Exploring The History And Charm Of Red Barns: A Rustic Icon

Explore The History & Charm of Red Barns

Barns have been around for ages, becoming a staple structure to most American farms. And why not? It is a simple yet functional design that helps farmers store hay, feed, shelter livestock, and keep farm equipment and tools in it. Today, this tradition is being carried by the red metal barn.  But have you ever wondered about the origins of red barns and their significance in agricultural opportunities? Let’s see.

We’ll start with the infamous – ‘Traditional Red Barn.’ Why are they red? The color has more to do with practicality than aesthetics. During colonial times, American settlers faced extreme winters, and their barns played a crucial role as a shelter. Farmers applied a protective layer of linseed oil, skimmed milk, lime, and red iron oxide, which resulted in the red color. By including iron oxide, farmers prevent fungi & mold growth, which prolongs barns’ life. 

And that’s the long story short, why barns used to be red. However, red barns evolved over the years in design and functionality. And yet, today, they are painted red – wondering why? The color itself embodies a connection to history and charm. Metal builders give your barn a wide variety of color options. You can choose monotonous or different colors for metal roof panels, structural trim, doors & windows, wainscot, and side wall panels.

Red Metal Barns With Unique Designs

Metal barns come in various sizes, heights, and looks that fit farmers and ranchers’ specific needs & budgets.

Following are the popular red barn design:

Step Down Barn | Carolina Barn | Center Aisle Barn | Monitor Barn

Barns have a unique feature where the middle structure is raised above either side. The remaining sides have a lower roof with a tilt towards the ground. Instead of one single slope, it has two slopes. This type of prefab barn is popular and has many names, as mentioned above. It can be entirely enclosed or open from one side or both.

Clear Span Barn

Another barn design that is becoming popular is one that has no internal support columns or walls, which creates an obstruction of internal space. Farmers can design and section this type of metal red barn. The roof is supported by rafters, braces, and side columns.

A-Frame Barn

As the name suggests, there is one single A-shaped roof. The roofing panels can be horizontal or vertical. However, many metal builders recommend a vertical roofing style for a red steel barn. This type of roof has ridges perpendicular to the ground. Hence, it aids in smoothly sliding off any dust, debris, or water. Vertical roof metal barns need less cleaning and are the most durable. 

Gambrel Barn

This style of the barn provides tons of loft space to store hay or seeds or have a small living area. It is sometimes also known as Dutch colonial roofs. The top part of the roof is less steep than the lower part. It is best designed to maximize vertical space and add extra shelves or false flooring.

Pole Barn

You can find this design pretty much anywhere in the US. The old idea was to use old telephone poles to build barns. The posts were buried deep into the ground or covered by thick concrete slabs. Now, you can have everything under one roof. Here, the red steel barn can be converted into a workshop or a garage for farm vehicles.

Shed-Row Barn

These are ideal barns for keeping livestock such as cattle, poultry, and horses. This type of metal red barn is suitable for farmers or ranchers who have a limited number of animals or who are just starting off. The good news is that you can ask your metal builder for a removal end wall design. So, in the future, if you want to shelter more animals, you can remove end walls, add side walls to increase length, and finally place end walls back.

Materials Used And The Construction Process

The industry standard for the construction of a red barn design is:

• Frame: 14 gauge steel
• Panels: 24 to 26 gauge steel

For areas with extreme weather conditions or large barns, this thickness can be 12 gauge for frames and 22 gauge for panels. Note that the more steel weights, the higher the overall cost.

For the construction of a metal red barn, you first need to select a design and size, secure a permit, prepare your site, pour the foundation (generally a concrete slab, as it is the most durable), and wait for the installation team to finish their work. The simpler your barn design is, the faster it will be installed. 

Traditional Wooden Barns Vs Modern Metal Barns

Durability

While the traditional wooden barn may have that old, rustic charm appeal, it is not very durable. For instance, wood tends to soak up moisture and crack, bend, wrap, or twist, needing repair or replacement every now and then.

On the flip side, a metal barn is made using structural steel that is 25 times stronger than timber. Metal is a non-porous and dense material that can bear more load and daily wear & tear and is not affected by changing weather.

Cost Effective

The red barn design may have a high initial cost but requires low maintenance. You won’t need to worry about small insects or termites infecting your barn’s frames. Metal is also non-combustible and retains its structural integrity with time. Insurance companies know about the advantages of metal barns. That’s why they offer up to 30 to 40% off on their premium.

Energy Efficiency

With steel barns, you can install insulation, a vent system, and a reflective roof to maintain the internal temperature of the barn. This will keep animals and farm workers comfortable. Since steel can bear more load, you can install solar panels to reduce dependency on the power grid. All this will result in power saving. You can also apply for a tax credit to save energy. 

Popular Sizes Of Red Metal Barn In the US

• 40 x 40
• 40 x 60
• 60 x 80
• 60 x 120
• 80 x 160

Sturdy, Reliable, Affordable – Red Metal Barn

While red barns may seem like a quant backdrop in the countryside, they have a rich history and charm. The rustic icon dates back to a 19th-century farm, but even today, red steel barns continue to deliver functionality and durability and bring back that nostalgic appeal. So, next time you see a barn, take a minute to appreciate its charm that symbolizes rural life. 

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