Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Deck Stairs

Thanks for the site. I could use some ideas. I have been renovating my deck, and the scope of the project has grown since I started. The existing deck was pretty well shot, and what I thought would be a project to replace the walking surface has turned into something more. The stair stringers on the old deck came apart on me when I demo'd the treads, so I rebuilt them. The original steps had an 8" rise each and a 9" treads. There were no risers which made them challenging to climb. When I replaced them, I kept the same rise but made the treads 10.5". This made my stairs terminate farther out onto an intermediate landing. I still have 3 foot in the direction of travel, but I am wondering about how to secure them in the middle of the landing instead of at the edge. The can of worms has caused me to obtain a permit, and so the final product will be inspected. Can I lag screw the stairs stringers to the 2X8 framing on the landing? Or do I have to notch the stringers against a framing member? Thanks. Also, my deck is about 12' off the ground, and I'd like to use aluminum ballusters. Are they any issues with trying to use these instead of 2x2's. Thanks.

Notching your stringers to a framing member fastened to your landing is a good way to secure your stairs. If you felt the need you could also lag bolt them also or use some kind of metal angle nailed to the stringer and landing. Current building code allows for a maximum of 7 3/4" rise for each step...at least where I live in the Pacific Northwest. Your inspector may have issues with your 8". Fastening aluminum balusters to a wood rail may be tricky but there are many aluminum rail systems on the market you could use. If you have an iPhone or iPod touch, check out an app called BalusterPro for calculating your baluster spacing. It's pretty slick.