without Miami-Dade specific NOAs. Many leading manufacturers bring both. Where budgets allow, I choose NOA products even outside the zone because the testing is stiffer.

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

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

Impact windows cost more in advance than shutters. There's no spin around that. Set up expenses vary with size, shape, surface, and access. On uncomplicated single-family homes, per-opening costs frequently land 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 value:

• Insurance credits add up, frequently 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 full window upgrade coupled with sealing and attic improvements.
• Resale appeal, especially in markets where purchasers expect impact doors and windows as a baseline. A home with accordion shutters completes, however a home with storm impact windows reveals better, feels quieter, and normally appraises stronger.

If you prepare to own the home for five years or more, the math frequently 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 good systems from great ones

I focus on hardware and devices. Multi-point locks on casements and awnings improve seal compression and security. For sliders, robust tandem rollers in stainless housings glide smoother and last longer on sandy patio areas. Take a look at the sill design on moving doors. Weep systems should be crafted to drain heavy rainfall without letting wind-driven water blow back ASTM impact testing in. Ask to see a cutaway sample in the showroom.

Tint colors and reflectivity are more than fashion. Reflective movies can run afoul of neighborhood watch or produce mirror-like glare toward neighboring properties. In seaside ecosystems, extremely reflective glass can puzzle birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Regional pros know which finishings balance efficiency with compliance.

heat-strengthened glass

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

Special cases: historic homes, condos, and tricky openings

Historic districts often need profiles that imitate old wood sash sightlines. There are impact-rated windows that fit these requirements, however lead times lengthen and costs climb. Anticipate additional evaluation by architectural boards, and line up a contractor familiar with these submissions.

Condos have another layer of governance. Associations often define a narrow list of approved products for harmony. They also care about noise control between units. If your building sits directly on Collins Avenue or faces a hectic beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated options. Deal with building management on staging and lift access. Weekend work windows and restricted parking can add days and dollars.

Large openings, like a 16-foot-wide slider, need unique attention in style pressure, deflection, and running hardware. Not every unit that looks strong in a display room fulfills the wind loads on a ninth-floor balcony. Do not rely on catalog maximum sizes. Use the NOA tables that represent your site's zone, positive and negative pressures, and mullion combinations if any.

What a tidy project appears like from survey to last inspection

The best jobs begin with a measured study and direct exposure analysis. You map each opening, note the substrate, and recognize any framing abnormalities or settlement fractures. During proposition, the contractor reveals you the NOA and the Florida Product Approval, lists anchor types, and discusses how each opening will be flashed and sealed. They prepare for stucco or drywall repairs, not pretend no damage will occur.

On set up day, they eliminate one opening at a time to keep your home safe and secure. They protect floorings, pull back window treatments, and cap sprinklers. Old frames bring out 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 photograph anchors for the permit file, particularly if they will be concealed. After glazing, they water-test with a regulated spray to confirm drain paths 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 need to call for a roller modification after the first week. That is the standard.

Frequently misinterpreted points that cost homeowners later

Impact ranking does not equal breakproof. Laminated glass can break under extreme impacts, however it ought to stay in the frame and hold together. After a storm that sends out debris into the glass, you may see star cracks or spidering. The window did its job. Replace the sash or IGU after the event.

Window films do not convert non-impact windows into typhoon impact-resistant windows. They can add shatter resistance, however they do not substitute for an evaluated, anchored system. Your insurance provider and building department will not count movies as protected openings.

Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient effect windows minimize air leakage. That's fantastic, but it increases the significance of an appropriately sized a/c with good 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 check practical heat ratio, air flow, and run time. You want constant, longer cycles, not brief bursts.

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

When shutters still belong in the conversation

There are genuine reasons to mix options. A pair of seldom utilized garage windows can keep detachable panels to shave spending plan. A deep-set patio with very little sun exposure may do fine with accordion shutters if you prioritize other upgrades like a new roofing system deck accessory or a fortified garage door. Shutters can also secure outdoor kitchens or cabana openings where grease and smoke would age elegant hardware prematurely.

If you pick shutters, invest in quality. Stainless fasteners, smooth tracks, and motors with manual overrides for roll-downs make a difference. Appoint responsibility for implementation and practice as soon as beyond 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: comfort you can feel on a peaceful Tuesday

Impact windows are not only about enduring the huge one. They reshape daily living. The living-room stays cooler and quieter. The air conditioning 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 typhoon 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 many of my customers, that intangible is the choosing element. They know storms will come. They also understand life in South Florida is too good to live inside a fortress that only wakes up in August. Miami-Dade approved windows give you both: a clear view of hurricane shutters 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 choice, begin with a site-specific evaluation. Match your exposures to develop pressures, select the best laminated glass stack for wind and heat, select frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and work with a crew that appreciates the load course. Done right, energy‑efficient impact windows provide what shutters can not: security that never ever requests for a ladder and a better home every day of the year.