The Most Popular Window Treatments for Pet Owners in Fort Myers
There’s an image Fort Myers pet owners probably know too well: leaving your house only to glance back and see your pet’s face peeking through the window as you leave. For pet owners with certain window coverings, frequent trips to the window may spell disaster, as pets can make for some of the worst and lasting damage to your window treatments.
So what can you do to protect against pet damage? The simplest way is to pick a pet-friendly window covering that can stand up to even the most finicky pets. Let’s dive into some of the best (and worst) window treatments for pet owners in Florida.
Window Coverings That Aren’t Pet-Friendly
First, let’s take a look at what window treatments pet owners shouldn’t have in the home.
Window Coverings With Cords
Just like with children’s window safety, cords can be one of the biggest issues for pet owners. Dogs and cats alike are known to play with dangling cords, which can mean damage to your window treatment or worse, injury to your pet.
Look into window treatments without cords, whether they’re shutters that attach to the window frame or other window treatments that operate by a bottom-up top-down configuration or are automated.
Aluminum Blinds
Photo courtesy Carlos Castro via Flickr (Creative Commons).
Aluminum blinds are possibly the absolute worst window treatment for homes with pets. Not only do the blinds typically operate by cord, but they’re very susceptible to damage from even the most well-behaved pets. Dogs or cats poking their heads through aluminum blinds can bend, warp, and even snap the weak slats, so you’ll have to replace the entire thing.
Fabric Window Coverings
Fabrics might be something to avoid, depending on your pet and the style of window treatment. Long fabrics like drapes can “puddle” on the floor, which makes them easy for dirty paws to stomp on. Fabric window treatments also usually end up collecting pet hair which nullifies any fashion value they can add. Finally, fabrics can tear, which means trouble for cat owners.
Our Picks for Pet-Friendly Window Treatments
Now that you’ve seen which window coverings don’t get along with pets, we’ll go over some pet-friendly window treatments.
Wood and Faux-Wood Blinds
Many of the problems aluminum blinds have, wood and faux-wood blinds resolve for pet owners. No matter if your pet wants to look through the window, resilient wood blinds can stand up to more abuse than their aluminum counterparts. Plus, their usual wide slats make it more difficult for pets to get their bodies tangled in between them.
But, make sure that if you opt for wood or faux-wood blinds that you get 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 minimize those worries. Since they mount directly onto the window, there are no dangling cords or fabric that can cause trouble. What’s more, even if your pets are able to reach them, Polywood® plantation shutters are resistant to scratches and incredibly durable so damage is rarely a concern.
Plantation shutters can help keep pets happy too. Own a pooch that wants to peek out the window as you head out? Shutters can make it easy without risking damage. Does your cat want a patch of sunlight to nap in? You can easily tilt the louvers and let the sunbeams come through without giving up your privacy.
Put simply, plantation shutters are the most ideal window treatment for homes with pets.
