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 | 3x6 ft Japanese Torii Arbor Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Pavilions | Arbors |
| Style | A-Frame | Japanese Torii |
| Footprint | 16x20 ft (320 sq ft) | 3x6 ft (18 sq ft) |
| Wood species | Pressure-Treated Pine | Western Red Cedar |
| Roof finish | retractable canvas awning | corrugated polycarbonate panels |
| Difficulty | Advanced | Beginner |
| Build time | ~141 hrs | ~15 hrs |
| Materials cost | $11,950–$18,700 | $300–$475 |
| 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 | 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 3x6 ft Japanese Torii Arbor Plan runs $300–$475 in Western Red Cedar. The second plan is approximately 3887% more expensive at typical 2026 lumber-yard pricing — driven mostly by the choice of Pressure-Treated Pine over Western Red Cedar 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 3x6 ft Japanese Torii Arbor Plan takes ~15 hours and is rated Beginner. The labor delta is roughly 126 hours, or one extra working day on the 16x20 ft A-Frame Pavilion Plan. If you are newer to outdoor woodworking, the 3x6 ft Japanese Torii Arbor Plan is the safer pick — it uses simpler joinery and fewer compound cuts.
Footprint & site fit
At 320 sq ft vs 18 sq ft, you are choosing between a full outdoor room and a focal-point garden structure. 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 3x6 ft Japanese Torii Arbor Plan needs 7×10 ft.
Material & durability
The 16x20 ft A-Frame Pavilion Plan is built from Pressure-Treated Pine, while the 3x6 ft Japanese Torii Arbor Plan calls for Western Red Cedar. 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, 3x6 ft Japanese Torii Arbor 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 3x6 ft Japanese Torii Arbor Plan page. Both ship with full cut lists, hardware schedules, footing specs, and step-by-step build instructions.