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The Best Pet-Friendly Window Treatment Styles
Tony Mers • January 24, 2020
Whether you’re bringing home a new puppy or kitten, or you want a solution for your proven chewer, it’s important to consider which window treatment options are safe—both from your pets and for your pets. Here is a guide to the best pet-friendly window treatment styles.
What to avoid
While each furry friend has different temptations, most share some major ones. Here are some window coverings to avoid and why you should avoid them.
Vinyl or aluminum
These materials are a bit less durable than pet owners need. Cats can bend and break these easily and dogs can chew right through them.
Bamboo
Bamboo looks too similar to a scratching pad for most cats to decipher between. These can be torn to shreds by a motivated kitten, or even used as a crunchy chew toy for a teething pup.
Roman shades
Some roman shades are fine for furry friends, but traditional roman shades make a perfect hiding spot for your kitty and smaller pups. You know your pet better than anyone; follow your instincts when deciding to fill your home with traditional roman shades.
Low-hanging curtains
Low-hanging curtains are tempting for an adventurous pet to climb, attack, and rip. Plus, these curtains are far too easy to get tangled up in. Forego the draping curtains—at least until you know how your furry friend fairs with them.
Our recommendations
There are some good options for even the strongest chewer or most fearless climber. Here are our recommendations for pet-friendly window treatments.
Faux or real wood
These are strong, durable, and can be slightly opened, allowing your pets to see through them to get the perfect angle on the mailman. We recommend these for mild to medium chewers, new puppies, and cats.
Roller shades
These are great for animals who love to see outside and aren’t too keen on waiting for you to get home to open the shades. Animals can easily slip behind the shades without damaging them to watch the world. These aren’t recommended for strong, motivated chewers.
Durable shutters
Shutters are the best option for those with known chewers and larger dogs. These aren’t easy to munch on and can even hold up to a cat’s claw attack. These are the most durable option for ultra-motivated pets.
Flat roman shades
These are great for cats who like to climb, because they’re difficult to scale and can be moved up and out of your feline friend’s sight. Dogs should also get along well with these shades, as they typically don’t hold much pet fur and are easily maneuvered around when closed.
Tips and tricks
When possible, opt for cordless window treatments to increase pet safety at home and prevent damage. It’s also a good idea to keep a few shades partially open during the day, so your pet can see out without needing to remove the treatment. If you like the look of curtains but want to avoid a disaster, opt for valances.
At NorthShore Window Treatments and Design, we strive to create the perfect window treatment plan for you and your furry friends. We can even make custom shades in Chicago, Milwaukee, and their surrounding areas to ensure your home has the perfect window treatment plan for you.
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People have many options when it comes to shades. You might be looking for a specific style or want to control the amount of light that comes in. No matter what you’re looking for, there are good reasons to choose woven wood shades that you may not have considered. A Natural Feel The best feature about woven wood shades is the sense of nature they bring to your home. Because NorthShore creates each blind from natural materials, there's a unique sense of earthiness in them that goes well with any décor. Having a few plants in the same room with your new shades will make the entire room brim with the comforts of the outdoors. Eco-Friendly Another reason to choose woven wood shades is their positive impact on the environment. As previously mentioned, these custom window shades come from natural materials, so they look wonderful and are good for the planet. You can rest easy in your living space knowing you're doing right by the Earth. Easy To Manage Woven wood shades are some of the most accessible shades to work with. Installing them is a breeze once you slide the headrail into the window frame. Woven wood is easy to clean with a vacuum brush, but we recommend not spraying them with cleaner, as that could warp the wood. Lots of Customization Woven wood shades come in various colors and varieties that best fit your living needs. One significant advantage is that light-blocking screens are easy to attach and remove from your new shades, giving you complete control of how much light comes through. Woven shades are the best way to go from being easy to install, benefit the planet, and offer a sense of comfort and customization that fits all needs. Here at NorthShore Window Treatments, we have all the window shades for your home. We can help you get the products you need at a price you’ll love.
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