RV roof maintenance is one of the most neglected areas of RV ownership. Understanding the best RV roof sealant for your model is critical when it’s time to patch or reseal worn or damaged roof areas. Roof sealant is just one part of overall RV roof maintenance, but it’s important.
The right sealant for your RV roof depends on the roof material. So, let’s begin with a primer on RV roof types.
Overview of Common RV Roof Types
These are the most popular roof material types, along with some advantages of each:
| Rubber (EPDM and TPO) | PVC | Fiberglass | Aluminum |
| Lightweight | More resistant to scratches, tears, and UV degradation | Less maintenance | Less maintenance |
| Easy to repair/replace (compared to others) | No streaking due to decreased dirt retention | Resistant to weather-related damage | Non-toxic and eco-friendly |
| Long lifespan (~15-30 years) | Anti-microbial to resist mold and mildew | Good lifespan (~10-20 years) | Easy to install (compared to others) |
Technician Tip: Consult your manufacturer or owner’s manual to confirm which RV roof type your unit has.
What Is the Difference Between RV Roof Coating and Sealant?
Though the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, a coating is used to seal (or reseal) an entire RV roof, while an RV roof sealant is used to reseal roof edges or patch smaller damaged or worn areas of your RV’s roof membrane.
We provide recommendations for RV roof coatings and sealants below to give you the most comprehensive selection.
Picks for the Best Sealant for RV Roofs
Our list of the best RV roof sealant products includes at least one option for each RV roof type. It also includes an RV roof coating option for the common RV roof types, giving you a solution for a DIY roof re-sealing project. If you don’t already have one, pick up a caulking gun for easy roof sealant application.
Best RV Rubber Roof Sealant: Dicor Self Leveling Lap Sealant
The Dicor family of self leveling lap sealants is our top choice for RVs with EPDM, TPO, and PVC rubber roofs. With various colors available, you can find your desired choice for resealing around roof vents, air conditioners, vent pipes, and aftermarket roof-mounted accessories.
These RV roof sealants are UV-stabilized to reduce deterioration and discoloration with prolonged sun exposure. They also use a HAPS-free (HAPS = hazardous air pollutants) formula, making them cleaner and safer to use on your RV.
Technician Tip: Whether self-leveling or non-sag, Dicor sealants are extremely consistent and last long when applied according to the instructions.
Best RV Rubber Roof Coating: Dicor Rubber Roof Coating System
If you need a solution for resealing an entire RV roof, Dicor’s rubber roof coating system works on EPDM, TPO, and PVC roof membranes. On average, an 8’ x 30’ RV roof would require four gallons for a complete reseal, as Dicor recommends applying a minimum of two coats at a coverage rate of one gallon per 125 square feet of roof surface.
Technician Tip: This multi-stage system must be applied properly, but it provides an affordable option for many roofs needing major repairs.
Best Sealant for Fiberglass RV Roof: Geocel ProFlex RV™ Sealant, Clear
We recommend this clear Geocel sealant for patching or resealing smaller areas on a fiberglass RV roof. It’s a CARB-compliant (CARB = California Air Resources Board) formula that offers better adhesion, even when damp, and improved elasticity compared to silicone sealants.
This clear formula can be painted over, making it easy to match your RV’s exterior color after completing the repair. The formula also displaces water in RV seams or joints as it’s applied, further aiding a watertight seal.
Technician Tip: Geocel goes on accurately and finishes clean. It lasts and lasts on properly prepared surfaces. It sets up quickly as well, so work in small sections.
Best Fiberglass RV Roof Coating: Dicor Fiberglass RV Roof Coating
Reseal an entire fiberglass RV roof with this one-gallon roof coating. The bright white finish is designed to improve your roof’s reflectivity, keeping the interior temperature cooler. Once dry, the flexible roof coating resists mold and mildew.
One gallon is designed to cover approximately 350 square feet of RV roof area. Dicor recommends a minimum of two coats to optimize the performance of this roof coating. The first coat must be dry before applying the second coat, and the roof will need at least 24 hours for a complete cure.
Technician Tip: Unlike rubber membranes, fiberglass must be carefully prepped and only products engineered specifically for it should be used to ensure lasting results like you get from this coating.
Best Aluminum RV Roof Sealant: AP Product Sikasil
Airstream is one of the most iconic aluminum RVs, so we went to them for an aluminum RV roof sealant recommendation. Sikasil was the answer, and I won’t argue.
This quick-curing silicone sealant comes in multiple colors and bonds to aluminum substrates without a primer. It’s used in RV production because of its long service life, enhanced adhesion, fast curing, and high early green strength.
Here are the different color options:
Technician Tip: Color alone is not Sika’s only choice. They have a broad selection of products formulated for specific applications, so be sure you have received the correct type, not just the correct color. Sealing aluminum rooftops is challenging, and inferior products may fail in as few as 30 days.
Best Aluminum RV Roof Coating: Dicor Metal Roof RV Coating
We recommend Dicor’s metal roof RV coating for resealing the entire roof of an aluminum RV. It’s an elastomeric coating that forms a rubber barrier on any metal, aluminum, steel, or previously coated RV roof. Note that you must apply Coating-Ready Cover Tape to the roof’s surface before using this metal RV roof coating.
Best Self Leveling RV Roof Sealant: Dicor Self Leveling Lap Sealant
As mentioned above, the Dicor family of products takes the top spot for best self leveling RV roof sealants. Their effectiveness, easy application, and range of available colors make them hard to beat. Here are the different color options to match your RV’s roof:
Technician Tip: Dicor sealants will work on all roofing materials. Not all sealants are formulated to bond to the harder and less porous surfaces as Dicor is, and they may require additional steps or primers to work as intended on those challenging membranes. The broader range of colors and consistencies from Dicor set them apart.
Runner Up: Alpha Systems Self Leveling Lap Sealant
Alpha Systems also makes a useful collection of self leveling lap sealants. Like the Dicor products, they’re made for horizontal applications and are designed to block air and moisture intrusion while offering excellent weather resistance.
Here are your color options:
Best Sealant for RV Roof Seams: Heng’s LiquidRoofTape
For an easy brush application, we recommend Heng’s LiquidRoofTape for resealing RV roof seams. This liquid silicone solution is strengthened by microfibers and designed for use around roof vents, skylights, air conditioners, antennas, vent caps, and other factory-equipped or aftermarket roof-mounted accessories.
Best RV Roof Sealant Tape: Quick Roof Extreme Repair Tape
Use Quick Roof Extreme Repair Tape as a non-liquid RV roof sealant. Their tape products are compatible with EPDM, TPO, PVC, metal, fiberglass, vinyl, and even wood RV roof finishes. Plus, they withstand hardening, cracking, and shrinking over time.
Here are your size and color options:
Technician Tip: When using, follow all surface prep instructions closely. Avoid feeding from the roll. Lay it out along the seam first and cut it to length. Position it atop the seam, carefully peel away the backer in short sections, and press it into place over the seam. After working to the end of the seam, work the tape tightly into the seam using a clean, dry cloth. Never allow the sticky side of the tape to fold back on itself. If this happens, do not attempt to pull it apart and reuse it, as it will fail prematurely. Simply cut out the bad section, overlap where you left off, and continue. If gaps or puckers appear, rub them down as much as possible and apply a self leveling lap sealant along that edge.
Runner Up: Dicor Seal-Tite Sealing Tape
The Seal-Tite Sealing Tape from Dicor only comes in as runner-up for the best RV roof sealant tape because Quick Roof offers a few more size and color options. This product creates a permanent seal over damaged RV roof sections but can also be used to repair sidewalls, holding tanks, and other afflicted areas.
Here are your size and color options:
Technician Tip: These offer a quick and reliable repair for seams, tears, and pin holes. With proper surface prep, all of the products can offer a permanent repair that is affordable. The handy sizes and colors offered by Quick Roof and Dicor set them apart from the others for roof and awning repairs in the field.
FAQs About RV Roof Sealants
Finding the right sealant for your RV’s roof is just the start. These commonly asked roof sealant questions will help you learn more about maintaining your RV’s roof.
How many tubes of sealant do I need for an RV roof?
On average, one 10.3-ounce tube of RV roof sealant will cover just under 25 feet of RV roof edge, calculated for a bead with a quarter-inch width and depth.
Let’s say you have a 30-foot RV roof that’s 8 feet wide, giving you a total of 76 feet of roof edge to seal. Using that same quarter-inch wide and deep bead, you’d need a minimum of four 10.3-ounce tubes of sealant to complete the job.
Technician Tip: This calculation accounts for 5% wastage, which may be conservative.
Is it OK to use Flex Seal on an RV roof?
Only use Flex Seal on an RV roof in an emergency. It can work well in areas that aren’t exposed to the sun, but the product’s lack of UV stabilization can cause it to crack and fail when used in areas that get prolonged sun exposure. Additionally, FlexSeal’s silicone products can leave behind a residue that inhibits adhesion for other products, compromising your ability to complete future repairs.
How long does RV roof sealant last?
Your RV’s roof should be inspected annually (at minimum), but the original roof sealant from the manufacturer is rated to last 10 to 20 years. Of course, that rating is dependent on proper maintenance, such as using an RV cover to minimize exposure to UV, moisture, and dirt. Realistically, most RVers need to apply roof sealant every 2-4 years, depending on the degree of preventative maintenance.
Use these additional resources to bolster your knowledge about RV roof maintenance, when it’s required, and what to look for:
Do you have a favorite RV roof sealant? Tell us your choice and why it’s your preference in the comments below.
