Ever take a long drive through the hills of farm country and wonder, “why are barns painted red?” Is it simply a fashion statement or one of the EPA guidelines?
We’re glad you asked!
In this article, we not only give you the history behind red barns and their significance, but we also look at modern barn painting trends. Ready to dive deeper into these answers? Let’s go!
Origins of Red Painted Barns
Let’s unpack the origins of red barns, starting with the very early days of barns in the New England states in the 18th century and giving an overview of “barn red.”
Why Were Barns Painted Red Back In The Day?
Just looking for a quick answer? Farmers in the 18th century searched for a cost-effective, efficient way to keep their barns from eroding due to the elements. With some trial and error, they found that a combination of linseed oil, milk, lime, and rust (iron oxide) created paint that adhered well to wood and protected against mildew and fungus. Can you guess what color it made? Yup! The brownish-red tint we all know and love came from rust. Makes sense, right?
Now, let’s dig into the backstory details because there is nothing more fascinating than a history lesson. (Do you agree?)
From the beginning, farmers wanted to ensure that their barns were preserved from the ravages of the elements. As we know, rain and snow aren’t friends to bare wooden structures, tending to leave a trail of violence (think of broken wood from mildew, moss, and extreme wind).
In the Puritan culture and mindset, painting was considered an extravagance and was profusely discouraged. Paint was not seen as a sealant or protectant, but as merely an element to change the color of your structure or home, which was not very modest.
In these groups, farmers had a hack to try to protect their barns. They attempted to track how the elements – sun, rain, snow, and wind – would be able to hit their barn, and thus avoid building their barns in “danger zones.”
Eventually, these views started to lose popularity, and farmers decided to experiment with acquiring paint for their barns. (After all, they couldn’t run to Sherwin-Williams in the next town.)
First, they used linseed oil, which has a brownish-orange tint, but unfortunately, this didn’t succeed in bringing thorough protection to their barns.
Milk and lime were added next, and wow! Now the mixture would cling to the wood substance, creating an amazing paint substance. But where was the protection?
What was the answer? Iron oxide, or rust, was the final component that protected the wood on their barns from mildew or fungus. Now, with the combination of lime, linseed oil, milk, and rust, farmers created a protective paint with the brownish-red hue that we have learned to love.
Why Was Red Paint Cheap?
Have you noticed that when you go to Sherwin Williams or Lowe’s, you pay by the size of the paint container, not according to paint color? If color were the determining factor on cost, we might all have very similar home colors. For example, if violet were five dollars cheaper per gallon compared with dusty pink, I think I’d choose violet. What about you?
Well, as we know, there wasn’t a Lowe’s in the eastern states in the 18th century. So, when farmers decided paint would be a good sealant and protectant for their barns, red wasn’t a fashion statement. It was both very accessible and affordable. Iron oxide – one of the main ingredients of their red paint at the time – was readily available in the soil of eastern states, making red paint very cheap.
Eventually, mass production of paint became a reality in the 1800s, and because of iron oxide, red paint was the cheapest option available!
Were Barns Painted With Blood?
Yikes! Kind of a scary thought, am I right? But also, I’m sure you’re still thinking, well, were barns painted with blood?! Although some theories say that the blood of recently slaughtered cattle was mixed into oil paint concoctions by wealthy farmers, there isn’t any fool-proof evidence to verify that theory. This definitely could not have been the case for less affluent farmers who relied on their livestock for dairy purposes.
When Did Barns Start Being Painted Red?
American farmers began painting their barns a reddish tint in the late 18th century. Their choice of red wasn’t a fashion statement or a trend, but a means to protect the wood of their barns from the ravages of the elements. The color red simply came through readily available ingredients, one of which was iron oxide or rust. Soon, though, farmers realized that due to the dark nature of the red paint they were making, their barns stayed warmer during the cold winter months. As the sun shone on the exterior of barns, the darker shade of the barn walls made it possible to trap in heat.
Now, by the end of the 1800s, companies started to produce paint in mass quantities, and since iron oxide/rust was readily available, red became the cheapest color on the market. As farmers looked to keep their operating costs down, red was a logical financial decision.
Today, farmers use red paint as a way to celebrate the American farming tradition of painting barns red. Or, maybe some farmers don’t think about the choice to use the color red on their barn. Regardless, who can argue against its quintessential farming look?
Yes, red barns came through means of survival for American farmers, but some say the tradition hails from Scandinavia, where red barns signaled prestige and wealth since they slightly resembled brick buildings.
History Of Red Barns
For those of you who like history, but enjoy consuming it in concise, bite-sized pieces, we’ve created a table with dates surrounding red barns…
| DATE | WHAT HAPPENED |
| Late 1700s | Farmers needed to protect their farms from the elements. They created a paint from milk, linseed oil, lime, and rust, which resulted in a reddish brown tint. |
| 1800s | By this time, paint companies had created paint in mass quantities. Because the ingredients in red paint were plentiful, red paint remained cheaper; farmers continued to use red paint. |
| Early 1920s | Major stores such as Sears, offered different colors for barn paint, including “oxide red.” Red stuck even amid a new variety of paint colors. |
| Today | Farmers may use red paint today simply because of tradition. |
Meaning Behind The Color Red
Okay, we answered the question, why are barns painted red, but what significance does the color red hold in farming tradition? Let’s get right to some answers…
What Do Red Barns Symbolize?
It can be argued that a red barn symbolizes ingenuity, resilience, warmth, and history. Want to flush out what each of those points means?
Ingenuity
Farmers are geniuses. Whether they are raising a herd of cattle or growing acres of corn, they have an intuition and wealth of common knowledge that is hard to come by. “Barn red” represents that ingenuity. Why, you may ask. Well, remember the history of how barns were first painted red in America? Farmers took the materials they had right beside them to protect the wood of their barn from the elements, and the resulting paint color was…red.
Resilience
Farmers are resilient. Weather, spending habits, government regulations, and a myriad of other contributing factors affect their businesses. And they have to adapt accordingly. The fact that barns are red demonstrates how farmers adapt to their environment and remain resilient amid obstacles.
Warmth
Farmers are genuinely warm individuals, with a down-to-earth nature (pardon the pun). The color red is a warm color, standing as a symbol of how the earth can bring us a sense of welcome and care.
History
Lastly, red barns draw attention to the vast history of farming over the past few centuries. When European farmers came to America, they saw a need: preserving their barns. Some theories suggest that Native Americans were using red paint for the interior of their buildings even before the settlers arrived, mixing animal blood in with the paint mixture!
Regardless of who first started painting barns red, the need for barns to be protected against the elements lives on to this day! While any color of paint will do for a barn, when farmers choose the color red today, it serves as a reminder of the history of red barns.
So, What Is The Significance Of Painting A Barn Red?
Back in the day, red paint was chosen for barns because it was affordable and accessible, while today red is used just by way of tradition or to keep nostalgia alive.
Does A Barn Have To Be Red?
Barns do not have to be red! But some people may argue that they do because the color red on a barn is a historically practical one. Others may say that a barn should be red because it brings a sense of nostalgia and connection to the past.
Tradition is beautiful. But today, barns are painted different colors: orange, green, grey, white, black, you-name-it. And we like to think that that’s just fine. 🙂
Cultural & Religious Traditions Around Barn Paint
If you are curious about the cultural and religious traditions behind red barns, you’re in the right place! We’ve answered a few questions concerning the choice of red barns for American farmers, including American Amish farmers. Curiosity peaked? We hope so!
Why Do Americans Have Red Barns?
Every country has traditions, and America is no different. Today, red barns are simply a way of remembering the time in America’s history when red paint was the logical choice of paint due to its affordability and accessibility.
Do Amish Paint Their Barns Red?
This is an interesting and common question. While some Amish people do paint their barns red, it isn’t the only color they choose. For example, in Lancaster, PA, most Amish farmers paint their barns white, while in other areas, Amish don’t paint their barns at all.
Like other American farmers, the Amish farmers who choose red barns may do it because of the centuries-old history and tradition of painting barns red due to practicality, affordability, and necessity.
What Color Should My Barn Be?
After reading about the rich history, culture, and tradition behind red barns, it only makes sense to overthink the color of your barn. 🙂 Should you keep tradition alive? Or should you follow modern trends?
We’re not here to tell you to paint your barn a certain color; we certainly believe everyone should have agency when it comes to the color of their barn. Obsessed with pink? Go for it!
As professional painters, we have had the honor of transforming and protecting the exterior of many barns. And the color our clients choose? They have varied extensively, from blue to red to a rustic stain. In Annville, PA, we painted a barn red, giving a nod to tradition, while the blue barn we painted in Conestoga, PA shows more personality and blends seamlessly into the sky. We also had the privilege of staining the exterior of a wedding venue barn in York, PA, and
spraying the interior of a chicken barn in Watsontown, PA with A-100 exterior acrylic white gloss paint.
Now we turn the question to you, what color should your barn be? What would make you feel happy and fulfilled?
Conclusion
Whoosh, that was a flood of information and history, wasn’t it?! Not only did we answer why barns are painted red, but we also got to dig into the ingredients – linseed oil, lime, rust, and milk – used in the first red paint made by American settlers, and the cultural reasons why red is still chosen today.
Now, if you are looking for a professional barn painter in PA, we are here to help. Fill out a quote request form and we’ll get the conversation started!
Thanks again and best of luck with your farming!
