The Right Window Coverings for Pet Owners in Bakersfield
There’s a scenario Bakersfield pet owners know all too well: leaving your home only to look behind and see your furry friend’s face in the window as you leave. For pet owners with certain window coverings, regular trips to the window might spell disaster, as dogs and cats can make for some of the worst harm to your window treatments.
So what can you do to prevent pet damage? The simplest way is to install a pet-friendly window covering that can handle even the most finicky pets. Let’s take a look at some of the best (and worst) window treatments for pet owners in California.
Window Coverings That Aren’t Pet-Friendly
Let’s start by taking a look at which window treatments pet owners should avoid.
Corded Window Coverings
Similar to window safety for children, cords are a big issue for pet owners. Pets–especially cats–are known to play with dangling cords, which might result in damage to your window treatment 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 treatments that have 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 pet owners. Not only do they typically operate via cord, but they’re very vulnerable to damage from even the most well-behaved animals. Dogs or cats looking through aluminum blinds can warp, bend, and even snap the thin slats, so you’ll have to replace the entire window treatment.
Fabric Window Coverings
Fabrics might be something to avoid, depending on your pet and the style of window treatment. Long fabrics like draperies can “pool” on the ground, which makes them easy for dirty paws to stain. Fabric window treatments also tend to collect pet hair which eliminates any aesthetic value they may add. Lastly, fabrics can tear, something cat owners know all too well.
Our Recommended Pet-Friendly Window Treatments
Now that we’ve seen which window treatments don’t mix well with pets, let’s go over some pet-friendly window treatments.
Real Wood and Faux-Wood Blinds
All of the issues aluminum blinds have, wood and faux-wood blinds resolve for pet owners. Even if your dog or cat likes to look through the window, sturdier wood blinds can handle more abuse than metal blinds. Also, their wide slats make it more difficult for pets to get their arms or necks tangled in between them.
However, make sure that if you choose wood or faux-wood blinds that you opt for ones that are cordless.
Plantation Shutters - The Most Pet Friendly Window Treatment
If you’re concerned about damage to your window treatments or injury to your pet caused by window treatments, plantation shutters might reduce those worries. Because they’re mounted directly into the window frame, there are no hanging cords or fabric that can 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 sturdy so damage is almost never a concern.
Plantation shutters keep your 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 the cat like to have a patch of sunlight to nap in? Just adjust the louvers to let the sunbeams come through without compromising privacy.
Put simply, plantation shutters are the best window treatment for pet owners.
