Manufacturers are Cutting the Cord On Their Window Treatments

As of December 2018, all newly manufactured stock window treatments should be cordless or have small, inaccessible pull cords. Sunburst embraces these regulations, as it comes after conversations between the Window Covering Manufacturers Association and the American National Standards Institute, and includes any pre-manufactured window treatments. And while the new safety standards don’t recall old corded treatments, many in Dallas have viewed the statement as a reason to change to cord-free window treatments.

 

What Are The New Window Treatment Safety Standards?

In the past few decades, cords on window treatments have been determined as one of the Top 5 Hidden Hazards In The Home by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Children and infants can get entangled in the cords, resulting in injury or strangulation, with a report finding that there were almost 17,000 window cord injuries during a fifteen-year period. External cord safety products, such as cord wraps and wind-ups, tried to alleviate the hazard, but people did not utilize them as universally as anticipated.

What Do The Safety Regulations Cover?

Each stock (ready-made) window covering sold in stores or online should now be cordless or have inaccessible cords. This accounts for over 80% of all window covering products marketed in America and Canada. Custom-made coverings don’t have the same constraints; however, cords can only be 40% the length of the treatment and will default to a tilt rod instead of a tilt cord. These requirements are only on window coverings made after December 19, 2018, and old shades and blinds have not been recalled.

What Are Your Choices Regarding Cordless Window Treatments?

With the new safety requirements, people are now looking at various safer choices when acquiring or replacing their window treatments. Luckily, there are different choices when it comes to cordless window treatments, such as:

• Plantation Shutters: These fashionable window treatments cover the window with sturdy louvers and usually open by a center tilt-rod. Plantation Shutters are the most durable window treatment and are manufactured with either solid wood or a faux wood composite that doesn’t warp, crack, splinter, or chip. There has never been a cord on plantation shutter, so this product has always been seen as a safer option.

• Barn Door Window Coverings: Instead of opening up and down via a cord or tilt rod, barn door window treatments attach to a track over the window frame and slide horizontally. You can slide your barn doors a bit to have some light peek in, or open them all the way apart for a different look.

• Cordless Shades and Blinds: Some window treatments have altered their make-up so they can use hidden cords that shouldn’t hang loose. Some operate by motors, which manipulate coverings via remote control. Many shades are set to their needed position by lifting the bottom bar. These shades come in a multitude of colors, textures, and patterns, and has many semi-translucent fabrics that can look like of sheer draperies.
  

Let Sunburst Help You Cut The Cord On Your Window Coverings

If you need to upgrade from corded hazards with a more child-friendly treatment, your Dallas Sunburst representative is here to help. We have many cordless choices, and we can assist you in finding one for your family. Set up your free in-home consultation by calling 214-301-5066 today.