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Hi Team, Thank you for taking the time to read my question. I can't seem to find a cost effective, slip resistant and water proof option for my patio (39s
qm).
The patio really is used as front entrance to the home. With frogs, geckos, dogs, north qld weather and the pool just opposite it is disaster waiting to happen. The previous owner laid slippery indoor cream coloured tiles.... I been looking at decking tiles (expensive and with the gaps unsuitable as impossible to keep clean and smell free), tiles ($3500 for tradie alone) and now I am looking at the SPC vinyl plank options but can see there is doubt that it is suitable... I even looked at rubber tiles and pavers. Love to hear ideas or anyone who was successful in renocating/creating a cosy effective and safe patio area.
Apologies for the wet we just been through a cyclone and I tried to keep everyone including my wolfhound cross from slipping.
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @YveB. It's brilliant to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about slippery tiled areas.
That sounds like a really tricky space, especially with North QLD weather, pets and the pool so close. Before committing to a full replacement, have you tried any anti-slip surface treatments on the existing tiles? Products like DTA Anti-Slip are designed specifically for tiled patios and outdoor areas. They chemically alter the surface of the tile to add grip without changing the appearance, so you keep the look but significantly reduce how slippery it gets. It is usually far more cost-effective than retiling or overlaying and can be a good interim or even long-term solution.
It would also be worth understanding when the tiles are most slippery. Is it mainly when they are wet from rain or pool splash, or do they feel slippery even when dry? If moisture is the main issue, improving weather protection could help a lot. You already have Bistro Blinds on one side, so extending those around the rest of the patio and enclosing it more fully could keep the tiles drier and safer underfoot, particularly during heavy rain events.
In terms of flooring alternatives, I can confirm that hybrid flooring is not suitable for exterior or semi-exposed areas like this. While it is marketed as waterproof, manufacturers generally advise against using it where water can get underneath, as trapped moisture can cause issues over time. Given everything you have described, trying an anti-slip treatment combined with better weather protection might give you the safest and most cost-effective outcome without needing a major renovation.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
Dear Mitchell, thank you so much for your detailed response which is making things so much easier to understand.
The main issue with the tiles getting so very slippery is kids, dogs and at times the rain (but the least to blame lol) getting on to the tiles and then the tile won't dry.
I am no fan of the colour of the tile as it always shows every frog dropping, feet,paws etc. As it is our front entrance it is driving me a little insane as we are on acreage.
With the paint, would it be slip resistant enough and does it wear down? I have contacted the painter who recently painted the house to see him for a quote as I am worried I mess the application up.
How do you feel about the decking tiles which are so popular at the moment? They are so very expensive but still "cheaper" than tiles.
Enclosing would be less of an option as it would get very hot and humid. I do now consider however to maybe hang another blind to roll down when it rains... least that might keep the rain from coming in from the side....
Again thank you so much for your help as it really helped me when I felt I am so very stuck. It is disappointing that the SPC is not an option afterall 
Hello @YveB
In time the DTA Anti-Slip will wear off, but it is difficult to tell how long the coating will last. In regards to the decking tiles it would be the quick solution and installation would be relatively straightforward. Hanging blinds on the open side would lessen the amount of rainwater hitting the tiles and prevent slipping. A combination of these solutions should make the tiled patio area much safer.
Eric
Mhhh good point and how to stop the pavers from crunching against the tiles....
Yes, I have as I love timber look. Though it is so very expensive up here and will have the same trouble with the gaps in between the boards.
We built this deck a couple of years back.. directly opposite to the tiled nightmare.... this is where the "front door" which really is the back and the patio is the front entrance coming from the drive way.
Good morning @EricL
Calculations have taken place hence SPC was chosen however doubts came in and with the final advice from a Mitchell, it had to be scratched again. So back to drawing board. Was hoping I missed one of the materials which can be used.
See where this will land 
Have a great day
Good morning @YveB, thanks for sticking with the discussion, you are definitely not missing anything obvious here and your frustration is completely understandable.
From everything you have described, the core issues are that the existing tiles are glazed indoor tiles with a very poor slip rating for an external space, and that the light colour shows every bit of dirt, moisture and animal traffic. In a North QLD climate with pets and a pool nearby, that combination is always going to be hard work no matter how carefully you manage water or cleaning.
If you are looking for a more permanent solution rather than another workaround, I would be leaning towards changing the surface rather than trying to improve the current tiles. One option worth discussing with a tiler is tiling over the existing tiles using a 20 mm porcelain paver rather than a full 40 to 50 mm paver on sand. Large format 20 mm pavers are designed for exterior use, have much better slip ratings, and can often be direct stuck over existing tiles provided the surface is thoroughly cleaned, lightly abraded, primed and bonded with a suitable exterior tile adhesive. This avoids timber frames, sand beds and crunching issues, and keeps the finished height much more manageable at door thresholds.
Going to a darker colour would also make a big difference day to day. Something like a bluestone or charcoal porcelain paver will hide paw prints, frog droppings and general grime far better than a cream tile, and many of these pavers already have a textured or matte finish that performs well when wet. If you wanted to go one step further, sealing the finished surface with a penetrating non-slip sealer can add extra grip without creating a coating that peels or looks patchy over time.
It is definitely a more expensive path than anti-slip treatments or clip-together tiles, but it is also the option most likely to solve the problem properly rather than just reduce it. Given this is your main entry point to the house and such a high traffic area, it may be worth the investment to get something that is safe, easier to live with and visually calmer long term.
Mitchell
