Help me update my front steps?

[socktapus]

Hi

I really want to spruce up the front steps of my terrace - for some reason rather than leaving them as stone, the previous owner tiled them so they're slippery as hell when wet or icy (which it a lot as I'm in the North...) What would you do?? Textured tile paint seems the best plan but I don't want it to look awful. Has anyone got or done similar?

I assume chipping them off would open an absolute can of worms and I'd never get the stone lookin nice again anyway.

Pic attached (name changed for obvious reasons...)

Honestly I'd remove the tiles, no matter how bad it looks underneath it's still likely better than those tiles.

Fill in any gaps with concrete, there's people who can make concrete look like original stonework and it's beautiful.

I just don't have the funds to fix another problem at the moment though - if it's a real mess under there I'm stuck with it looking even worse than it already does with a load of tile adhesive or concrete or whatever stuck to the stone, or even worse being even more dangerous.

Nonslip rubber mats?

Something like these? https://www.safetread.co.uk/decking-strips/anti-slip-decking-strip-step-strip-50mm?

It might look a little jarring but hopefully it will keep you safer in the wet weather.

You can buy a non slip varnish for tiles from a company called Slip Doctor for about £69.
I’m sure there are other similar products on the market. It might be a solution until you have funds to replace them.

I'd paint the steps black with anti-slip external floor paint:

Blackfriar Professional Anti-Slip Floor Paint | Durable Non Slip Coating | Rawlins Paints

Paint over the tiles with an anti slip paint as recommended above.
they will also look better if you paint the brick work around them - maybe white to match your door which will then make a nice contrast if you go for grey steps. Put a few small pot plants on in terracotta pots. It will look lovely without having to pull the tiles up.

I love this idea, thank you!!