Frequently Asked Questions

CoolSeal has been shown to meet skid safety requirements and dries to light grey matte finish, which does not cause a glare.

CoolSeal is not a paint. CoolSeal is a high-performance, water-based, asphalt emulsion sealcoat that achieves lower surface temperatures through increased solar reflectivity.

It is a water-based asphalt treatment that is applied on top of the existing asphalt pavement. It's made with asphalt, water, an emulsifying agent (soap), mineral fillers, polymers, and recycled materials. It contains no harmful chemicals and is compatible with traditional asphalt.

The Cool Pavement Pilot Program was created by the City of Phoenix Office of Sustainability, the Street Transportation Department, and Arizona State University (ASU) with the goal of improving the livability of the city by cooling down neighborhoods and reducing energy costs.

Yes, the cool pavement coating is a lighter grayish concrete color. When applied, the material dries to a matte finish. Despite being lighter in color, cool pavement does not result in glare. It also meets or exceeds skid-safety requirements.

CoolSeal is a high-performance, water-based, asphalt emulsion sealcoat designed to achieve lower surface temperatures through its lighter color and reflectivity. CoolSeal meets Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and LEED requirements of 33 percent reflectivity and can last longer than conventional sealcoats.

With this pilot program, Phoenix now has the most cool pavement in North America. Los Angeles, California is following in its footsteps, with Mayor Eric Garcetti recently kicking off the next phase of his ‘Cool Streets L.A.’ program, which will bring 200 blocks of cool pavement and nearly 2,000 new trees to eight neighborhoods across Los Angeles. CoolSeal also has a large presence in Australia, with a total of roughly two million square feet of cool pavement applied. Australia has benefited from reduced ambient temperatures and has led global efforts in going green with cool pavement.

Heat islands — typically referred to as urban heat islands (UHI) — are urban and suburban areas with significantly higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas. UHIs can impact energy use, environmental issues, and public health.

Many cities and suburbs lack abundant green spaces and trees, which naturally cool the air and ground through evapotranspiration (water absorbed through the ground and emitted as vapor), provide shade, and capture dioxide. Many building materials, such as asphalt, concrete, and dark rooftops, trap and retain heat. As cities grow vertically with tall buildings, air flow is limited and heat is kept close to the ground, causing UHI effects even at night. Densely populated and densely constructed cities also emit more waste heat from vehicles, factories, and construction, worsening the effect.

Yes. Although suburbs may grow horizontally with fewer high-rise buildings and may have more parks, these areas still have features that induce heat islands. Large parking lots, wide roads, energy-intensive businesses, large homes cooled by air conditioning, and building and roofing materials that retain heat can all contribute to heat islands.

UHIs affect air and water quality, increase peak energy demand in summer, and can lead to serious health concerns and death. Urban heat disproportionately affects vulnerable populations in dense areas, including lower-income people who do not have air conditioning, senior citizens, and unhoused people. For example, a report found that in New York City between 2010-2020, more than 100 residents died of heat stress and another 2% of deaths by natural causes were considered to be exacerbated by summer heat. Daily life impacts include higher utility bills in summer, rolling blackouts, inability for children to engage in healthy outdoor play, and difficult conditions for construction, utility, and other outdoor workers.

Urban heat islands lead to higher energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions as people and businesses increase their use of air conditioning and fans. Without carbon dioxide-absorbing vegetation, more emissions enter the atmosphere.

While CoolSeal is especially designed to achieve lower surface temperatures through its lighter color and reflectivity, our water-based formula (as opposed to the more common polymer-based surface sealants on the market) makes it durable in all climates. Once applied and fully cured, CoolSeal is effective in all environments and weather conditions. In Salt Lake City, for example, CoolSeal maintained its physical integrity, solar reflectivity, and coloring even after multiple freeze-thaw cycles and the punishments of snowplows, salt, and snow melt. This makes CoolSeal an excellent choice for regions that experience both extreme summers and winters.

An asphalt sealcoat is a protective barrier that shields asphalt from oil and gas, UV damage, water, and road salt — unavoidable elements and substances that break asphalt down, causing damage like cracks, potholes, and fading. Asphalt sealcoat prolongs the quality and life of your asphalt by blocking damaging elements and substances. It can also fill small gaps and cracks.

CoolSeal by GuardTop must be applied to asphalt pavement surfaces. CoolSeal is not formulated for concrete, composite pavement, thermoplastic, or polymeric surfaces.

Once applied and fully cured, CoolSeal is effective in all environments and weather conditions. Its physical performance, solar reflectivity, and durability can stand up to freeze-thaw cycles, as well as snow plows, salt, and snow melt.

Our special blend is designed to be resistant to cracking and wear and tear. Properly applied, a two-coat application of CoolSeal can last twice as long as conventional sealcoat and require less maintenance.

Because CoolSeal lasts longer and provides stellar protection for asphalt, property owners and communities can make the most of their asphalt investment and save money over time with fewer repairs and longer cycles between asphalt replacement.

Lower surface temperatures can benefit children and animals who are outside on warm days, as well as help vulnerable populations without air conditioning stay cooler on hot summer days. In addition, our sealcoat dries to a light gray matte finish, reducing glare and increasing visibility at night. Finally, asphalt that is kept in good repair by a strong sealcoat like CoolSeal can reduce accidents.

CoolSeal is appropriate for any climate, but should be applied during temperate days (60-105 degree Fahrenheit) with no forecasted rain for at least 48 hours for the best result.

CoolSeal by GuardTop® is a fully green alternative to conventional sealcoats, which contain polymers and contribute to urban heat islands. CoolSeal is water-based and formulated with recycled materials, free of harmful chemicals.

CoolSeal provides a more permeable surface than traditional sealants, which reduces stormwater runoff, recharges soil moisture, and helps to filter out dust, dirt, and pollutants from water supplies. Asphalt with lower surface temperature, due to CoolSeal’s cooling effects, can help lower the temperature of any remaining runoff, reducing the risk of thermal shock for aquatic life.