Why Are Porches Painted Blue?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

The shade of blue used on many southern ceilings is often called “haint blue”. … The blue color was meant to ward off “haints” or evil spirits who might want to harm the house or the family inside. Tricking Insects. Many people argue that painting your porch ceiling blue actually

keeps insects away

.

What does a blue painted porch mean?

In

order to repel evil spirits from plantations

, porch ceilings were painted a soft blue. The color was meant to mimic water in an effort to keep any haints or spirits at bay.

Why do they paint porch ceiling blue?

According to Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams, “Simply put, many homeowners choose to paint the porch ceiling blue

because of the way it makes that space look and feel

. Blue is a calming color, so using it in an area of the house that’s intended for relaxation makes sense.

Does blue paint keep bugs away?

Does it work, and why? Lore claims the insects and birds see the blue as the sky and don’t come beneath it. According to a history of blue paint on Sherwin-Williams.com,

today’s blue paint is probably not a true deterrent for insects and birds

but it once was – back when blue paint was made with lye.

What color is haint blue?

Haint blue is

a collection of pale shades of blue-green

that are traditionally used to paint porch ceilings in the southern United States. The tradition originated with the Gullah in Georgia and South Carolina.

What does a blue porch light mean 2020?

The blue lights convey

a message of respect and solidarity for all officers and their families

, according to sheriff’s officials. … If you notice a blue light bulb lighting up someone’s porch, this is the meaning: The blue lights convey a message of respect and solidarity for all officers and their families.

Why are porch ceilings painted blue in Key West?

Blue painted porch ceilings are a common and aesthetically beautiful site to see in Key West. The idea was (and for some still is) that blue porch ceilings

act as a natural bug repellent because the porch looks like the sky and fools the bugs

who obviously won’t build their nests in the sky. …

Does painting the porch ceiling blue keep bugs away?

Unfortunately,

there is no scientific evidence that blue ceilings do in fact keep bugs away

. However, there are some personal testimonies that state they saw fewer spiders and wasps after painting their porch ceiling blue.

Why do Southern homes have blue porch ceilings?

According to the Gullah/Geechee, a blue porch ceiling

brought good luck to the home and helped to ward away evil spirits as

these lost souls are unable to cross water. A haint blue porch ceiling resembles water and prevents haints from harming the people in the house.

Does a blue porch ceilings keep birds away?

Summer days seem to last longer when afternoons are spent on the porch, and a pale blue ceiling overhead helps extend the daylight into dusk.

Blue ceilings are also said to deter birds from nesting there and insects from buzzing around

.

What colors deter mosquitoes?

Certain colors repel mosquitoes. If you don’t want to become a mosquito’s next meal, try wearing lighter, more subdued hues.

White, beige, khaki, pastel yellow

, and even soft gray are good options. And as a bonus, these colors will also keep you cooler on a warm day.

Does blue paint keep mosquitoes away?

This blue/green color or “Haint Blue” is not only calming and aesthetically pleasing, but also

it apparently helps repel bugs

. … Most modern paint formulas do not contain lime, so painting your porch ceiling blue may or may not help shoo the bugs away, but it definitely looks good and provides a relaxing “feel”.

What color attracts bugs the most?

Insects generally see 3 colors of light, Ultraviolet (UV), blue and green.

Bright white or bluish lights

(mercury vapor, white incandescent and white florescent) are the most attractive to insects. Yellowish, pinkish, or orange (sodium vapor, halogen, dichroic yellow) are the least attractive to most insects.

What is the perfect haint blue?


Sherwin-Williams Waterscape

(SW 6470) is a dynamic, perfectly soft-but-bright blue infused with hints of green. Haint blue in general can be tricky because it will depend on several factors, like the natural light on your porch, the other colors present, and the amount of greenery surrounding your house.

What is a good haint blue?

Some great haint blue paint options listed below are

Palladian Blue by Benjamin Moore

, Atmospheric by Sherwin Williams, Rainwashed by Sherwin Williams, Pool Blue by Sherwin Williams or Blue Allure by Benjamin Moore.

What does a purple porch light mean?

As such, turning purple porch lights on during this month means that you are

one with the campaign of reducing the incidences of domestic violence and that you are honoring the lives lost due to domestic violence

.

Rebecca Patel
Author
Rebecca Patel
Rebecca is a beauty and style expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. She is a licensed esthetician and has worked with top brands in the beauty industry. Rebecca is passionate about helping people feel confident and beautiful in their own skin, and she uses her expertise to create informative and helpful content that educates readers on the latest trends and techniques in the beauty world.