The Most Popular Window Coverings for Pet Owners in New Brunswick
There’s a scenario New Brunswick pet owners probably know too well: leaving your house only to glance behind and see your furry friend’s face looking at you as you leave. For pet owners with certain window treatments, regular trips to the window could spell disaster, as pets can make for some of the worst accidental harm to your window treatments.
So how do you avoid pet damage? The easiest way is to install a pet-friendly window covering that can stand up to even the most finicky pets. Let’s take a look at some of the best (and worst) window coverings for pet owners across New Jersey.
Window Coverings That Aren’t Pet-Friendly
First, let’s take a look at which window treatments pet owners shouldn’t have in the home.
Corded Window Treatments
Similar to children’s window safety, cords can be a big issue for pet owners. Both dogs and cats are known to play with hanging cords, which can mean damage to your window covering 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 top-down bottom-up configuration or are automatic.
Metal Blinds
Photo courtesy Carlos Castro via Flickr (Creative Commons).
Metal blinds are probably the worst window treatment for homes with pets. Not only do they typically operate by cord, but they’re extremely susceptible to damage from even the smallest of animals. Dogs or cats looking through aluminum blinds can bend, warp, and even snap the weak slats, which means you’ll need to replace the entire window treatment.
Fabric Window Treatments
Fabrics might be something to stay away from, depending on your pet and the type of window treatment. Long fabrics like drapes can “puddle” on the ground, making them easy for dirty paws to walk all over. Fabric window coverings also usually end up collecting pet hair which eliminates any aesthetic value they could add. Finally, fabrics can tear, something cat owners know all too well.
Our Picks 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
Most of the issues aluminum blinds have, wood and faux-wood blinds fix for pet owners. Even if your dog or cat likes to look through the window, sturdier wood blinds can stand up to more abuse than metal blinds. Moreover, their typical wide slats make it more difficult for pets to get tangled in between them.
But, be sure that if you opt for wood or faux-wood blinds that you get ones that are cordless.
Plantation Shutters - A Pet Owner’s Best Window Treatment
If damage to your window treatment or injury to your pet is a concern, plantation shutters may minimize those concerns. Because they’re mounted directly into the window frame, there are no hanging cords or fabric able to cause trouble. And, even if your dog or cat is able to climb up, Polywood® plantation shutters are scratch resistant and extremely durable so damage is almost never an issue.
Plantation shutters can help keep pets happy too. Does your dog want to peek out the window as you head out? Shutters can let it do so without any chance of damage. Does your kitten want a patch of sunlight to nap in? You can easily tilt the louvers to let the sunbeams come through without losing any privacy.
In short, plantation shutters are the most ideal window treatment for homes with pets.
