The Right Window Coverings for Pet Owners in Indianapolis
There’s an image pet owners in Indianapolis probably know too well: leaving your house only to glance back and see your furry friend’s face peeking through the window as you walk away. For pet owners with certain window treatments, regular trips to the window may spell disaster, as pets can cause some of the worst accidental harm to your window treatments.
So what can you do to protect against pet damage? The simplest way is to choose a pet-friendly window treatment that can handle even the most finicky pets. Let’s take a look at some of the best (and worst) window coverings for pet owners across Indiana.
Window Coverings That Aren’t Pet-Friendly
Let’s start by taking a look at what window treatments pet owners should avoid.
Window Treatments With Cords
Just like with children’s window safety, cords can be 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 treatment or in some cases, injury to your pet.
Opt instead for window treatments without cords, such as shutters that attach to the window frame or other window treatments that operate by a top-down bottom-up 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 via cord, but they’re very vulnerable to damage from even the most well-behaved pets. Dogs or cats looking through aluminum blinds can bend, warp, and even snap the flimsy slats, so you’ll have to replace the whole thing.
Fabric Window Treatments
Fabrics might be something to stay away from, depending on your pet and the style of window covering. Lengthy fabrics like curtains can “puddle” on the ground, making them easy for dirty paws to stain. Fabric window coverings also tend to collect pet hair which nullifies any aesthetic value they can add. Lastly, fabrics can tear, making them perfect targets for cat claws.
Top Recommendations for Pet-Friendly Window Treatments
Now that you’ve seen which window coverings don’t mix well with pets, we’ll go over some pet-friendly window treatments.
Real Wood and Faux-Wood Blinds
Many of the problems aluminum blinds have, wood and faux-wood blinds solve for pet owners. Even if your dog or cat likes to poke its head 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 bodies tangled in between them.
But, make sure that if you buy wood or faux-wood blinds that you go with ones without cords.
Plantation Shutters - The Most Pet Friendly Window Treatment
If injury to your pet or damage to your window treatment has you concerned, plantation shutters may assuage those concerns. Because they’re mounted directly into the window frame, there are no dangling cords or fabric that might cause trouble. What’s more, even if your dog or cat is able to reach them, Polywood® plantation shutters are resistant to scratches and incredibly durable so damage is almost never a concern.
Plantation shutters keep your pets happy too. Does your dog want to look out the window as you leave? Shutters can make it easy without risking damage. Does your kitten like to have a patch of sunlight to nap in? Just tilt the louvers to let the light come through without giving up your privacy.
Simply put, plantation shutters are the most ideal window covering for homeowners with pets.
