If you are looking for the best window for a suncatcher, the short answer is this: pick the one that gets direct sun for the longest part of your day, and hang the piece high in it. The rest of this guide explains why, and what to expect if your home does not have a very sunny window.
Our suncatchers are printed on 3mm clear acrylic. The design goes on the frosted back, and the piece is cut to the outline of the design. Light shining through the acrylic is what makes the print glow, which is why the window matters so much.
Why the best window for a suncatcher comes down to direction
In soft, even daylight, a suncatcher looks pleasant. In direct sun, when the light comes straight in and passes through the acrylic, the colors glow far more strongly. Which way your window faces decides how often that happens.
The optional cut crystal drop makes direction matter even more. The acrylic gives you the glow of color, but the crystal drop is what throws rainbows, and it only does that in direct sun. No direct sun means no rainbows. That is simply how light and crystal behave, not a flaw in the piece.
The times below are rough guides for the United States. Your own window will differ with the season and with whatever stands outside it, such as trees, a neighbor's roof or a porch. The best test is free: watch the window through one sunny day and note when the sun arrives and when it leaves.
East, west, south and north windows, hour by hour
- East-facing: The sun reaches the window at sunrise and stays until roughly noon. Colors glow early in the day, which suits a kitchen or a breakfast nook. By early afternoon the light has moved on.
- South-facing: Usually the longest stretch of sun, from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. In winter the sun sits low, so it shines in for more of the day and reaches deeper into the room. In summer it rides higher, and a roof overhang or awning can shade the window for part of the day.
- West-facing: Direct sun arrives in the early afternoon and lasts until sunset. The light turns warm and low in the evening, so the glow shows up late in the day, often when you are home to enjoy it.
- North-facing: In most of the United States this window gets soft, even daylight and little or no direct sun. It is the weakest choice for rainbows, though it still has something to offer (more on that below).
If you are choosing between an east window and a west window, pick the one that is sunny when you are usually home. A suncatcher lights up whether or not anyone is watching, but it is more fun when you are there to see it.
How high to hang it and why height matters
Hang your suncatcher high in the window, near the top of the frame, rather than at eye level. There are three plain reasons.
- Less shade. Fences, hedges and porch roofs tend to shade the lower part of a window first. The upper part often keeps its sun longer.
- More room for rainbows. If you chose the crystal drop, its rainbows need somewhere to land. From a high spot they can reach the far wall, the ceiling and the floor, instead of being blocked by a sill, a plant or a curtain.
- Out of the way. A high piece is less likely to get bumped, brushed by curtains or grabbed by small hands and paws.
Hang it from its chain, from one point, so it can settle and face the room. Acrylic is lighter than glass and does not shatter, so a small suction hook is enough. Press the hook onto a clean window near the top, give it a gentle tug to check it holds, and only then let go. Keep the piece clear of blinds and curtains that will cover it when closed.
To clean it, use a soft cloth, dry or slightly damp, with plain water only. Glass cleaner, alcohol and abrasives can cloud acrylic and wear the print. The full details are on our hanging and care page.
What you still get in a window with no direct sun
Not every home has a sunny window, and that is fine. A suncatcher in a bright window without direct sun still gives you something worth having.
- A softer glow. In bright daylight the acrylic still lights up the print. The colors are gentler than in direct sun, but they stay clear and calm, especially on a bright overcast day.
- No rainbows. A crystal drop will hang there and catch a little daylight, but do not expect rainbows without direct sun. If your only window is a shaded one, the acrylic on its own may suit you better.
- A chance of a surprise. In summer the sun rises and sets a little farther north, so some north-facing windows catch a short slice of direct sun very early or very late in the day.
In a no-sun window, choose the brightest one you have and hang the piece high so nothing blocks the daylight.
If you are still deciding, spend one day watching your windows, then browse the full collection and pick a design whose colors you would like to see glowing in that spot.