TURSTIN 18 Pieces Artificial Grass Mat 12 x 12 Inch Synthetic Grass Square Mats Indoor Outdoor Patio Flooring Fake Turf Patch Tiles Realistic Grass Rug for DIY Crafts Miniature Garden, Grass Green

Why I tried these turf tiles

I wanted a quick, flexible way to add a patch of green to a small balcony and to rig up a washable potty corner for a foster pup. I also needed a few pieces for a sports-themed centerpiece. The TURSTIN grass tiles—18 squares at 12 x 12 inches each—looked like a good, budget-friendly way to cover about 18 square feet without committing to a full roll of turf or heavy interlocking deck tiles.

After a few weeks of playing with them indoors and out, trimming, taping, rinsing, and even painting lines on a few for a party display, I’ve got a clear sense of where these shine and where they don’t.

Build and first impressions

Each tile is a 12-inch square with roughly a 1-inch pile, tufted polyethylene/polypropylene fibers on a black latex backing. The backing is perforated with drainage holes that actually do something—more on that in a minute. The tiles are lightweight, easy to handle, and they cut cleanly with a sharp utility knife and a straightedge.

Out of the bag, the color reads as a saturated “fresh lawn” green. It’s uniform and lively, not faded or bluish. The pile is soft to the touch; you can comfortably run your hand over it. Up close, you’ll see repeating tuft patterns like most budget turf, but from a few feet away it passes the eye test, especially in small installations.

There was some initial shedding. A few fibers shook loose when I first separated the tiles, and the backing left small black crumbs after cutting. A quick shake-out outdoors plus a pass with a handheld vacuum handled the loose bits.

Installation experience

These tiles don’t interlock. That’s a deliberate design choice (they’re meant to be cut, tiled, and arranged freely), but it means you need a plan to keep them from shifting.

What worked well for me:
- On concrete: outdoor double-sided rug tape around the perimeter and a strip of turf seam tape under the joints. This kept everything aligned through foot traffic and wind.
- On soil: 6-inch landscape staples at corners and along edges. The backing’s drainage holes make it easy to pin them down without tearing.
- In a crate tray for the pup: a rubbery rug pad underneath to prevent sliding, with two tiles trimmed to fit.

Seam visibility is decent if you’re careful with cuts. Because the pile leans, orienting all tiles the same direction helps hide joints. I had one tile that was a hair shy of a full 12 inches; trimming its neighbors made the grid read cleaner.

If edges arrive slightly curled, lay them flat in the sun for an hour and stack some books on the corners. The latex relaxes and sits flat afterward.

Look and feel in use

• Visual: On a balcony, two rows of tiles created a pleasing green strip that looked convincing from standing height. Indoors (bookshelf and centerpiece), it reads even better—consistent color and no muddy undertones that you sometimes see in low-cost turf.
• Texture: Soft enough for bare hands and knees. Underfoot it’s springy but not cushioned; you’re feeling the surface beneath more than any built-in padding.
• Heat: Like most synthetic turf, these get hot in direct midday sun. On a 90°F day, mine were uncomfortable on bare feet. If you’re planning a sun-exposed patio, assume sandals or shade during peak hours.

Drainage and cleaning

The perforated backing works. I hosed a test panel thoroughly and watched water move through quickly. On concrete with a slight slope, there was no puddling on the surface. On soil, it drained straight into the ground.

Cleaning is straightforward:
- For the dog area, a hose-off and a gentle scrub with dish soap took care of odors. Because the tiles are small, you can lift and rinse from both sides.
- For general dust and leaves, a stiff brush or a leaf blower works. A vacuum with the beater bar off also does fine (and pulls up any leftover backing crumbs).

I’d avoid harsh solvents and high-heat dryers; the latex backing doesn’t need either, and air-drying is fast.

Durability after a few weeks

After sun, a couple of rainstorms, and light daily foot traffic, the pile held up with minimal matting. The color stayed stable—no noticeable fading. The weak points are the same as most budget turf: edges and seams. Without tape or staples, wind will lift them. With tape, they stay put but you’re committing to semi-permanent placement.

The backing is thin compared to premium turf rolls. For temporary or decorative use, that’s a plus (easy to cut and handle). For a high-traffic patio where people drag chairs or kids push scooters, I wouldn’t expect long-term survival without significant anchoring and maybe an underlayment.

Practical use cases I tried

• Puppy potty corner: Two tiles in a plastic tray worked well. They drained fast, rinsed clean, and didn’t retain smells after soap and sun-drying. I’d put a pee pad beneath if you’re using them indoors to catch overflow and simplify cleanup.
• Balcony accent strip: With rug tape and seam tape, they stayed aligned through breezy days. Comfort is fine for casual use, but midday heat is real. Morning coffee on the “lawn”? Lovely. Midday picnic barefoot? Not so much.
• Party centerpiece: I trimmed a few tiles, taped them together underside, and painted light yard markers with fabric paint. The paint adhered without stiffening the pile badly, and the squares made a stable base for vases.

Where these tiles fit—and where they don’t

They fit:
- DIY crafts, displays, photo backdrops, and seasonal decor
- Small pet areas (especially if you want something you can lift and rinse)
- Chicken coop or cage liners that benefit from drainage and easy cleaning
- Shelf liners or planter toppers for a tidy “green” look

They don’t fit as well:
- Permanent, high-traffic patios where interlocking rigidity or thick, dense turf is a must
- Windy, exposed decks unless you’re prepared to tape, staple, or weigh them down
- Barefoot play areas in full sun without shade (heat buildup is an issue)

Tips to get the most out of them

• Orient the pile in the same direction across all tiles to minimize visible seams.
• Use outdoor rug tape on hard surfaces; landscape staples on soil.
• For larger areas, bridge seams with turf seam tape underneath for a smoother, more unified look.
• Shake out and vacuum once before installing to remove loose fibers and backing crumbs.
• Trim with a fresh utility blade against a metal straightedge; cut from the back for cleaner edges.
• Leave a small expansion gap at perimeter walls outdoors to help drainage and avoid buckling in heat.
• If using indoors, pair with a rubber rug pad to prevent creep and protect floors.

Value

You get 18 square feet of coverage in small, easy-to-handle modules. The cost per square foot is generally lower than boutique turf tiles and much lower than interlocking composite grass decking. That value shows up in the materials—lighter backing, no interlocks—but for the intended light-duty use cases, the trade-offs make sense.

The bottom line

TURSTIN’s grass tiles are a flexible, budget-friendly way to add washable green where you need it. They cut easily, drain well, clean up without fuss, and look convincingly lush in small installations. The compromises—no interlocking edges, lightweight backing, some initial shedding, and heat under strong sun—mean they’re not the right choice for a permanent, high-traffic patio. But for crafts, accent zones, pet training, and other light-duty projects, they’re surprisingly capable.

Recommendation: I recommend these tiles if you’re tackling small, modular, or temporary projects and are willing to secure the edges with tape or staples. They deliver solid visual impact and practical washability at a friendly price. If you need a long-term, heavy-use surface with built-in stability, consider interlocking turf tiles or a denser roll instead.