The Most Popular Window Treatments for Pet Owners in Dallas
It’s an image Dallas pet owners probably know too well: leaving your house only to look behind and see your furry friend’s face peeking through the window as you walk away. For pet owners with certain types of window treatments, frequent trips to the window might spell disaster, as pets can make for some of the worst accidental damage to your window treatments.
So how do you prevent pet damage? The easiest way is to pick a pet-friendly window covering that can stand up to even the most excitable pets. Let’s learn about some of the best (and worst) window treatments for pet owners in Texas.
Non Pet-Friendly Window Treatments
We’ll start by taking a look at what window treatments homeowners with pets shouldn’t have in the home.
Corded Window Treatments
As is the case with window safety for children, cords can be a problem for pet owners. Both dogs and cats are known to play with hanging cords, which can result in damage to your window covering or worse, injury to your pet.
Opt instead for window treatments without cords, whether they’re shutters that fit in the window frame or other window coverings that operate by a bottom-up top-down configuration or are motorized.
Aluminum Blinds
Photo courtesy Carlos Castro via Flickr (Creative Commons).
Aluminum blinds are possibly the absolute worst window treatment for homes with pets. Not only do they typically operate by cord, but they’re very susceptible to damage from even the smallest of pets. Dogs or cats peeking through aluminum blinds can warp, bend, or even snap the weak slats, resulting in you having to replace the entire set of blinds.
Fabric Window Treatments
Depending on your pet and the style of window covering, fabrics might or might not be something to stay away from. Lengthy fabrics like drapes can “puddle” on the floor, which makes them easy for dirty paws to stomp on. Fabric window coverings also frequently collect pet hair which eliminates any style value they might add. Finally, fabrics can tear, something cat owners know all too well.
Our Recommended Pet-Friendly Window Treatments
Now that we’ve seen which window coverings don’t mix well with pets, let’s take a look at the most pet-friendly window coverings.
Real Wood and Faux-Wood Blinds
All of the problems aluminum blinds have, wood and faux-wood blinds resolve for pet owners. No matter if your dog or cat likes to peek through the window, durable wood blinds can stand up to more abuse than metal blinds. Moreover, their usual wide slats make it harder for pets to get tangled in between them.
However, be sure that if you purchase wood or faux-wood blinds that you opt for ones without cords.
Plantation Shutters - A Pet Owner’s Best Window Treatment
If you’re worried at all about damage to your window treatments or injury to your pet caused by window treatments, plantation shutters might minimize those worries. Since they’re mounted directly onto the window, there aren’t any hanging cords or fabric that can cause issues. What’s more, even if your dog or cat is able to reach them, Polywood® plantation shutters are scratch resistant and sturdy so damage is hardly an issue.
Plantation shutters can help keep pets happy too. Own a pooch that wants to poke its head out the window as you head out? Shutters can make it easy without risking damage. Does your cat want a patch of sunlight to nap in? Simply adjust the louvers and let the sunbeams come through without compromising privacy.
Put simply, plantation shutters are the most ideal window covering for homeowners with pets.
