Ever wonder why so many barns are painted red?
Early farmers didn’t paint their barns at all. Why waste money on paint? However, by the late 1700s, farmers began to look for a way to protect their wood barns from the elements. It was a functional need, not a decor decision.
Farmers made their own paint, usually with a mix of skimmed milk, lime, and red iron oxide earth pigments—which had a red tint. This created a plastic-like coating that hardened quickly and lasted for years. Linseed oil was subsequently added to the recipe to provide the necessary soaking quality.
Now we have a love for the “American Barn”
There is a special impact that these structures still have, even though we have modern steel and don’t need to make our own paint anymore.
Which barn is your favorite?
