Ever wonder?
Why Are Barns Painted Red?

Well I just learned something.
And now it's time for a beer.

 

I second that motion.

 

I was actually wondering this very thing the other day as I was researching metal buildings and pole barns for the upcoming new homestead. Thanks for sharing

 

Ever wonder?
Why Are Barns Painted Red?

Here in western PA, most paint their barns green and white.
Up until now, I never wondered why barns were painted red. But I always thought a red barn was kind of weird. 😊

 

More info on the red barns:

But barns weren't originally red in fact, they weren't painted at all.
The early farmers that settled in New England didn't have much extra money to spend on paint, so most of their barns remained unpainted. By the late 1700s, farmers looking to shield their barns' wood from the elements began experimenting with ways to make their own protective paint.
A recipe consisting of skimmed milk, lime and red iron oxide created a rusty-colored mixture that became popular among farmers because it was cheap to make and lasted for years. Farmers were able to easily obtain iron oxide the compound that lends natural red clay its coppery color from soil. Linseed oil derived from flax plants was also used to seal bare wood against rotting, and it stained the wood a dark coral hue.
Farmers also noticed that painting their barns with the homemade paint kept the buildings warmer during the wintertime, since the darker color absorbs the sun's rays more than plain, tan wood. So red paint spread in popularity due to its functionality and convenience, becoming an American tradition that continues to this day.

 

More info on the red barns:

But barns weren't originally red in fact, they weren't painted at all.
The early farmers that settled in New England didn't have much extra money to spend on paint, so most of their barns remained unpainted. By the late 1700s, farmers looking to shield their barns' wood from the elements began experimenting with ways to make their own protective paint.
A recipe consisting of skimmed milk, lime and red iron oxide created a rusty-colored mixture that became popular among farmers because it was cheap to make and lasted for years. Farmers were able to easily obtain iron oxide the compound that lends natural red clay its coppery color from soil. Linseed oil derived from flax plants was also used to seal bare wood against rotting, and it stained the wood a dark coral hue.
Farmers also noticed that painting their barns with the homemade paint kept the buildings warmer during the wintertime, since the darker color absorbs the sun's rays more than plain, tan wood. So red paint spread in popularity due to its functionality and convenience, becoming an American tradition that continues to this day.

And here's the source for that in case some were wondering:

https://www.livescience.com/33195-barns-traditionally-painted-red.html

 

The barn at the top of the hollow was sided and painted black when it was built. The roof is made of semi-trailer side panels. We had red metal siding screwed over the black siding a few years ago,

Brian