The Solar Shield Blog

Quick Summary When Kansas City developer Mike Zeller needed a way to control extreme winds on the Rock Island Bridge project, he called Solar Shield Blinds for help. Solar Shield designed and installed 37 custom motorized exterior shades to protect the bridge’s restaurant, bar, and event spaces while maintaining the project’s open-air atmosphere. Through detailed planning, expert installation, and a strong focus on safety, the project was completed on schedule and became a major success for the venue. When Mike Needed Trusted Experts For A Massive Exterior Shade Project, Solar Shield Got The Call How We Helped Make The Rock Island Bridge Project A Major Kansas City Success Story Kansas City entrepreneur Mike Zeller had a vision – transform an abandoned railroad bridge into a multi-use event destination. There was just one problem. On-site winds of up to 40 miles an hour were the norm, not the exception. Without reliable protection from these winds, there was no way to turn the project into a workable reality. To tackle this problem, Mike had one name in mind – Solar Shield Blinds. News of our previous commercial projects had convinced him we were the team for the job. And he was right. Through a meticulous process, we outfitted the two-story bridge with windproof, motorized exterior shades. Mike was more than impressed with the final results. And we were super-proud to help this one-of-a-kind local attraction come fully to life. Mike’s Vision For His Bridge Makeover Hits A Snag Rock Island Bridge spans the Kansas River on the west side of Kansas City, MO. For long years, it served as part of a heavily used railroad line. By the 2000s, it was still structurally sound. However, its days as an active rail link were behind it. In 2018, Mike Zeller had a great idea. Take this disused bridge and turn it into America’s first above-river entertainment district. Mike encountered plenty of problems while trying to put the project together. He overcame them one by one until he had a clear path to construction and completion. But as he approached the project’s end in 2025, his headaches weren’t done yet. The Kansas River creates a natural wind tunnel, funneling regular, heavy gusts right through the bridge. With nothing to block them, these gusts were strong enough to damage equipment and keep patrons away. Mike needed a reliable way to keep wind out and deliver on his vision’s promise. So, he picked up the phone and placed a call to Solar Shield’s owner, Tim Sanders. “Transforming an old railroad bridge is a heavy lift, and we really relied on local companies that wanted to help get this thing across the finish line and do a good job at a really good price. And I’ve got to say, Solar Shield was at the top of our list of subs. They really set the tone for the professionalism we saw…” 

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How Meddy's Turned A Winter-Shut Patio Into Year-Round Seating Winter Shut Down Their Patio We Made It Usable Again. For a busy restaurant, empty tables cost money. But what's worse is empty tables outside while customers wait inside. That was the situation at Meddy's, a growing Mediterranean restaurant in Kansas City. Their patio was one of their most popular features( other than their delicious food! ) until winter hit. Once cold temperatures and wind rolled in, the patio became unusable. Even with heaters running, guests wouldn't sit outside. The space sat empty while demand stayed high inside. Staff were forced to manage long wait times while available seating went unused. Meddy's brought us in to solve it. This wasn't a design issue. It was a performance problem. The Real Problem Was Wind At first glance, the patio felt too cold to use. But the heaters were already there. The space was fully exposed. Wind moved straight through the patio and pulled heat out as fast as it was produced. The heaters never had a chance to do their job. Even with both built-in ceiling heaters and portable propane heaters running, they still couldn't keep the patio warm enough for guests.

The Antique Window Other Companies Called “Impossible To Have Shutters” How Our Custom Direct-Mount Solution Preserved A 100-Year-Old Home’s Architecture Laura wasn’t trying to do anything unusual. She just wanted plantation shutters installed on the front of her home. All the other windows were straightforward. Our new shutters immediately improved the look of the house. But one window stopped the project. A handcrafted, cross-pattern window built into the home over 100 years ago . And every company she called gave her the same answer: “Shutters won’t work there.” They suggested a simple solution – just install a square shade above the window and cover it completely. Sure, it would block light. But it would also hide the antique trim and erase one of the home’s most unique architectural details. For Laura, that wasn’t a solution. More Examples Of Our Exterior Shades And Interior Blinds How Meddy's Turned A Winter-Shut Patio Into Year-Round Seating Tim's New Patio Blocks Winter At The Push Of A Button

Tim’s Patio Blocks Winter With One Button And Lets His Pup Out On Command Our Exterior Shades Turned His Back Deck Into A Year-Round Space “Alexa, dogs out.” Tim says it from his couch, then a patio shade lifts automatically so his pup can run into the yard. A moment later, it drops back down, sealing the space from the 20° wind chill outside. It’s a small moment that shows how his patio works now. Because not long ago, that same wind made the space unusable. Cold air moved straight through the patio and pulled heat away instantly. Even bundled up, it wasn’t comfortable to sit outside. This meant the deck sat mostly empty for months, with furniture covered and unused. Then our Solar Shield Blinds team installed motorized 95% exterior solar shades – like “sunglasses” for a patio. It keeps the beautiful view – but blocks winter. By cutting the wind, the heat stays in, and the entire space works differently. Now Tim can sit outside in a T-shirt… in the middle of winter. More Examples Of Our Exterior Shades And Interior Blinds The Antique Window Other Companies Called “Impossible To Have Shutters” How Meddy's Turned A Winter-Shut Patio Into Year-Round Seating

Five essential considerations to help homeowners set realistic expectations before investing in exterior patio shades for their outdoor living space.

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