A Better Surface for Better Communities: TrueGrid® Comes to Ruston
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When the Ruston Housing Authority set out to improve the residential experience for the families it serves, the goal wasn’t just functional — it was thoughtful. The project team wanted surfaces that looked good, held up over time, and fit within a cohesive landscape design. That’s how TrueGrid® permeable pavers ended up underfoot at 20 homes in Ruston, Louisiana, and how a straightforward paving job became a small but meaningful example of what building with intention looks like.
QSM supplied the TrueGrid paving solution for the project, which was installed by Turner & Turner Contracting, LLC of Alexandria, Louisiana — a trusted regional contractor known for delivering high‑quality construction work across local, state, and federal projects.
The Project
The scope was clear: new paving installations at 20 residential units for the Ruston Housing Authority, with approximately 250 square feet of TrueGrid® per home. The surface design was specified by the project’s landscape architect, who was looking for something that would complement the overall aesthetic of the development rather than default to standard concrete or asphalt.
Ben Riser, who managed the installation for Turner & Turner Contracting, says the project came together without major complications. The base was prepared well in advance, and the TrueGrid® grid system and stone fill were placed at the close of the project — integrated alongside concrete paving to create a finished product that was both practical and visually distinct.
“Once the boundaries were laid, the application was easy,” Riser said.
First Impressions with TrueGrid®
For Riser and his crew, this was their first time working with TrueGrid®. That’s worth noting, because first-time experiences with a new product on a live job can go a lot of different ways. This one went smoothly.
“It was easily applied,” he said. No learning curve, no surprises. The product performed the way it was represented, and the finished TrueGrid® areas have continued to hold up well under real-world residential conditions.
That kind of straightforward performance matters — especially on housing authority work, where durability and low maintenance are non-negotiable. Riser’s assessment was distinct: “It’s nice to have a product perform as designed.”
For contractors considering TrueGrid®, his advice is direct. “I would definitely recommend it.”
Ben Riser, Turner & Turner Contracting, LLC
Why TrueGrid® Works
TrueGrid® is manufactured from 100% post-consumer recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE), making it one of the most durable and eco-conscious paving alternatives on the market. The interlocking grid system is filled with clean aggregate or grass, creating a surface that is 100% permeable — meaning stormwater absorbs through the surface rather than sheeting off it, which reduces runoff and supports natural groundwater recharge.
Unlike asphalt, which cracks, stains, and deteriorates under the Louisiana sun and seasonal rains, TrueGrid® holds its form. No potholes. No puddles. No crumbling edges. And unlike poured concrete, the modular system is fast to install and easy to work with — a meaningful advantage on multi-unit residential projects where time and budget efficiency matter.
The Ruston project wasn’t driven by stormwater compliance requirements — the architect simply wanted a surface that looked and functioned differently than conventional paving. But the permeable performance is there regardless, quietly doing its job every time it rains.
Building Communities, Not Just Projects
There’s a bigger picture here worth acknowledging. The Ruston Housing Authority exists to provide safe, decent, and affordable housing for low-income families, seniors, and persons with disabilities. When the teams building and supplying those projects make choices that prioritize quality, aesthetics, and long-term durability, the people who benefit most are the residents — families who deserve the same standard of care in their built environment as anyone else.
That’s the kind of work QSM is proud to be part of. Connecting contractors like Turner & Turner Contracting with products like TrueGrid® isn’t just a supply chain transaction. It’s about making sure the right tools end up on the right jobs, in the right communities.
Riser spoke to the relationship plainly: “They have followed through with providing products and information.” For QSM’s team — including Corey Cloninger and Dolton Jordan, who supported Turner & Turner through this project — that follow-through is the standard, not the exception.
And Turner & Turner Contracting’s commitment runs just as deep. “Turner and Turner is committed to delivering a quality product for our clients, it “was great to work with QSM and install TrueGrid®,” Riser said.
Looking Ahead
Riser sees TrueGrid® as a strong fit for residential work going forward. Given how cleanly the product integrated into this project. He says it works great alongside conventional concrete, on a multi-unit housing developments, and that its a smart application with the added benefits of permeability.
As more architects and landscape designers look for alternatives to traditional impervious surfaces, products like TrueGrid® give contractors a reliable, proven option to bring to the table. And as QSM continues to expand its footprint across the Southern United States, projects like this one in Ruston are exactly the kind of story worth telling: practical, community-minded, and built to last.
To learn more about TrueGrid permeable pavers, visit truegridpaver.com. To explore how QSM can support your next project with innovative paving and infrastructure solutions, visit theQSMgroup.com.