The Most Popular Window Coverings for Pet Owners in San Antonio
There’s a scenario pet owners in San Antonio probably know too well: leaving your home only to glance behind and see your furry friend’s face peeking through the window as you leave. For pet owners with certain window treatments, regular trips to the window could spell disaster, as pets can cause some of the worst damage to your window treatments.
So what can you do to prevent pet damage? The easiest way is to choose a pet-friendly window treatment that can stand up to even the most excitable pets. Here are some of the best (and worst) window coverings for pet owners across Texas.
Non Pet-Friendly Window Treatments
Let’s start by taking a look at what window treatments homeowners with pets should not choose.
Window Treatments With Cords
Just like with children’s window safety, cords can be 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.
Opt instead for window treatments without cords, such as shutters that attach to the window frame or other window coverings that feature a top-down bottom-up configuration or are automatic.
Aluminum Blinds
Photo courtesy Carlos Castro via Flickr (Creative Commons).
Aluminum blinds are probably the worst window treatment for pet owners. Not only do they typically operate via cord, but they’re very susceptible to damage from even the smallest of pets. Dogs or cats poking their heads through aluminum blinds can bend, warp, or even snap the weak slats, which means you’ll need to replace the whole window treatment.
Fabric Window Coverings
Fabrics may be something to stay away from, depending on your pet and the style of window covering. Long fabrics like drapes can “puddle” on the floor, making them easy for dirty paws to walk all over. Fabric window coverings also frequently collect pet hair which nullifies any aesthetic value they could add. Lastly, fabrics can tear, something cat owners know all too well.
Our Recommended Pet-Friendly Window Treatments
Now that you’ve seen which window treatments don’t get along with pets, we’ll go over some pet-friendly window coverings.
Wood and Faux-Wood Blinds
Almost all of the issues aluminum blinds have, wood and faux-wood blinds solve for pet owners. Even if your dog or cat likes to peek through the window, resilient wood blinds can stand up to more abuse than metal blinds. Moreover, their usual wide slats make it more difficult for pets to get their bodies tangled in between them.
But, be sure that if you opt for wood or faux-wood blinds that you get ones without cords.
Plantation Shutters - A Pet Owner’s Best Window Treatment
If you’re concerned about damage to your window treatments or injury to your pet caused by window treatments, plantation shutters might minimize those concerns. Because they’re mounted directly into the window frame, there are no dangling cords or fabric able to cause trouble. What’s more, even if your pet is able to climb up, Polywood® plantation shutters are scratch resistant and incredibly sturdy so damage is hardly a concern.
Plantation shutters can help keep pets happy too. Own a pooch that wants to poke its head out the window as you head out? Shutters can make it easy without any chance of damage. Does the cat want a patch of sunlight to nap in? You can easily adjust the louvers to let the light come through without losing any privacy.
In short, plantation shutters are the most ideal window treatment for pet owners.
