What is English red?
English red is an earth pigment based on iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) that produces a warm, brick-like red. It is one of the oldest paint pigments and is traditionally used for painting wooden facades, fences, farmhouses, barns and shutters.
Properties
English red has several notable characteristics:
- High covering power — a thin coat covers well
- Colour fast — barely fades in sun and weather
- Stable — does not react with lime or other pigments
- Reddish-brown to deep red — depending on origin and processing
- Non-toxic — unlike lead-based red pigments
Applications
Historical
English red — also known as ox-blood, barn red or related to Scandinavian Falu red — has been used for centuries:
- Farmhouses — Twente, Drenthe and Gelderland farms with red gables and shutters
- Outbuildings — cowsheds, hay barns, hay racks
- Fences and carts — farm carts and enclosures
- Scandinavian houses — Falu rödfärg is related to English red
- Railway bridges and industrial structures — for its rust-preventive qualities
Recipe
Classic barn red paint consists of:
- Iron oxide pigment — English red
- Binder — usually linseed oil, sometimes buttermilk or flour
- Red lead or zinc white — as adhesion promoter (historically)
- Turpentine — as thinner
Modern use
Today English red is mainly used for:
- Restoration of historic farmhouses
- Folly architecture — garden houses, gazebos
- Wooden boundary fences
- Hobby and art projects
- Chalkboards (historically)
Shades
English red comes in various tints:
- Bright English red — cheerful brick colour
- Deep English red — warm dark red
- Pompeian red — variant with more yellow
- Oxide red — synthetic version, identical composition
Difference from red lead
- Red lead = lead oxide, toxic, primer
- English red = iron oxide, non-toxic, top coat
Related terms
- Pigment
- Red lead
- Linseed oil
- Prussian blue
- Earth tones
Want to learn more about construction terms? Visit our knowledge base at fredsdiyplans.com.