On Wednesday, September 12, 2012 10:09:21 PM UTC-5, David wrote:
Lived in this house 35 years. Now wife needs a handrail to get up/down

front steps. Planning on going with metal railing, 36" high.. Posts are 2x2

with a square bottom flange with four holes for bolts. The manufacturer

recommends 3/8" x 4" expansion anchors for attaching posts to the concrete

steps.



The problem: A few years ago I overlaid the steps and sidewalk with

decorative concrete "stones" which are 11 x 14 x 3 1/2" thick. Two layers.

So, the concrete steps are 7" below the surface of the stones. The stones

are held in place with construction adhesive, which has been satisfactory so

far. But definitely will not hold the stones securely enough to support a

handrail. I could use 12" long expansion anchors to penetrate to the

concrete steps but they are 3/4" diameter and I'm concerned about the "swiss

cheese" effect on the concrete. Alternately, I could use 5/8" x 10" anchors

with only 3" in the step concrete, which would probably have enough holding

power and slightly less "swiss cheese".



What are the other options for securing the posts, if any? I would be

especially interested the approach others have successfully used in a

similar situation.

It's a good suggestion and one that I considered. Two trees located adjacent to the sidwalk/steps would cause interference with any outboard railing approach.