If you have narrowed your shortlist to two specific designs, this is exactly the kind of decision where a side-by-side spec view saves a weekend of second-guessing. Both plans below are complete, code-aware DIY builds, but they differ on the things that matter for a backyard project — total cost, raw labor hours, footprint, and the wood species on the cut list.
Side-by-side specs
| 14x14 ft 3-Point Triangular Shade Sail Frame Plan | 12x16 ft 5-Point Overlapping Shade Sail Frame Plan (Cypress) | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Shade Sail Frames | Shade Sail Frames |
| Style | 3-Point Triangular | 5-Point Overlapping |
| Footprint | 14x14 ft (196 sq ft) | 12x16 ft (192 sq ft) |
| Wood species | Western Red Cedar | Cypress |
| Roof finish | tensioned 320-gsm shade sail fabric | tensioned 320-gsm shade sail fabric |
| Difficulty | Beginner | Advanced |
| Build time | ~17 hrs | ~106 hrs |
| Materials cost | $2,525–$3,950 | $2,575–$4,025 |
| Footing depth | 48″ × 4 posts | 48″ × 4 posts |
| Concrete | 12 × 60-lb bags | 12 × 60-lb bags |
| Cut-list items | 4 | 4 |
| Build steps | 9 | 9 |
Cost & budget
The 14x14 ft 3-Point Triangular Shade Sail Frame Plan lands in the $2,525–$3,950 range for materials in Western Red Cedar, while the 12x16 ft 5-Point Overlapping Shade Sail Frame Plan (Cypress) runs $2,575–$4,025 in Cypress. The first plan is approximately 2% more expensive at typical 2026 lumber-yard pricing — driven mostly by the choice of Cypress over Western Red Cedar and the difference in cubic concrete volume between 4 and 4 footings.
Labor & difficulty
At ~17 hours, the 14x14 ft 3-Point Triangular Shade Sail Frame Plan is rated Beginner. The 12x16 ft 5-Point Overlapping Shade Sail Frame Plan (Cypress) takes ~106 hours and is rated Advanced. The labor delta is roughly 89 hours, or one extra working day on the 12x16 ft 5-Point Overlapping Shade Sail Frame Plan (Cypress). If you are newer to outdoor woodworking, the 14x14 ft 3-Point Triangular Shade Sail Frame Plan is the safer pick — it uses simpler joinery and fewer compound cuts.
Footprint & site fit
At 196 sq ft vs 192 sq ft, you are choosing between a generous patio cover and a generous patio cover. Allow at least 24 inches of clearance on every side for furniture and walking paths — that means the 14x14 ft 3-Point Triangular Shade Sail Frame Plan needs a clear area of approximately 18×18 ft and the 12x16 ft 5-Point Overlapping Shade Sail Frame Plan (Cypress) needs 16×20 ft.
Material & durability
The 14x14 ft 3-Point Triangular Shade Sail Frame Plan is built from Western Red Cedar, while the 12x16 ft 5-Point Overlapping Shade Sail Frame Plan (Cypress) calls for Cypress. The species choice drives the cost delta and the maintenance schedule. Pressure-treated southern yellow pine is the cheapest and most rot-tolerant for in-ground posts; western red cedar is the DIY favorite for visible parts; redwood and white oak are heritage choices that command a premium.
Verdict
For a builder weighing these two specifically, 14x14 ft 3-Point Triangular Shade Sail Frame Plan is the faster build. If both fit your budget and yard, default to the design whose style language matches the rest of your house — a Craftsman bungalow looks awkward beside a modern slatted pergola, and vice versa.
Read each plan in full before committing: the complete 14x14 ft 3-Point Triangular Shade Sail Frame Plan page and the complete 12x16 ft 5-Point Overlapping Shade Sail Frame Plan (Cypress) page. Both ship with full cut lists, hardware schedules, footing specs, and step-by-step build instructions.