We would like to have an additional left hand rail for this staircase. The problem is the pocket door at the bottom, which I am concerned does not have wood that is structural enough behind it for the rail bracket. I don't know, maybe it is....
What is normally done in these situations? Can I screw a bracket into the wood in the pocket door wall? Would a stringer board help (like a long board on top of the dryall going all the way up behind the brackets for extra support)? Or is it ok we have the railing start on the 3rd step, since we only need the right railing according to code?