Hurricane-Proof Comfort: Selecting Miami-Dade Approved, Energy‑Efficient Impact Windows Over Shutters 83525

STS Impact Windows & Doors

STS Impact Windows, Doors & Roofing is a veteran-owned company based in South Florida that specializes in premium hurricane protection solutions, including impact windows, doors, custom storefronts, and roofing. Combining over 25 years of industry experience with military precision, STS provides expert installation, full transparency, and outstanding customer service, backed by a leading 3-year installation warranty. Their comprehensive services ensure security and peace of mind for both residential and commercial clients, with a strong focus on quality, reliability, and efficiency.

View on Google Maps

1000 Holland Dr #10, Boca Raton, 33487, US

Business Hours

Monday: 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday: 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday: 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday: 08:00 - 17:00
Friday: 08:00 - 17:00
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Follow us: Facebook | Instagram

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

What "Miami-Dade Approved" actually means

Miami-Dade County's Item Control Department sets one of the toughest standards in the country for constructing components exposed to windborne particles. Approval is not a marketing sticker. It is earned through particular lab tests that imitate real cyclone conditions.

First comes big rocket effect. A 9-pound 2x4 is shot at the glass at roughly 34 miles per hour. That simulates roofing system tiles, branches, or pieces of fencing that fly in the eyewall. After the effect, the same unit faces cyclic pressure loading, countless pressurization and depressurization cycles that mimic 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" often resides in these test limits. Miami-Dade is simply stiffer, especially in High Speed Typhoon Zone requirements, that include Miami-Dade and Broward.

Wind rankings vary by opening size and style pressures, signified as PSF worths. On ocean-facing properties or high-rises, I typically specify systems rated at +60/ -80 PSF or greater. Inland or in more safeguarded exposures, ratings in the +45/ -60 PSF variety can suffice, however 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 demands different support than a protected window under a deep porch.

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

Hurricane shutters vs impact windows is not a one-to-one comparison. Shutters can fulfill code, and they're better than nothing. But they ask you to do work at the worst possible time. When a watch turns to a warning 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 constant defense, even if a pop-up storm surprises you while you're stuck on United States 1. You likewise get advantages every day of the year.

Noise control is the most underappreciated advantage. Laminated impact glass is essentially a sandwich: 2 panes of glass bonded by a resistant interlayer, normally PVB interlayer glass or SentryGlas. That interlayer damps noise. On tasks along hectic passages like Biscayne Boulevard or near flight courses, I've measured interior noise drops in the 5 to 10 decibel range, sometimes more when paired with insulated glass units.

Security improves because laminated glass withstands required entry. An intruder can shatter the outer lite with a hammer, but the interlayer holds the fragments. They satisfy a sticky, stubborn membrane instead of a quick course inside. Insurance underwriters know this, which is why policies often offer credits for impact doors and windows. In my projects, premiums usually drop 10 to 25 percent, depending on the carrier and how many openings are protected.

Energy efficiency is the 3rd pillar. Energy-efficient impact windows with modern-day low-E impact glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while maintaining noticeable light. That suggests less a/c demand, especially on west and south exposures where the afternoon sun punishes interiors. In one Coral Gables retrofit, we replaced 1980s single-pane sliders with laminated low-E impact systems. Summertime afternoon peak load come by roughly a lots of cooling, and the home's annual electrical power usage 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 impact glass is the heart of the system, however not all laminated products are equal.

Most domestic cyclone windows utilize a PVB interlayer glass stack, typically 0.030 to 0.090 inches thick in single or numerous plies. Thicker interlayers improve impact resistance and sound control, but they include weight and expense. For oceanfront or high openings, you may see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and more powerful than PVB, allowing thinner areas to achieve greater style pressures. For noise-sensitive websites, acoustic PVB formulas fine-tune the polymer to much better soak up sound in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz range, where traffic and voices sit.

Tempered glass windows show up frequently in discussions because tempered glass is more powerful in bending than annealed glass. That holds true, and tempered lites are typically utilized as the external or inner ply in an impact unit. But tempered alone is not impact-resistant in the hurricane sense. When it fails, it explodes into little cubes and falls out of the frame, which leaves the opening susceptible. The effect efficiency comes from laminated building and construction, not tempering by itself. Many systems use a tempered outer lite laminated to a hardened inner lite, or both tempered, however always bonded through a PVB or ionoplast interlayer.

Low-E coverings 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 half or greater. Go too low on SHGC and the glass can look gray or green, specifically in bigger openings. The sweet area depends upon your façade orientation and shading. On east and west elevations, I often tighten up SHGC and accept a small tint to handle early morning and afternoon blasts. On north elevations, I lean toward higher noticeable transmittance for daylighting.

Frames are the other half of the story. Aluminum frames dominate here since they manage big openings and won't swell. Thermal breaks and improved glazing gaskets have narrowed the energy gap with vinyl. Premium vinyl effect frames, when strengthened properly, can carry out well for standard-sized openings and have much better insulating worths, but I prevent them for extremely broad sliders or high storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad units look gorgeous in older Mediterranean Revival homes, but they demand cautious upkeep and wise flashing. The Florida sun damages cheap vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum finishes quickly. Search for powder-coated finishes ranked for coastal direct exposure, and demand composed guarantee details in salt-air environments.

The surprise hero: installation that appreciates the load path

Window installation can make or break performance. A costly system set up like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's tension test. The load course is the crux. Effect 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 construction, you desire stainless or hot-dipped galvanized anchors embedded into solid 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 should bite into solid trimmers, not simply sheathing. Shimming and plumb positioning matter so the locks engage cleanly and the weatherstripping compresses evenly.

The sealant joint is not just visual. A properly sized backer rod and premium polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant produce a resilient, flexible seal that manages thermal expansion. Too small a bead and it tears under motion. Too big and it treatments improperly. On seaside tasks, I never pair dissimilar metals without a barrier, and I always define 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 vital. If you count on sealant alone, water will find its way in. That wetness may disappoint up as a drip. It might rot a sill plate slowly, then betray itself as a buckling floor or a moldy odor two typhoon 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 oiled, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even detachable panels stored carefully can protect homes successfully. They likewise help in certain cases.

Second homes or seasonal rentals where budget is tight sometimes lean on shutters to fulfill the Florida building code windows requirement for safeguarded openings. On specialized openings like a lanai that is rarely utilized in summer, a tidy motorized roll-down can be reasonable, especially if coupling with impact windows and doors somewhere else stresses the spending plan. For house owners who prepare 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 specifically the time you are managing insurance coverage documents, gas cans, and household logistics. Throughout Typhoon Irma, I enjoyed 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 survived with stitches. His living-room window did not. Shutters likewise rattle and can vibrate under sustained winds, in some cases loosening up fasteners over time if not maintained.

For long-lasting owners who want to set it and forget it, impact windows provide cyclone proof windows protection while protecting daylight and view. The convenience grows valuable once you have actually experienced one storm season with zero prep beyond locking the sash.

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

South Florida homes fight 2 battles: hidden load from humidity and reasonable load from direct solar heat gain. Effect glass upgrades can assist 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 finishing stacks, you can block a large part of radiant heat and UV. UV blockage in laminated units comes mostly from the interlayer itself, which typically filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, decreasing fading of fabrics and flooring. Add the low-E, and you suppress the solar heat that drives your a/c insane midafternoon.

I assess glass specifications with three numbers: U-factor, SHGC, and VT. While U-factor matters more up north, it still assists here by decreasing nighttime heat flow and keeping the interior glass temperature closer to space temperature level, which minimizes condensation threat. SHGC drives how much solar heat enters. VT affects how brilliant the interior feels. Balance is key. Some house owners desire the crisp, clear look of greater VT, even if it implies accepting a couple of degrees more heat in late afternoon, due to the fact that their landscaping and roof overhangs currently do some shading. Others prefer a stronger tint for glare control on waterfront lots that show harsh light.

In practical terms, going from clear single-pane sliders to modern-day low-E laminated double-glazed units can lower peak solar gains by 30 to half on the most exposed sides. Couple that with tuned overhangs, light-colored exterior finishes, and a correctly sized variable-speed heating and cooling, and you start to construct durability. If the grid goes down and you change to a generator, a lower cooling load suggests a smaller sized generator and less gallons of fuel.

Reading labels and approvals without getting lost in alphabet soup

Miami-Dade Notification of Acceptance, or NOA, is the file you request. It details the authorized setups, sizes, anchors, and pressures tested. It is inadequate to hear "these are Miami-Dade approved windows" in a display room. Confirm the NOA matches the exact design and options you are buying, consisting of the glazing makeup and hardware. If you are in Broward low-E tempered glass or Miami-Dade, your allowing workplace will want this paper trail.

Statewide, the Florida Product Approval system supplies FL numbers that reveal code compliance. In the remainder of the state outside the High Speed Typhoon Zone, Florida building code windows can count on Florida Product Approval without Miami-Dade specific NOAs. Lots of top manufacturers bring both. Where budgets permit, I prefer NOA items even outside the zone due to the fact that the screening is stiffer.

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

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

Impact windows cost more upfront than shutters. There's no spin around that. Installed costs differ with size, shape, finish, and gain access to. On straightforward single-family homes, per-opening costs frequently land between 1,200 and 3,000 dollars for standard sizes. Big multi-panel sliders, custom-made arches, and coastal-grade finishes raise the numbers quickly.

Where you recoup worth:

Insurance credits add up, typically 10 to 25 percent off premiums when all openings are protected.
Energy savings, usually 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 buyers anticipate impact doors and windows as a standard. A home with accordion shutters competes, however a home with storm effect windows reveals better, feels quieter, and generally assesses stronger.

If you prepare to own the residential or commercial property for five years or more, the math typically tilts in favor of effect windows, particularly when you factor the intangible of assurance. If you plan to offer within a year and require to show compliance rapidly, shutters might make more short-term sense. Context matters.

Details that separate great systems from excellent ones

I take note of hardware and devices. Multi-point locks on casements and awnings improve seal compression and security. For sliders, robust tandem rollers in stainless real estates slide smoother and last longer on sandy patio areas. Look at the sill design on moving doors. Weep systems ought to be crafted 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 films can contravene of neighborhood watch or produce mirror-like glare toward neighboring properties. In seaside environments, highly reflective glass can puzzle birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Local pros understand which coverings balance performance with compliance.

Color stability is a big deal. Dark bronze or black frames look great on modern-day homes, but in Florida sun inexpensive finishes chalk and fade. AAMA 2605-rated finishings offer the best color retention and chalk resistance. I specify them for coastal direct exposures whenever budget plans allow.

Special cases: historic homes, condos, and difficult openings

Historic districts typically require profiles that mimic old wood sash sightlines. There are impact-rated windows that fit these requirements, but lead times extend and costs climb. Anticipate additional review by architectural boards, and line up a contractor acquainted with these submissions.

Condos have another layer of governance. Associations in some cases define a narrow list of authorized items for uniformity. They also care about noise control in between systems. If your building sits directly on Collins Avenue or faces a hectic beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated choices. Deal with building management on staging and lift gain access to. Weekend work windows and limited parking can include days and dollars.

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

What a tidy task appears like from survey to last inspection

The best tasks start with a determined study and direct exposure analysis. You map each opening, keep in mind the substrate, and recognize any framing abnormalities or settlement fractures. During proposal, the professional shows you the NOA and the Florida Product 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 house protected. They secure floorings, draw back window treatments, and cap sprinklers. Old frames come out with care to protect 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 license file, particularly if they will be hidden. After glazing, they water-test with a regulated spray to confirm drain paths and seals. The inspector sees a neat jobsite, clear labels, and documents in order.

Six months later, your windows still close with 2 fingers, locks bite efficiently, and there is no mystery rattle during thunderstorms. You did not have to call for a roller modification after the very first week. That is the standard.

Frequently misconstrued points that cost property owners later

Impact score does not equal breakproof. Laminated glass can split under extreme effects, however it must stay in the frame and hold together. After a storm that sends out debris into the glass, you may see star fractures or spidering. The window did its task. Change 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 checked, anchored system. Your insurance provider and structure department will not count films as secured openings.

Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient effect windows minimize air leak. That's fantastic, however it increases the significance of a properly sized a/c with great dehumidification. If your system is oversized, the thermostat pleases rapidly and stops working to pull enough moisture from the air. Ask your HVAC pro to check sensible heat ratio, air flow, and run time. You desire steady, longer cycles, not short bursts.

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

When shutters still belong in the conversation

There are legitimate reasons to blend services. A set of seldom used garage windows can keep detachable panels to shave budget plan. A deep-set porch with minimal sun direct exposure might 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 safeguard outdoor cooking areas or cabana openings where grease and smoke would age fancy hardware prematurely.

If you pick shutters, purchase quality. Stainless fasteners, smooth tracks, and wind load requirements motors with handbook bypasses for roll-downs make a difference. Assign 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 want to discover you have 29.

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

Impact windows are not just about surviving the huge one. They improve 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 sound when a squall line passes at 2 a.m. When a typhoon threatens, your preparation list gets shorter. You lock the sashes, set storm mode on the alarm, and concentrate on people rather than panels.

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

If you are weighing the choice, begin with a site-specific assessment. Match your exposures to develop pressures, pick the ideal laminated glass stack for wind and heat, select frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and work with a crew that respects the load course. Done right, energy‑efficient effect windows provide what shutters can not: defense that never asks for a ladder and a much better home every day of the year.

Hurricane-Proof Comfort: Selecting Miami-Dade Approved, Energy‑Efficient Impact Windows Over Shutters 83525

STS Impact Windows & Doors

Business Hours

People Also Ask about STS Impact Windows and Doors

What does STS Impact Windows and Doors do?

Where is STS Impact Windows and Doors located?

Is STS Impact Windows and Doors a veteran-owned business?

What services does STS Impact Windows and Doors provide?

Who does STS Impact Windows and Doors serve?

What are the benefits of choosing STS Impact Windows and Doors?

What awards has STS Impact Windows and Doors won?

How can I contact STS Impact Windows and Doors?