If you are planning a suncatcher north facing window setup, you have probably read that suncatchers need sun, and your window barely gets any. That is partly true. A suncatcher will still look good in a north window, but it behaves differently than it does in a bright south window, and it helps to know how before you buy.
What a suncatcher north facing window gets, and what it does not
In most of the US, a north facing window almost never gets direct sunlight. What comes in is skylight: soft, even light from the open sky, without the sun shining straight through the glass.
That light is steady. It does not swing from bright to dim across the day, and it does not make hard shadows. Many people like it for reading or working at a desk because there is no glare.
What it does not give you is a beam. Direct sun is what sends a strong patch of colored light across a floor or wall. In a north window you will not see that patch. Expect a gentle glow, not a show.
There is one small exception. In the long days of summer, the sun rises and sets far enough to the north that some north windows catch a short bit of direct light very early or very late. If yours does, you may see a brief flash. Do not count on it.
Why a printed design still glows in even light
Our suncatchers are made from 3mm clear acrylic. The design is printed on the frosted back, then the piece is cut to the outline of the design. Light passes through the acrylic and the print, so the colors look lit from behind.
This is the part that works with any daylight. You do not need direct sun for the colors to show. Bright, even skylight behind the piece is enough to make them look clear and warm, much like holding a colored sheet up to a window.
A few things help it along:
- Hang it in the upper part of the window, where the sky light is strongest.
- Pick a design with bold, clear color and open areas. Very dark designs let less light through.
- Keep blinds and curtains open during the day. Sheer curtains are fine, heavy ones are not.
- Hang it close to the glass, so the light comes straight through the piece.
Acrylic is also lighter than glass and does not shatter, so a small suction hook is enough to hold it. Our guide to hanging and caring for a suncatcher covers the details, including how to wipe it clean with a soft cloth and plain water.
Skip the crystal drop, or accept there will be no rainbows
Some of our suncatchers come with an optional cut crystal drop that hangs below the acrylic piece. The two parts do different jobs. The acrylic gives the glow of color. The crystal drop is what throws rainbows, and only in direct sun.
In a north window, that means the crystal will mostly just hang there, catching a little light and looking nice, without casting rainbows across the room. That is not a flaw in the piece. It is simply how light works.
So you have two honest choices:
- Skip the crystal drop. You get a clean, simple piece, and you are not waiting for rainbows that will not come.
- Add the drop anyway if you like how it looks hanging below, and treat any rainbow as a rare bonus.
If rainbows are the main reason you want a suncatcher, a north window is the wrong place for it. Move it to a window that gets direct sun for part of the day.
Other windows in the same room worth a look
A room with a north window often has another window on a different wall. Before you decide where to hang, watch each window at a few times of day. Look for a patch of direct sun on the floor or wall in the morning, around noon and in the late afternoon.
Here is the general pattern in the US:
- East windows get direct sun in the morning. Good for an early riser who wants a crystal drop.
- South windows get the most direct sun across the day. The best choice for rainbows.
- West windows get direct sun in the afternoon and evening, often strong and warm.
- North windows get soft, even light. Best for glow without rainbows.
Whichever window you choose, hang the suncatcher from a chain, from one point, high in the window. If you like a matched look, you can use two pieces: one with a crystal drop in the sunny window, and one without in the north window.
Ready to look around? Browse all of our suncatchers. Every piece is made to order: 2 to 3 business days to make, then 5 to 10 business days for delivery. Shipping is free within the US, and we ship to the US only.