The Most Popular Window Coverings for Pet Owners in Phoenix
It’s a scenario Phoenix pet owners know all too well: leaving your house only to look behind and see your pet’s face in the window as you leave. For pet owners with certain window coverings, regular trips to the window may mean trouble, as dogs and cats can make for some of the worst accidental harm to your window treatments.
So what can you do to avoid pet damage? The easiest way is to pick a pet-friendly window covering that can handle even the most finicky pets. Let’s learn about some of the best (and worst) window coverings for pet owners throughout Arizona.
Window Coverings That Aren’t Pet-Friendly
First, let’s take a look at what window treatments pet owners should avoid.
Corded Window Coverings
Just like with children’s window safety, cords are a problem for pet owners. Both dogs and cats are known to play with hanging cords, which may mean damage to your window covering or in some cases, injury to your pet.
Look into window treatments without cords, such as shutters that fit in the window frame or other window coverings that operate by a top-down bottom-up configuration or are automatic.
Aluminum Blinds
Photo courtesy Carlos Castro via Flickr (Creative Commons).
Aluminum blinds might be the absolute worst window treatment for homeowners with pets. Not only do the blinds typically operate via cord, but they’re very susceptible to damage from even the most gentle animals. Dogs or cats poking their heads through aluminum blinds can warp, bend, or even snap the flimsy 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, making them easy for dirty paws to stomp on. Fabric window coverings also usually end up collecting pet hair which nullifies any fashion value they may add. Finally, fabrics can tear, making them perfect targets for cat claws.
Top Recommendations for Pet-Friendly Window Treatments
Now that we’ve seen which window treatments don’t get along with pets, let’s go over some pet-friendly window coverings.
Wood and Faux-Wood Blinds
All of the issues aluminum blinds have, wood and faux-wood blinds resolve for pet owners. Even if your pet likes to peek through the window, resilient wood blinds can stand up to more abuse than aluminum blinds. In addition, their wide slats make it less likely for pets to get tangled in between them.
However, make sure that if you opt for wood or faux-wood blinds that you opt for ones that are cordless.
Plantation Shutters - The Best Window Treatment for Pets
If you’re worried at all about damage to your window treatments or injury to your pet caused by window treatments, plantation shutters might assuage those worries. Because they’re mounted directly onto the window, there aren’t any hanging cords or fabric able to cause issues. And, even if your dog or cat is able to climb up, Polywood® plantation shutters are resistant to scratches and extremely sturdy so damage is hardly a concern.
Plantation shutters can help keep pets happy as well. Have a dog that likes to peek out the window as you head out? Shutters can make it easy without much risk of damage. Does your cat like to have a patch of sunlight to lounge in? You can easily adjust the louvers and let the sunbeams come through without losing any privacy.
Put simply, plantation shutters are the perfect window treatment for homes with pets.
