The Most Popular Window Coverings for Pet Owners in Hartford
It’s an image pet owners in Hartford probably know too well: leaving your home only to look behind and see your furry friend’s face peeking through the window as you leave. For pet owners with certain window coverings, regular trips to the window could mean trouble, as pets can cause some of the worst and lasting damage to your window treatments.
So what can you do to protect against pet damage? The simplest way is to pick a pet-friendly window covering that can stand up to even the most finicky pets. Let’s dive into some of the best (and worst) window treatments for pet owners throughout CT.
Window Treatments That Aren’t Pet-Friendly
We’ll start by taking a look at what window treatments pet owners should not choose.
Window Treatments With Cords
Similar to window safety for children, cords are one of the biggest issues for pet owners. Both dogs and cats are known to play with hanging cords, which may mean damage to your window covering or worse, injury to your pet.
Opt instead for window treatments without cords, whether they’re shutters that attach to the window frame or other window coverings that have a top-down bottom-up configuration or are motorized.
Metal Blinds
Photo courtesy Carlos Castro via Flickr (Creative Commons).
Metal blinds might be the absolute worst window treatment for homeowners with pets. Not only do the blinds usually operate by cord, but they’re extremely vulnerable to damage from even the most gentle pets. Dogs or cats poking their heads through aluminum blinds can bend, warp, or even snap the flimsy slats, which means you’ll need to replace the whole window treatment.
Fabric Window Treatments
Fabrics might be something to avoid, depending on your pet and the type of window treatment. Lengthy fabrics like drapes can “pool” on the floor, making them easy for dirty paws to walk all over. Fabric window treatments also frequently collect pet hair which nullifies any style value they can add. Finally, fabrics can tear, something cat owners know all too well.
The Most Pet-Friendly Window Treatments
Now that you’ve seen which window coverings don’t get along with pets, let’s take a look at the most pet-friendly window treatments.
Wood and Faux-Wood Blinds
Almost all of the issues aluminum blinds have, wood and faux-wood blinds resolve for pet owners. Even if your pet likes to poke its face through the window, resilient wood blinds can handle more abuse than metal blinds. In addition, their usual wide slats make it more difficult for pets to get their arms or necks tangled in between them.
But, be sure that if you choose wood or faux-wood blinds that you go with ones without cords.
Plantation Shutters - The Most Pet Friendly Window Treatment
If you’re concerned about damage to your window treatments or injury to your pet caused by window treatments, plantation shutters may assuage those worries. Because they’re mounted directly into the window frame, there aren’t any hanging cords or fabric that may cause issues. What’s more, even if your pets are able to reach them, Polywood® plantation shutters are resistant to scratches and sturdy so damage is hardly an issue.
Plantation shutters keep your pets happy too. Own a pooch that wants to look out the window as you leave? Shutters can make it easy without any chance of damage. Does your kitten want a patch of sunlight to nap in? Just adjust the louvers and let the light come through without giving up your privacy.
In short, plantation shutters are the most ideal window treatment for pet owners.
