The Best Window Coverings for Pet Owners in Detroit
It’s an image pet owners in Detroit are all too familiar with: leaving your home only to glance behind and see your furry friend’s face in the window as you leave. For pet owners with certain types of window treatments, daily trips to the window may mean trouble, as dogs and cats can cause some of the worst and lasting harm to your window treatments.
So how can you avoid pet damage? The easiest way is to install a pet-friendly window covering that can stand up to even the most excitable pets. We’ve rounded up some of the best (and worst) window coverings for pet owners across Michican.
Non Pet-Friendly Window Coverings
Let’s start by taking a look at what window treatments homeowners with pets should avoid.
Corded Window Treatments
Just like with children’s window safety, cords are a problem for pet owners. Dogs and cats alike are known to play with dangling cords, which may result in damage to your window treatment or in some cases, injury to your pet.
Instead, choose a window treatment 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 automated.
Aluminum Blinds
Photo courtesy Carlos Castro via Flickr (Creative Commons).
Aluminum blinds might be the worst window treatment for pet owners. Not only do they usually operate by cord, but they’re extremely susceptible to damage from even the smallest of pets. Dogs or cats looking through aluminum blinds can bend, warp, or even snap the thin slats, which means you’ll need to replace the entire window treatment.
Fabric Window Treatments
Depending on your pet and the style of window treatment, fabrics might or might not be something to stay away from. Long fabrics like curtains can “pool” on the ground, which makes them easy for dirty paws to stomp on. Fabric window coverings also frequently collect pet hair which eliminates any fashion value they can add. Finally, fabrics can tear, making them perfect targets for cat claws.
Our Recommended Pet-Friendly Window Treatments
Now that you’ve seen which window coverings don’t get along with pets, let’s dive into the more pet-friendly window treatments.
Wood and Faux-Wood Blinds
Almost all of the issues aluminum blinds have, wood and faux-wood blinds resolve for pet owners. Even if your dog or cat wants to peek through the window, durable wood blinds can stand up to more abuse than aluminum blinds. Also, their typically wider slats make it harder for pets to get tangled in them.
But, be sure that if you choose wood or faux-wood blinds that you choose ones without cords.
Plantation Shutters - The Most Pet Friendly Window Treatment
If damage to your window treatment or injury to your pet has you concerned, plantation shutters might assuage those worries. Because they mount directly onto the window, there are no hanging cords or fabric able to cause issues. What’s more, even if your pet is able to reach them, Polywood® plantation shutters are resistant to scratches and incredibly sturdy so damage is almost never 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 let it do so without much risk of damage. Does your kitten want a patch of sunlight to nap in? Just adjust the louvers to let the light come through without giving up your privacy.
In short, plantation shutters are the perfect window covering for pet owners.
