Hi everyone, I am having an issue and looking for some advice. We are in the middle of building an addition (20x32). In the back, we have 3 glass sliders which we want to open up to a patio. The idea is to take one step down to the patio and then another step to come off of the patio onto the grass. The sliders were about 24" from what was grade. My Contractor spread the extra dirt in the backyard and along the addition which now is at the sil which is about 10" to the bottom on the sliders. I am being told that the dirt needs to be 8" below the sil to meet code (and get a CO). This will then bring me 18" lower. How can I establish a one step down from the door and still be within code. BTW the patio we want to do in concrete for now and then latter (when we get money again), cover the concrete with a stone (ie. blue stone). Please help. Rich.

[FONT=Comic Sans MS]undefined[/FONT]I need some help here, folks. This should be real simple, but my mind has gone blank. What I'm picturing is a patio with a roof/ceiling in the Spanish style made of horizontal wooden poles, usually hand hewn, generally left natural rather than painted. Newer versions use 2"x6" horizontals with them fixed vertically. They are spaced about a foot apart to allow some sun through but also shade nicely. Often they are covered with flowering vines. In the SouthEast Coastal areas, I often see them painted white, with the horizontal pieces having the ends cut in a fluted design. I'd like to get plans to build one, but first I sorta need to know what they're called... Any help will be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks, LeeB