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Rainmaker
681,534
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

Barns were traditionally painted red due to the accessibility and cheapness of red paint.  Farmers could create red paint out of skimmed milk, lime, red iron oxide and linseed oil to protect the wood of the barn. The linseed oil and red iron oxide gave the paint it's color.  Alexa knows all!

Sep 13, 2018 05:01 PM
Rainmaker
5,584,078
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

because rust kills fungus.... thus a red tone....now barns are traditionally painted red.... no paint in those days....

Sep 13, 2018 01:54 PM
Ambassador
2,282,775
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Like Barbara Todaro and Kasey & John Boles said.  According to Farmers Almanac:
Rust was plentiful on farms and because it killed fungi and mosses that might grow on barns, and it was very effective as a sealant. It turned the mixture red in color. When paint became more available, many people chose red paint for their barns in honor of tradition.

Sep 13, 2018 02:18 PM
Ambassador
3,408,180
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Inquiring minds want to know ... and now we know. 

Sep 14, 2018 08:03 AM
Ambassador
5,439,579
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

A barn of any other color is just not a barn!

Sep 13, 2018 07:19 PM
Rainmaker
2,227,228
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

Don't really know, but I am sure we will find out soon.

Sep 13, 2018 05:19 PM
Rainmaker
290,969
Allie Angeloni
Long Realty - Oro Valley, AZ

So they stand out when it snows, Fred Griffin?  I do not know, but will read replies below!  Hope that you had a wonderful Road Trip, too. 

Sep 13, 2018 04:25 PM
Rainmaker
809,308
Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID
Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

https://www.farmersalmanac.com/barns-painted-red-240. Now it's mostly because when people think barns they think red, traditionally. -Kasey

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

Sep 13, 2018 01:54 PM
Rainmaker
2,071,135
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

Interesting. 

Sep 14, 2018 09:08 PM
Rainmaker
1,598,552
Valeria Mola
SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
305-607-0709 SIB Realty Condos for Sale and Rent

Wow, now I know. 

Thank you.

Sep 14, 2018 09:06 PM
Rainmaker
773,553
Peter Testa
Kiwi Homes - Danbury, CT
PETER TESTA

I learned something new here today. 

Sep 14, 2018 05:09 AM
Rainer
509,499
Susie Kay
Ultra Real Estate Dallas Fort Worth - Plano, TX
North Dallas Specialist

I have no idea but I love the color red for barns!

Sep 13, 2018 08:21 PM
Ambassador
6,623,205
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Iron oxide was a cheap dye for early paints.

Sep 13, 2018 07:59 PM
Rainmaker
655,055
Buzz Mackintosh
Mackintosh REALTORS - Frederick, MD
“Experience, reliable, leadership”

I have a red barn ~ Painted it red because it looks good & it's the color my Wife wanted it to be...

Sep 13, 2018 05:43 PM
Rainmaker
4,695,388
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

I don't know why but I guess you have a theory. 

Sep 13, 2018 03:12 PM
Rainmaker
719,561
Richard Bazinet /MBA, CRS, ABR
West USA Realty - Scottsdale, AZ
Phoenix Scottsdale. Sellers, Buyers & Relocations

LOL

I was wondering why the sky is blue. Pass the joint Fred....

Sep 13, 2018 02:38 PM
Rainmaker
749,755
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

I just learned something I never knew before! 

Sep 13, 2018 02:36 PM
Rainmaker
5,142,457
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

I grew up in pennsylvania and most the barns are red becuase of the rust but armish most have white, so I wound why?

Sep 13, 2018 02:27 PM
Rainmaker
5,773,924
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Fred,

I never questioned it...

Sep 13, 2018 02:04 PM
Rainmaker
1,627,127
Gary Frimann, CRS, GRI, SRES
Eagle Ridge Realty / Signature Homes & Estates - Gilroy, CA
REALTOR and Broker, Notary

I always thought it was for the sharp contrast for the crop dusters...  

Sep 14, 2018 10:07 AM
Rainmaker
5,251,163
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

What's with the barn color questions today? No help from me... I'm a city girl... would hardly know a barn if I saw one! 

Sep 14, 2018 09:50 AM
Rainmaker
5,064,945
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

I wish we knew.

Sep 14, 2018 04:27 AM
Rainmaker
506,530
Ellen Caruso
Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty - Glen Head, NY

As an artist I’d say they are red so they contrast well in a painted picture!

Sep 13, 2018 04:32 PM
Ambassador
5,140,891
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Not sure of the reason but it seems to be a tradition.

Sep 13, 2018 02:42 PM
Rainmaker
532,737
Marie Story
Coldwell Banker - Pinecrest (Miami) - Pinecrest, FL
Broker Associate, Pinecrest (Miami) Specialist

I needed a good laugh this afternoon Fred Griffin - and you have just provided it!  

 

Sep 13, 2018 02:12 PM
Ambassador
3,208,320
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

they are painted red to honor the time they were stained with rust.

Sep 14, 2018 08:21 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,138
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

To attract the hummingbirds of course.

Sep 14, 2018 04:39 AM
Ambassador
2,545,361
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I'm glad I came here to see the answer! I just learned something new, thank you!

Sep 14, 2018 03:11 AM
Rainmaker
4,321,670
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Fred Griffin - thanks for the question, learned from the other answers.

Sep 13, 2018 10:35 PM
Rainmaker
1,713,576
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Quite a question.

Sep 13, 2018 05:42 PM
Rainmaker
8,083,687
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Traditions.

Sep 13, 2018 03:01 PM
Rainmaker
1,258,108
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

communist painters ....

Sep 13, 2018 02:29 PM
Rainmaker
564,544
Maria Sapio
Keller Williams of Central PA - Carlisle, PA
Real Estate Agent- Carlisle, PA. Mariasapio.com

Hmmm - Interesting question -

Sep 13, 2018 02:22 PM
Rainmaker
4,800,282
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

And the answer is:

https://www.farmersalmanac.com/barns-painted-red-240

Sep 14, 2018 05:59 AM
Rainmaker
5,424,246
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

And now I know! A great future trivia question!

Sep 14, 2018 05:20 AM
Rainmaker
1,424,018
Joyce M. Marsh
Luxury Home Couture - Daytona Beach, FL
Joyce Marsh Homes & Design

Interesting, I learned something new today. Thanks. 

Sep 14, 2018 04:24 AM
Rainmaker
259,417
Lesley Wilson-VanGoethem
Innovative Realty Solutions Group - Winter Springs, FL
Residential Real Estate Broker Associate

tradition?

Sep 13, 2018 05:03 PM
Rainer
448,958
J.R. Schloemer
Kentucky Select Properties - Louisville, KY

Why not?

We typically have black ones, it may help with curing burley. A few red here and there. 

Also have a bunch of cream/white & green on horse farms here as well.

Sep 13, 2018 04:36 PM
Rainmaker
1,004,318
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

I looked this one up - there are several reason it seems

Sep 13, 2018 03:14 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,423
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

It was a color that was available. 

Many barns are also white and grey

Sep 14, 2018 08:07 PM
Rainmaker
917,693
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

It was the cheapest available paint.

Sep 14, 2018 09:55 AM
Rainmaker
2,828,707
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

I want to know too. I remember them being "red" in the see dick & jane run books and just accepted it

Sep 14, 2018 06:31 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

With any other color Mail Pouch just doesn't pop!

I vote for a conspiracy of the tobacco industry, Pantone and a very futuristic marketing company in 1770.   

Sep 14, 2018 05:51 AM
Rainmaker
5,964,048
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

That is a good question.   Nice to read comments.

Sep 17, 2018 11:03 AM
Rainmaker
1,530,594
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Wow, loving the answers here!  Had no clue!  Thanks for asking this one!

Sep 16, 2018 11:31 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,227
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

No idea.

Sep 16, 2018 05:43 AM
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