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
| 16x16 ft 5-Point Overlapping Shade Sail Frame Plan | 16x16 ft Drop-Down Awning Sail Shade Sail Frame Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Shade Sail Frames | Shade Sail Frames |
| Style | 5-Point Overlapping | Drop-Down Awning Sail |
| Footprint | 16x16 ft (256 sq ft) | 16x16 ft (256 sq ft) |
| Wood species | Western Red Cedar | Western Red Cedar |
| Roof finish | tensioned 320-gsm shade sail fabric | tensioned 320-gsm shade sail fabric |
| Difficulty | Beginner | Advanced |
| Build time | ~24 hrs | ~67 hrs |
| Materials cost | $3,300–$5,150 | $3,300–$5,150 |
| 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 16x16 ft 5-Point Overlapping Shade Sail Frame Plan lands in the $3,300–$5,150 range for materials in Western Red Cedar, while the 16x16 ft Drop-Down Awning Sail Shade Sail Frame Plan runs $3,300–$5,150 in Western Red Cedar. The second plan is approximately 0% more expensive at typical 2026 lumber-yard pricing — driven mostly by the choice of Western Red Cedar over Western Red Cedar and the difference in cubic concrete volume between 4 and 4 footings.
Labor & difficulty
At ~24 hours, the 16x16 ft 5-Point Overlapping Shade Sail Frame Plan is rated Beginner. The 16x16 ft Drop-Down Awning Sail Shade Sail Frame Plan takes ~67 hours and is rated Advanced. The labor delta is roughly 43 hours, or one extra working day on the 16x16 ft Drop-Down Awning Sail Shade Sail Frame Plan. If you are newer to outdoor woodworking, the 16x16 ft 5-Point Overlapping Shade Sail Frame Plan is the safer pick — it uses simpler joinery and fewer compound cuts.
Footprint & site fit
At 256 sq ft vs 256 sq ft, you are choosing between a full outdoor room and a full outdoor room. Allow at least 24 inches of clearance on every side for furniture and walking paths — that means the 16x16 ft 5-Point Overlapping Shade Sail Frame Plan needs a clear area of approximately 20×20 ft and the 16x16 ft Drop-Down Awning Sail Shade Sail Frame Plan needs 20×20 ft.
Material & durability
The 16x16 ft 5-Point Overlapping Shade Sail Frame Plan is built from Western Red Cedar, while the 16x16 ft Drop-Down Awning Sail Shade Sail Frame Plan calls for Western Red Cedar. Both plans share the same species, so you can buy from a single lumber order if you build them in sequence — a common move for homeowners adding both a primary structure and a complementary screen or arbor.
Verdict
For a builder weighing these two specifically, 16x16 ft 5-Point Overlapping 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 16x16 ft 5-Point Overlapping Shade Sail Frame Plan page and the complete 16x16 ft Drop-Down Awning Sail Shade Sail Frame Plan page. Both ship with full cut lists, hardware schedules, footing specs, and step-by-step build instructions.