Southlake and Frisco have plenty of flat roofs you never see from the street: offices, retail, medical buildings, churches, and the flat sections on modern and Mediterranean homes. When those roofs are replaced, Carlisle Sure-Weld TPO is one of the systems that comes up most, and the spec decisions made at bid time decide how long the roof lasts and what the warranty actually covers.
I’m Blake Snow. I’ve been roofing for 30 years and I’m certified with Carlisle. Here’s what Southlake and Frisco owners should know about Sure-Weld TPO, straight from Carlisle’s own documents.
What Sure-Weld TPO is
Carlisle describes Sure-Weld TPO as a premium, heat-weldable, single-ply reinforced membrane for new construction and re-roofing. Per Carlisle’s current Sure-Weld specification:
- Thickness: 45, 60 or 80 mil, scrim-reinforced. The 80-mil version is Sure-Weld EXTRA.
- Colors: white, tan or gray, with special colors in 60 mil.
- Seams: sheets are overlapped and heat-welded, with a minimum 1-1/2-inch weld.
- Attachment: mechanically fastened (plates and fasteners into the deck) or fully adhered (bonded to insulation or cover board). Carlisle also makes Sure-Weld SAT, a self-adhering 60- or 80-mil version.
White TPO reflects a lot of Texas sun, and on a home or office with a flat roof over living or working space, that’s part of the appeal.
Thickness decides the warranty you can get
This is the part most quotes skip. Carlisle’s warranty table ties the warranty length to the membrane thickness:
| Warranty length | Minimum Sure-Weld thickness |
|---|---|
| 5, 10 or 15 years | 45 mil |
| 20 years | 60 mil |
| 25 or 30 years | 80 mil |
Thickness isn’t the only factor. Carlisle’s spec also limits warranties based on the rest of the assembly. A few examples from the current spec:
- Special-color 80-mil TPO is limited to warranties of up to 20 years.
- An OSB deck doesn’t qualify for a 30-year warranty.
- A recovery board installed directly over an existing roof limits the warranty to 15 years.
- Higher wind-speed coverage changes which attachment methods are allowed.
So when two bids both say “TPO,” they can be very different roofs. Ask each contractor for the membrane thickness, attachment method, insulation and cover board, and the exact Carlisle warranty the assembly qualifies for, in writing.
Hail coverage: what Carlisle actually requires
Southlake and Frisco get real hail. Carlisle’s specification lists hail as additional warranty coverage, with specific requirements:
- 1-inch hail coverage requires at least 60-mil TPO adhered to an approved cover board.
- 2-inch hail coverage requires 80-mil TPO adhered to an approved cover board.
That means a thin, mechanically fastened membrane over soft insulation is not the assembly Carlisle ties to hail coverage. The cover board (Carlisle lists several approved boards) gives the membrane a hard surface to resist bruising. No flat roof is hail-proof, but if hail is the worry, this is the spec conversation to have before you sign.
Inspection and who can install it
Carlisle’s spec says the system must be installed by a Carlisle Authorized Roofing Applicator, with no deviations from Carlisle’s specs or approved shop drawings without Carlisle’s written approval. Carlisle’s data sheets also describe an inspection by a Carlisle field service representative before a system warranty is issued. Ask for that inspection report and the warranty document at closeout, and keep them with the building records.
TPO on high-end homes
Many newer homes in Southlake, Frisco and the Dallas suburbs mix pitched roofs with flat sections behind parapets, over porches or on additions. Those flat sections leak at the details: parapet walls, scuppers, skylight curbs and stucco transitions. Our flat roofs on homes page covers those details, and our TPO roof on a pueblo-style home east of Decatur shows how we handle parapets.
One thing to know: Carlisle’s published warranty language is written for commercial projects. On a home, ask in writing what manufacturer coverage, if any, applies and what the contractor’s workmanship warranty covers. Don’t assume a commercial warranty table applies to your house.
TPO, mod-bit, coating or PVC?
TPO isn’t the answer for every flat roof. A sound, dry roof may be a candidate for a coating; heavy foot traffic may point to modified bitumen; grease or chemical exposure, like restaurant exhaust, may point to PVC. Our TPO vs. modified bitumen vs. coating guide explains how we choose. Before any recommendation, we check whether the existing insulation is wet, because wet insulation changes the whole plan.
After a hailstorm
If a storm hits your commercial or residential flat roof, get it inspected and documented before deciding anything. Hail bruising on a membrane isn’t always obvious from a walk-over, and the insulation under it matters as much as the surface. Every inspection we do comes with a free digital photo report. Our commercial hail damage claims page explains the process.
In Texas, insurance claims generally must be filed within one year from the date of loss, but check your own policy, since some differ. File only if the inspection finds real damage.
Talk to us about your flat roof
We install and repair TPO on commercial buildings and homes across DFW. See our TPO roofing and commercial roofing pages. We’re certified with GAF, CertainTeed, Owens Corning, Atlas, Johns Manville, Carlisle, Tropical, Mule-Hide and Enviroshake, and we’re A+ rated with the BBB. Request a free inspection or call (817) 733-9228.
