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 covers any pre-manufactured window treatments. Notice that these standards don’t recall used treatments, but, many in San Diego have viewed the statement as a chance to change their old window treatments.

 

What Are The New Window Treatment Safety Standards?

For over 70 years, corded window treatments have been determined as one of the Top 5 Hidden Hazards In The Home by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Toddlers and infants can get tangled up in the cords, causing injury or strangulation, with one report finding that there were almost 17,000 window cord injuries during a fifteen-year period. Extra cord safety products, like cord wraps and fasteners, attempted to solve the problem, but consumers did not utilize them as manufacturers anticipated.

What Do The New Regulations Cover?

Every stock (ready-made) window covering sold in stores or online needs to now be cordless or have inaccessible cords. This includes over 80% of all window treatment products purchased in the U.S. and Canada. Custom-made coverings will not have the same restrictions; however, cords can only hang down to 40% the length of the covering and will default to a tilt rod rather than a tilt cord. These regulations only affect window treatments manufactured after December 19, 2018, and old treatments have not been recalled.

What Are Your Options For Cordless Window Treatments?

With the new standards, families are now pursuing the entire range of safer options when buying or replacing their blinds and shades. Luckily, there are different products that are cordless, such as:

• Plantation Shutters: These fashionable treatments cover the window with thick louvers and usually open by a center tilt-rod. Shutters are the sturdiest window covering option and are constructed with either natural wood or a faux wood composite that won’t warp, crack, splinter, or chip. Plantation shutters have always been cordless, so these treatments have always been known for safety.

• Barn Door Shutters: Instead of opening up via a cord or tilt rod, barn door shutters attach to a track over the window and slide horizontally. You can open your barn doors a tad to bring in some light, or open them to the edge of the track to frame your window.

• Cordless Shades and Blinds: Some corded window treatments have altered their designs to employ hidden cords that won’t hang loose. Others use motors, which manipulate coverings via remote control. Some shades open and close to their desired height by lifting the bottom bar. These coverings are available in a variety of colors, textures, and patterns, and has several semi-translucent options that offer the same ambiance of sheer draperies.
  

Let Sunburst Help You Cut The Cord On Window Treatments

If you’re looking to change out those corded window treatments with a safer treatment, your San Diego Sunburst representative can help. We will show you an array of cordless options, and we can guide you in finding one that looks great in your windows. Set up your no cost in-home consultation by calling 760-405-8887 today.