The Story Behind Blue Ceilings on Porches

 In many homes across the United States, especially along the eastern seaboard, you may find porches with ceilings painted blue. While definitely adding a visual element, these painted blue ceilings have a little more meaning and history behind them than just design appeal. At Anderson & Rodgers Construction, we’re here to tell you about the story behind blue ceilings on porches.  

Repelling Haints

 
The shade of blue used on many southern ceilings is often called “haint blue”. This light blue-green color is especially popular in southern coastal cities like Charleston, SC or Savannah, GA because of the historically haunted nature of these cities. 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. While not necessarily rooted in science, there are a few possible explanations for that theory. Older blue paints were often made with lye, which is a known insect repellent, and to keep the paint looking new, a new coat had to be applied every few years, thus refreshing the insect repellent. Another theory is that the blue color mimics the color of the sky and tricks insects into not making their nest there.

 Extending Daylight Hours

 
While blue paint on a porch ceiling can’t literally extend the amount of daylight you get, it can provide that feeling. The light blue color reflects light, so your space will seem brighter even during the twilight hours. Additionally, you can use less artificial light to brighten up the space at night. This practice was really popular in the Victorian era, and you can still see the blue color used in many Victorian homes today.  

No matter what color you want to paint your porch ceiling, a porch is an excellent place to spend some time outdoors during the warmer months. At Anderson & Rodgers, we can build a custom porch addition onto your home and help you design the perfect space to entertain friends and family at your next barbecue or outdoor party. We have two convenient locations in Lexington, KY, and Cincinnati and we proudly serve the surrounding Central and Northern Kentucky areas, including Versailles, Georgetown, Richmond, and Winchester. Call us today for your next home renovation project.