When Nickel Rock, an aggregate company based in New Braunfels, built their brand-new corporate headquarters, they knew they wanted the landscaping to reflect their values. They were focused on sustainability, visual impact, and low maintenance, and they wanted a partner who could help them get there with clarity and professionalism.
That’s where we came in.
At Lone Star Turf, we don’t just install turf and walk away. We take the time to understand what our clients want from their space and then we build a plan to meet those needs in a way that’s both cost-effective and long-lasting. That approach made all the difference on this turf transformation project.
Understanding the Vision: A No-Mow, No-Hassle Landscape
Nickel Rock had just completed construction on their headquarters, and the area around the building had been framed out with curbing and hardscaping. Instead of planting traditional grass, they were looking for something that would conserve water and reduce maintenance costs year-round.
“They didn’t want to mess with grass,” our project lead Faust Pollock said during a post-project conversation. “They just wanted to go with something that was sustainable and low maintenance.”
Their team originally came to us with the idea of adding turf around the building and incorporating a putting green off the back patio near the employee kitchen. After we reviewed the site and walked through their priorities, the vision expanded to include three distinct zones, totaling about 30,000 square feet:
- A large main area surrounding the building
- A substantial putting green space for employees and clients
- A front entry section near their main gate
We worked with them to figure out which turf products made the most sense in each area. It’s not about over-engineering things or selling the most expensive materials. It’s about making the right choices based on how the turf is going to be used.
Choosing Turf the Smart Way: Matching Materials to Function
Not all artificial turf is created equal, and not every area on a property needs the same product. We always start by asking our clients what the space is for and how it’s going to be used.
For Nickel Rock, the turf surrounding the building was strictly for aesthetics. There was no foot traffic to worry about, no pets, and no need for impact resistance.
“If you don’t have heavy traffic on it,” Faust explained, “then I tend to lean more towards being as cost effective as possible.”
We presented a few economical turf types that offered the right mix of blade height, density, and color. One of the options had a thicker blade structure and a shorter pile height, which makes it easier to clean and more resistant to debris settling in. That was the winner for this area.
The putting green, on the other hand, required a completely different approach. It’s not just about looks when it comes to a putting surface. Ball roll, seam placement, and infill type all make a big difference.
“With putting greens, it’s got to be functional and aesthetically pleasing,” Faust said. “Whenever you put seams into putting greens, no matter how well you do the seam work, that’s going to disrupt the ball.”
In this case, the client had requested a large, 1,000-square-foot putting green. But based on the dimensions, we realized that the only way to achieve that size would be to run a seam right through the center. We explained the pros and cons and offered an alternative: split the space into two smaller putting greens that would perform better, avoid seam issues, and still fill the available area in a visually appealing way.
Once we laid out the dry-fit material, we handed the client a piece of chalk and invited them to help shape the design.
“Here’s a piece of sidewalk chalk,” Faust told them. “This is your play area. Let’s start designing it.”
That collaborative step may sound simple, but it gives our clients a sense of ownership. We may come in with a rudimentary draft based on what they’ve shared about the space and their preferences, but clients appreciate having a hand in the design. They can visualize the final product and help shape it before anything is permanently installed. That kind of partnership is part of what sets Lone Star Turf apart.
Saving the Client Money with Smart Material Planning
Because Nickel Rock supplies aggregate for construction, we saw an opportunity to reduce their material costs right away. Instead of ordering base material from a third-party supplier and marking it up, we asked if they’d be open to using some of their own road base on the project.
“It’s a pretty good likelihood that the person we buy the aggregate from is going to be the same person that you just sold it to,” Faust explained, “And they had a pretty big pile of it onsite already, so we were able to go ahead and start using that.”
For the large turf zones, we used a combination of their own aggregate and a finer decomposed granite base, which we sourced and layered as needed. This gave us the smooth compaction required for a long-lasting install, and it kept the budget in check.
Any time we can save our clients money without compromising the integrity of the work, we will.
Problem Solving On Site: Curbs, Weather, and Deadlines
Every project has its surprises, and this one was no different.
First, we had to deal with the existing concrete curbing around the building. In many residential installs, we’re able to stake turf directly into the sub-base using long spikes. But when you’ve got concrete on all sides, that method goes out the window.
To work around the concrete edge, we installed two-by-four bender boards along the interior edge of the curb. This gave us a secure surface to fasten the turf to without damaging the concrete or creating long-term instability.
“You can’t run the base all the way up to the edge of the concrete,” Faust said, “and even if you do, you’re not going to be able to hammer a spike through the concrete. So, we ended up lining the inside area of the concrete with these bender boards all around the curb. It made for a nice finish.”
The second challenge came from the weather. The client had a hard deadline to finish the job ahead of their grand opening, but a string of rainstorms hit mid-install. That caused delays in base prep and forced us to get creative with the schedule.
“We were still able to get the job done,” Faust explained, “But we had to go back and put some more base to even things out a bit more, just because everything kept settling after the rain, little by little.”
When rain gets into your sub-base, it can create soft spots that lead to uneven settling over time. We won’t ignore that just to hit a deadline. We’ll put in the extra labor to make sure the job is done right and still find a way to stay on schedule.
That’s exactly what happened here. We worked through the storms, stayed flexible, and delivered the project on time.
The Final Product: A Clean, Custom Landscape That Reflects the Brand
By the time we wrapped up, Nickel Rock had a polished, professional outdoor space that hit every mark on their wishlist. They got:
- A lush green landscape with zero mowing or watering
- A pair of custom putting greens that function well and add character
- A smoother-than-expected installation process
- A turf system built in part on their own materials, helping them save money and reinforce their brand
The front gate area looks great for visitors, the back patio offers a fun amenity for staff and clients, and the turf surrounding the building keeps the entire property looking sharp all year round.
This is what we love about commercial turf installations. Every project is a little different, and every client has their own vision. Our job is to bring that vision to life in a way that’s efficient, transparent, and built to last.
Ready to Talk About Turf?
If you’re working on a commercial build or upgrading an existing property, we’d be happy to walk the site with you and start the conversation. Whether you’re looking to cut down on maintenance, improve curb appeal, or add a functional feature like a putting green, we’ll guide you through every step of the process.
Let’s build something that lasts. Contact us for a free consultation and learn more in our Guide to Artificial Turf for Commercial Spaces.