Why are barns painted red?

The image of a red barn in a golden field of wheat is a favorite sight in eastern Washington. There are many stories about the origins of this American tradition. One tale claims that barns are red so the cows can find their way home, definitely a myth as cows are color blind.

According to the National Park Service, barns weren't originally red. Since early farmers in New England didn't have extra money for paint, their barns remained unpainted. In the late 1700s, farmers began looking for ways to protect barn wood from the elements by experimenting with ways to make a protective paint.

According to the Farmer's Almanac, many farmers would seal their barns with linseed oil, which is an orange-colored oil made from the seeds of the flax plant. To this oil, they would add a variety of things, most often skimmed milk and lime, but also ferrous oxide, or rust. Rust was plentiful on farms and because it killed fungi and mosses that might grow on barns, and it was very useful as a sealant. The Iron oxide naturally turned the mixture red in color. The coating protected the wood and kept barns warmer in the winter, making it practical and cost-effective.

By the late 19th century, manufacturers began mass production of paint using chemical pigments. Red paint was one of the least expensive to produce, thanks to iron oxide pigment, so it continued to be popular with farmers.

Today, the color of barns in Washington state can vary, often depending on how the barns are used, but red remains a popular color. According to a survey by the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, (DAHP) of the state's listed Heritage Barns identifies that nearly half of the 600 listed barns were original or are currently painted red.