On 3 Jan 2006 09:53:45 -0800, "RicodJour"
wrote:

Goedjn wrote:
Dan,
Can you elaborate on why you would not do this?
I still have the option of building stairs down to the patio, but I have to make
my decsions this week.


You should also have the option of building a free-standing patio
about 11" from the house, and bridging the gap with a 2x12, metal
grill, or deck-plate.

That's a dead cat space if there ever was one. I like the idea of the
bridge, though - I'd just make it bigger so it would work into the
design and you could landscape in the space.

Yes, if you use the short-gap method, you need to be able
to take out the bridging material to clean out the gap.
I'll admit I like the idea of a nice single-arch walking
bridge to an "island" patio, though.