What to cover high traffic steps with?

[ndemge]

My wife will be doing the daycare thing in our basement, so the steps will be super high traffic with people coming from outisde and coming downstairs.

Right now, they are just wood steps with old faded paint from 20 years ago

a burber carpet would be good to make them non-slick, but with everything getting tracked in, snow etc, don't know how long it will look worth a darn.

What other alternatives for a NON SLICK step that looks good?
thought about rough ceramic tile, but that would probably be the slickest thing out there.

or should I just put in an elevator or fire pole

[Thumper]

I like the fire pole idea myself! :-)

Jute is easy to hose down, but doesn't look so nice... and may trap allergens & dust
you could try the ole' sand in the paint trick to give an anti-slip texture to pretty much any durable paint surface (basement or garage floor paint may be your best bet)
or you could try the "Tech Stone" product - it's kinda like a roll-on stone-paint layer mostly used for non-slip outdoor steps. Looks real nice but is pricey.
(I don't like the black non-slip tape stuff you see in most commercial places as it chips up and spoiles the look)

[Thumper]

Just a thought... how about roll-on truck bed-liner... you can get it in any colour (even glow-in-the-dark!) - it's extreamly durable, non-slip, will never wear out and can be textured as much as you like!
I think the kids would get a real kick out of glowing stairs! :-) (call it an exit safety feature and ask for 10% off your insurance cost)

[ndemge]

thanks for the replys....

I think I'll look into the sand paint and bedliner options........ and glow in the dark steps sound cool!

[Dragon]

There is always astro turf. :D

[ndemge]

that's the best reply yet :) ...... and I'd probably do it too