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
| 16x20 ft A-Frame Pavilion Plan | 12x12 ft Bandstand Gazebo Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Pavilions | Gazebos |
| Style | A-Frame | Bandstand |
| Footprint | 16x20 ft (320 sq ft) | 12x12 ft (144 sq ft) |
| Wood species | Pressure-Treated Pine | Douglas Fir |
| Roof finish | retractable canvas awning | HDPE shade cloth canopy |
| Difficulty | Advanced | Beginner |
| Build time | ~141 hrs | ~14 hrs |
| Materials cost | $11,950–$18,700 | $5,250–$8,225 |
| Footing depth | 36″ × 6 posts | 36″ × 6 posts |
| Concrete | 12 × 60-lb bags | 12 × 60-lb bags |
| Cut-list items | 7 | 6 |
| Build steps | 12 | 9 |
Cost & budget
The 16x20 ft A-Frame Pavilion Plan lands in the $11,950–$18,700 range for materials in Pressure-Treated Pine, while the 12x12 ft Bandstand Gazebo Plan runs $5,250–$8,225 in Douglas Fir. The second plan is approximately 127% more expensive at typical 2026 lumber-yard pricing — driven mostly by the choice of Pressure-Treated Pine over Douglas Fir and the difference in cubic concrete volume between 6 and 6 footings.
Labor & difficulty
At ~141 hours, the 16x20 ft A-Frame Pavilion Plan is rated Advanced. The 12x12 ft Bandstand Gazebo Plan takes ~14 hours and is rated Beginner. The labor delta is roughly 127 hours, or one extra working day on the 16x20 ft A-Frame Pavilion Plan. If you are newer to outdoor woodworking, the 12x12 ft Bandstand Gazebo Plan is the safer pick — it uses simpler joinery and fewer compound cuts.
Footprint & site fit
At 320 sq ft vs 144 sq ft, you are choosing between a full outdoor room and a generous patio cover. Allow at least 24 inches of clearance on every side for furniture and walking paths — that means the 16x20 ft A-Frame Pavilion Plan needs a clear area of approximately 20×24 ft and the 12x12 ft Bandstand Gazebo Plan needs 16×16 ft.
Material & durability
The 16x20 ft A-Frame Pavilion Plan is built from Pressure-Treated Pine, while the 12x12 ft Bandstand Gazebo Plan calls for Douglas Fir. 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, 12x12 ft Bandstand Gazebo Plan is the clear budget pick. 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 16x20 ft A-Frame Pavilion Plan page and the complete 12x12 ft Bandstand Gazebo Plan page. Both ship with full cut lists, hardware schedules, footing specs, and step-by-step build instructions.