Wednesday, April 11, 2012

U/Alphabe-Thursday

 Mostly UNPAINTED

Many barns in Ontario are left unpainted, and it seems like every time I post a photo of one, someone wants to know why they are left that way.  Here's why: paint does not extend the life of a barn.  In fact, a poor formulation or application of paint can accelerate a barn's demise.

 Unpainted barns #2

Bare weathered wood is hard and often outlives that which is painted.

Unpainted and pigeons flying over

I am linking to Jenny Matlock at Alphabe-Thursday HERE
at

53 comments:

  1. JillApril 11, 2012 at 6:54 AM

    LOVE these. Thanks for explaining why so many are unpainted...I never knew!

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  2. LowellApril 11, 2012 at 7:15 AM

    I didn't know that! I'd always heard that paint was a preservative. Perhaps if they'd try painting them and compare? :-)

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  3. RoanApril 11, 2012 at 7:33 AM

    Maybe my Dad knew about that because our barn wasn't painted and it was still a great barn when the new owners tore it down to build a fancy cattle barn on that spot. Cool find!

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  4. MadSnapperApril 11, 2012 at 7:58 AM

    i prefer the weathered look over the painted. did not know why they did it, but also they have to be painted over andover and the paint peels. I love that second one. charming old barn.

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  5. DarlaApril 11, 2012 at 7:59 AM

    Interesting about the paint and wood. I love the look of the weatherd barns whatever the reason.

    Darla

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  6. KathyApril 11, 2012 at 8:14 AM

    i.e., one reason weathered barnwood is in such demand.

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  7. NancyApril 11, 2012 at 8:58 AM

    I love unpainted barns and these are wonderful. Thanks for sharing the info behind painted vs unpainted. Interesting.

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  8. GattinaApril 11, 2012 at 9:07 AM

    Even unpainted they look so romantic to me !

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  9. HalcyonApril 11, 2012 at 9:25 AM

    I rather like the look of unpainted barns. They somehow fit into the landscape better. However, I didn't know there was an actual reason behind it! Thanks for teaching me something. :)

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  10. Penelope NotesApril 11, 2012 at 10:23 AM

    Interesting about the not painting of barns. We have many very old and dilapidated barns in my area. The paint peeling badly off the wood makes for great photographs but (as you say) probably does nothing to help the barns survive.

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  11. TexWisGirlApril 11, 2012 at 10:30 AM

    makes for some wonderful wood tones. :)

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  12. MalyssApril 11, 2012 at 10:50 AM

    I had read that red painting was a way to protect wood against insects?.. Anyway, naked wood makes fantastic pictures!

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  13. John @ Beans and I on the LooseApril 11, 2012 at 11:13 AM

    Did not know that about leaving the barn unpainted. So all this time its been a conspiracy of the paint manufacturers to "protect" our homes and buildings.

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  14. LowellApril 11, 2012 at 11:19 AM

    Hi EG! Re your question about the Lime Cabinet: It's a gift shop which sells a variety of things including items for the home. They also sell scarves, purses, jewelry, etc.

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  15. JudyApril 11, 2012 at 11:32 AM

    That was an interesting lesson in wood preservation. It's good because I think the unpainted barn is beautiful just the way it is.

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  16. Paul in Powell RiverApril 11, 2012 at 1:02 PM

    I certainly like the look of # 2!

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  17. Craver ViiApril 11, 2012 at 2:12 PM

    Funny now the brain works... I thought I read: "Unpainted pigeons flying over." Yes, pigeons last longer when they're unpainted too. (lol)

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  18. cieldequimperApril 11, 2012 at 2:22 PM

    I didn't know. But I do love the weathered wood!

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  19. VPApril 11, 2012 at 2:26 PM

    I can always appreciate unpainted wood, old and noble, but never the pigeons flying over it...

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  20. jabblogApril 11, 2012 at 3:15 PM

    I didn't know that - very interesting.

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  21. Melbourne Australia PhotosApril 11, 2012 at 4:22 PM

    Great photos of these barns. Perhaps a scientific experiment is called for. Pain one barn and leave one unpainted next door to see which lasts longer :-)

    PS: Yes, the most dramatic weather in Melbourne is in Summer (December-February). Winters are generally mild and unremarkable.

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  22. from my wicked ways to turning a phraseApril 11, 2012 at 4:24 PM

    I was always curious, thanks for sharing.

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  23. Tina´s PicStoryApril 11, 2012 at 4:27 PM

    great shots! not unusual in u r blog :)

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  24. Donna HeberApril 11, 2012 at 4:50 PM

    Thanks for explaining why the barns are left unpainted because I was going to ask :-) Great post for Ms. Jenny's Alphabe-Thursday.

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  25. Rocky Mountain WomanApril 11, 2012 at 4:51 PM

    Thanks for the lovely photos, and the explanation. I'm going to use it as an excuse when people ask why I don't stain my house!

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  26. ~✽Mumsy✽~April 11, 2012 at 4:55 PM

    Didn't know that! I thought that paint would protect the wood better. Beautiful photos..

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  27. SandyApril 11, 2012 at 5:10 PM

    I lived in Central Illinois for a few years and there were corn fields and barns all around our town.. most were either red or unpainted.. well you just solved my thoughts on Why are they not painted...
    thanks
    good post
    Sandy

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  28. PatApril 11, 2012 at 5:12 PM

    Many barns here in Wisconsin are also unpainted - the ones that are the classic "barn red" really stand out!

    Great photos!

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  29. NatureFootstepApril 11, 2012 at 5:22 PM

    this looks really old. :)

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  30. Lois EvensenApril 11, 2012 at 5:45 PM

    Very interesting. I've learned something new. :)

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  31. Vicki/JakeApril 11, 2012 at 7:59 PM

    NAKED BARNS! And awesome photos, I love old barns. Now I'll have a better understanding of them:)

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  32. GeorgeApril 11, 2012 at 8:05 PM

    Thanks for the explanation as to why the barns are left unpainted. I, for one, like the weathered look of the unpainted wood.

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  33. Erika April 11, 2012 at 8:41 PM

    How fascinating! I do like the look of weathered barns--they just look like they have tons of stories to tell.

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  34. BettyApril 11, 2012 at 8:48 PM

    Very interesting. I never knew that before. Very nice pictures.

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  35. AnonymousApril 11, 2012 at 9:43 PM

    That is such an interesting tidbit. You never see barns that aren't painted around here, unless they are neglected.

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  36. AnonymousApril 11, 2012 at 9:58 PM

    Nicely spotted and captured...

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  37. Gillian OlsonApril 11, 2012 at 10:34 PM

    I didn't know that, thanks.

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  38. UnknownApril 11, 2012 at 11:07 PM

    Even if the barn is not painted it's very pretty!

    Letter U

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  39. StephanieApril 11, 2012 at 11:27 PM

    I did not know that either. Love the shots though.

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  40. RandyApril 11, 2012 at 11:49 PM

    I like the touch of red in the first shot.

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  41. EllenaElizabethApril 12, 2012 at 12:55 AM

    With a title of Unpainted Barns, I just had to look at your blog. The old timber barns in Australia are unpainted too. There was just not enough time or money to be painting barns. Often multiple farm outdwellings at that. The farm I grew up on had 2 heritage barns, both unpainted. Both built in the 1880's. I loved looking at your photos, thanks for sharing.

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  42. Chrissy BrandApril 12, 2012 at 3:21 AM

    Great photos of rural life and an intersting explanation re: the non-painting.

    Chrissy from Manchester: a photo a day at Mancunian Wave

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  43. SeaThreePeeOApril 12, 2012 at 5:56 AM

    Great picture and an interesting post. Who'd have thought painting wood could excelerate it's decay.

    Herding Cats

    http://seathreepeeo.blogspot.com

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  44. LizApril 12, 2012 at 7:23 AM

    Great shots!! I love all the barns from over your side of the world.

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  45. Coloring Outside the LinesApril 12, 2012 at 8:46 AM

    Nice pics- I didn't know about the paint- that's interesting.

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  46. Susan AndersonApril 12, 2012 at 11:50 AM

    I never knew this and always thought paint was protective outdoors.

    Live and learn, eh? And they look cool. Rustic.

    =)

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  47. AnonymousApril 12, 2012 at 3:05 PM

    I didn't realize this about unpainted barns.

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  48. LmkazmierczakApril 12, 2012 at 4:34 PM

    Love all the barnstorming, I mean brainstorming comments as well as your post♫♪

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  49. RoseApril 12, 2012 at 7:58 PM

    These are wonderful!

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  50. JudieApril 12, 2012 at 8:11 PM

    Love your barn photos! I have heard that peeling paint can trap water, causing the wood to rot. This is a very interesting post!

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  51. anitamombanitaApril 13, 2012 at 9:09 PM

    These are terrific. In Chile, pretty much every barn is an unpainted barn...and I'm loving it!

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  52. PondsideApril 13, 2012 at 9:22 PM

    I miss those Ontario-style barns. In fact, the thing I miss most about Ontario is its rural life. These shots are beautiful.

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  53. JennyApril 16, 2012 at 5:48 PM

    I love Unpainted barns...

    I actually never knew that was the reason they were left Unpainted...

    These photographs are so Unique!

    Great post for the letter "U"!

    Thanks for linking.

    A+

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