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 | 10x16 ft Grill Shelter Lean-To Shelter Plan (Black Locust) | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Pavilions | Lean-To Shelters |
| Style | A-Frame | Grill Shelter |
| Footprint | 16x20 ft (320 sq ft) | 10x16 ft (160 sq ft) |
| Wood species | Pressure-Treated Pine | Black Locust |
| Roof finish | retractable canvas awning | aluminum louvered system |
| Difficulty | Advanced | Advanced |
| Build time | ~141 hrs | ~58 hrs |
| Materials cost | $11,950–$18,700 | $4,650–$7,250 |
| Footing depth | 36″ × 6 posts | 36″ × 2 posts |
| Concrete | 12 × 60-lb bags | 4 × 60-lb bags |
| Cut-list items | 7 | 5 |
| Build steps | 12 | 10 |
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 10x16 ft Grill Shelter Lean-To Shelter Plan (Black Locust) runs $4,650–$7,250 in Black Locust. The second plan is approximately 158% more expensive at typical 2026 lumber-yard pricing — driven mostly by the choice of Pressure-Treated Pine over Black Locust and the difference in cubic concrete volume between 6 and 2 footings.
Labor & difficulty
At ~141 hours, the 16x20 ft A-Frame Pavilion Plan is rated Advanced. The 10x16 ft Grill Shelter Lean-To Shelter Plan (Black Locust) takes ~58 hours and is rated Advanced. The labor delta is roughly 83 hours, or one extra working day on the 16x20 ft A-Frame Pavilion Plan. Both plans require the same skill level, so the deciding factor is footprint and aesthetics rather than your comfort with carpentry.
Footprint & site fit
At 320 sq ft vs 160 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 10x16 ft Grill Shelter Lean-To Shelter Plan (Black Locust) needs 14×20 ft.
Material & durability
The 16x20 ft A-Frame Pavilion Plan is built from Pressure-Treated Pine, while the 10x16 ft Grill Shelter Lean-To Shelter Plan (Black Locust) calls for Black Locust. 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, 10x16 ft Grill Shelter Lean-To Shelter Plan (Black Locust) 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 10x16 ft Grill Shelter Lean-To Shelter Plan (Black Locust) page. Both ship with full cut lists, hardware schedules, footing specs, and step-by-step build instructions.