deck stair handrail: bottom post attachment?

my house's side door exits to a small porch/deck and then 3 steps down to the ground.

the existing stairs are kinds rotten so I'm going to replace them.

I also want to add a railing since the existing deck doesn't have any.

the existing stairs are 36" wide. by code I guess I don't need handrails since it's only 3 steps, but I'm thinking of adding handrail on one side just for my own peace of mind.

I will use ready-made solid stringers like this http://ift.tt/1JpFuAR

they are made from 2x10 boards.

they also have notched posts like this http://ift.tt/1OwlsEf

the notch fits with the stringer.

can I attach the bottom stair post directly to the end of the stair stringer with carriage bolts?

is one 2x10 stringer going to be strong enough to support the typical side forces for a handrail?

should I double the stringer on the side of the post?

again, it's just 3 steps, the handrail is probably not going to be used that much.

submitted by throwaway9f5z
[link] [comment]

from Home Design, Improvement and Services MA http://ift.tt/1HUTobN
via http://ift.tt/1gXxmwq