It depends on the TYPE of roof coating. Traffic-rated acrylic concrete coatings and asphalt emulsions work on paving. Elastomeric shingle coatings and rubberized roof sealants don’t.
Here’s how to tell which you have and whether it’ll work.
Which Roof Coatings Work on Paving
WORKS: Traffic-Rated Acrylic Concrete Coatings
These are designed for flat roofs AND concrete surfaces.
Products that work:
- Henry 287 Tropicool Acrylic Coating
- GAF Unisil Acrylic Coating
- Sherwin-Williams concrete/masonry coatings rated for both
Use on: Concrete patios, walkways, driveways
Why it works: Formulated for horizontal surfaces with foot traffic. Has abrasion resistance and can accept slip-resistant additives.
Cost: $80-120 per 5-gallon pail, covers 500-1000 sq ft (2 coats)
Lifespan: 2-4 years on paving
WORKS: Asphalt Emulsion Coatings
Asphalt roof coating and driveway sealer are often identical products.
Products that work:
- Black Jack All-Weather Roof Coating
- Henry 289 Asphalt Emulsion
- Latex-ite products (check label)
Use on: Asphalt driveways only
Why it works: Same substrate (asphalt), same formulation
Cost: $30-45 per 5-gallon pail
Lifespan: 2-3 years before resealing
Which Roof Coatings DON’T Work on Paving
FAILS: Elastomeric Coatings for Steep-Slope Roofs
These are designed for shingles, metal, or tile roofs with slope.
Products that fail:
- Henry 887 Tropicool (steep-slope formula)
- Rust-Oleum LeakSeal for shingles
- Liquid Rubber, Flex Seal
- Most “rubberized roof coatings”
Why it fails:
- No abrasion resistance (wears through in 2-4 weeks)
- Dangerously slippery when wet
- Peels at edges within weeks
- Not formulated for foot traffic
FAILS: White Reflective/Cool Roof Coatings
Designed for commercial flat roofs with no traffic.
Why it fails:
- Stains immediately from dirt and foot traffic
- Poor abrasion resistance
- Slippery when wet
- Not chemical resistant (oil, salt, etc.)
How to Tell If YOUR Roof Coating Will Work
Check the Label For:
✅ Good signs (will work):
- “Suitable for horizontal surfaces”
- “Traffic-rated” or “walkable”
- “For concrete decks, walkways, or patios”
- Lists both roofing AND paving applications
❌ Bad signs (won’t work):
- “For steep-slope roofs only”
- “Shingle coating”
- “Not for foot traffic”
- Only mentions roofing (no paving listed)
Quick Reference Table
| Roof Coating Type | Concrete Paving | Asphalt Paving |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic concrete (traffic-rated) | ✅ YES | ❌ No |
| Asphalt emulsion | ❌ No | ✅ YES |
| Elastomeric (for shingles) | ❌ NO | ❌ NO |
| Rubberized/Flex Seal type | ❌ NO | ❌ NO |
| White reflective | ❌ NO | ❌ NO |
How to Apply Roof Coating on Paving (If Suitable)
Surface Prep (Critical)
For concrete:
- Pressure wash (2500-3000 PSI)
- Degrease oil stains
- Etch with muriatic acid alternative or grind surface
- Rinse and dry 3-7 days completely
For asphalt:
- Clean thoroughly
- Degrease all oil spots
- Repair cracks with asphalt filler
- Dry 24-48 hours
Application
Conditions needed:
- Temperature: 50-90°F
- Humidity: Below 85%
- No rain for 24-48 hours
How to apply:
- Use 3/4″ to 1″ nap roller
- Apply 2 coats minimum
- Add anti-slip additive to final coat (1/2-1 lb per gallon)
- Wait 4-8 hours between coats
Cure time before use:
- Foot traffic: 24-72 hours
- Vehicle traffic: 7 days
Cost Comparison (200 sq ft Patio)
| Approach | Cost | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic-rated roof coating (already owned) | $0-40 materials | Works, lasts 2-4 years |
| Elastomeric shingle coating (wrong type) | $0 + $200-400 removal | Fails in weeks, must remove and start over |
| Dedicated concrete patio paint | $60-120 | Works, lasts 2-4 years, slightly better abrasion resistance |
| Epoxy garage floor coating | $120-220 | Best durability, lasts 5-10 years |
Real-World Results
Scenario 1: Acrylic concrete coating on concrete patio
- Proper prep done
- Result: Works well for 2-4 years, comparable to dedicated patio paint
- Savings: $40-80 if using leftover product
Scenario 2: Asphalt emulsion on asphalt driveway
- Result: Works perfectly, essentially same product as driveway sealer
- Savings: None (same price as dedicated sealer)
Scenario 3: Elastomeric shingle coating on concrete walkway
- Result: Peeling within 2-3 weeks, slippery when wet, complete failure
- Cost: $200-500 removal + proper product = expensive mistake
When to Use Roof Coating vs. Paving Products
Use roof coating when:
- You already own traffic-rated acrylic concrete or asphalt emulsion
- Label confirms it’s suitable for paving
- You’ll do proper surface prep
- Light foot traffic only
Use dedicated paving products when:
- Buying new (similar cost, better performance)
- High-traffic or vehicle areas
- Your roof coating isn’t traffic-rated
- You want maximum durability
Never use roof coating when:
- It’s elastomeric for shingles
- Label says “not for foot traffic”
- It’s white/reflective coating
- You can’t verify it’s traffic-rated
Bottom Line
Some roof coatings work on paving, most don’t. Traffic-rated acrylic concrete coatings work on concrete. Asphalt emulsions work on asphalt driveways. Elastomeric shingle coatings fail completely—they peel, wear through quickly, and create dangerous slip hazards.
Check your product label. If it says “traffic-rated” or lists paving applications, it’ll work with proper prep. If it only mentions roofing or says “not for foot traffic,” don’t use it.
Proper prep matters more than product choice. Clean, degrease, etch (for concrete), and dry completely. Add anti-slip additive for safety. Allow full cure time before use.
Cost savings are minimal ($40-80) when using leftover suitable roof coating vs. buying dedicated paving products. If you’re buying new, get paving-specific products—similar price, equal or better performance.