The Best Window Coverings for Pet Owners in Austin
It’s an image Austin pet owners know all too well: leaving your home only to glance behind and see your pet’s face in the window as you walk away. For pet owners with certain types of window coverings, daily trips to the window might mean trouble, as pets can make for some of the worst harm to your window treatments.
So what can you do to avoid pet damage? The simplest way is to choose a pet-friendly window treatment that can stand up to even the most excitable pets. Let’s dive into some of the best (and worst) window treatments for pet owners across Texas.
Non Pet-Friendly Window Treatments
First, let’s take a look at what window treatments pet owners should avoid.
Window Treatments With Cords
As is the case with window safety for children, cords are a big issue for pet owners. Pets–especially cats–are known to play with dangling cords, which can result in damage to your window treatment or in some cases, 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 probably the worst window treatment for homes with pets. Not only do the blinds usually operate by cord, but they’re incredibly susceptible to damage from even the most well-behaved pets. Dogs or cats peeking through aluminum blinds can warp, bend, or even snap the flimsy slats, which means you’ll need to replace the whole window treatment.
Fabric Window Coverings
Fabrics may be something to avoid, depending on your pet and the style of window covering. Long fabrics like curtains can “pool” on the ground, which makes them easy for dirty paws to walk all over. Fabric window treatments also frequently collect pet hair which nullifies any fashion value they can add. Lastly, fabrics can tear, making them perfect targets for cat claws.
Our Picks for Pet-Friendly Window Treatments
Now that you’ve seen which window coverings don’t get along with pets, we’ll dive into the more pet-friendly window treatments.
Real Wood and Faux-Wood Blinds
All of the issues aluminum blinds have, wood and faux-wood blinds solve for pet owners. No matter if your pet likes to peek through the window, durable wood blinds can handle more abuse than aluminum blinds. Also, their wide slats make it more difficult for pets to get their arms or necks tangled in between them.
However, be sure that if you go with wood or faux-wood blinds that you choose ones that are cordless.
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 concerns. Since they’re mounted directly into the window frame, there aren’t any dangling cords or fabric that may cause issues. What’s more, even if your dog or cat is able to climb up, Polywood® plantation shutters are resistant to scratches and extremely sturdy so damage is rarely an issue.
Plantation shutters keep your pets happy too. Own a pooch that wants to poke its head out the window as you leave? Shutters can let it do so without risking damage. Does the kitten like to have a patch of sunlight to lounge in? You can easily tilt the louvers to let the light come through without compromising privacy.
Simply put, plantation shutters are the perfect window covering for homeowners with pets.
