Is there a good, inexpensive alternative for carpet on outdoor steps?

O.shag
by O.shag
Carpet is good to lessen chances of slipping but keeps needing to be replaced due to fraying at edges possibly from having to shovel snow and ice off. Poor Mom tore her meniscus when her foot caught on it!
  7 answers
  • Pat Cogan-Snell Pat Cogan-Snell on Jun 06, 2017

    Roofing shingles work great and last along time

    • O.shag O.shag on Jun 06, 2017

      You mean asphalt shingles? Sometimes the snow and ice is so bad must use sharp edge of shovel to remove and I wonder if shingles would hold up?

  • Cindy Cindy on Jun 06, 2017

    Hello O shag, You could put down grip strips on the stairs. They help with slippery stairs. They come in different sizes and colors. Your local Home Improvement store can help determine how many you need. They are effective and inexpensive. Hope this helps and good luck to Mom.

    • O.shag O.shag on Jun 06, 2017

      Thanks. It's the 2nd torn meniscus she's had on top of severe arthritis. I'll have to remember to ask about grip strips next time I go. The steps are wooden and used carpeting to protect them from rot and also to prevent slipping but it's proving to present a danger itself.

  • Marlene June Haas Marlene June Haas on Jun 06, 2017

    My suggestion would be to use rubber stair mats. Use screws with large flat heads to attach them. That way, you can replace any damaged ones in the Spring without a lot of work. Carefully shovel the deepest snow off the stairs, then use a broom to remove the remaining snow.

    • O.shag O.shag on Jun 06, 2017

      That sounds interesting. Have to look into that. It's an enclosed porch where the door opens right out onto the steps and often we have to do the best we can pushing snow away to get down where we can stand and shovel.

  • Bridget Ausmus Bridget Ausmus on Jun 06, 2017

    I saw a video the other day where they used old tires and screwed cut rectangular pieces to the stairs. It was really cool and a good way to upcycle them in a creative way.

  • O.shag O.shag on Jun 06, 2017

    Hmm. I wonder how that looks?

  • Molly Cooper Molly Cooper on Jun 01, 2019

    You should buy a special carpet, I mean, the wool carpet for stairs according to my experience. I have the same on my porch, it's easy to clean and pleasant in use

    I bought my carpet last month here: https://carpet-for-stairs.com/