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 Cantilevered Pergola Plan (White Oak) | 16x16 ft Gabled Pergola Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Pergolas | Pergolas |
| Style | Cantilevered | Gabled |
| Footprint | 16x16 ft (256 sq ft) | 16x16 ft (256 sq ft) |
| Wood species | White Oak | Douglas Fir |
| Roof finish | clear EPDM membrane | corrugated polycarbonate panels |
| Difficulty | Beginner | Beginner |
| Build time | ~23 hrs | ~24 hrs |
| Materials cost | $8,875–$13,875 | $5,450–$8,500 |
| Footing depth | 36″ × 4 posts | 36″ × 4 posts |
| Concrete | 8 × 60-lb bags | 8 × 60-lb bags |
| Cut-list items | 5 | 5 |
| Build steps | 11 | 11 |
Cost & budget
The 16x16 ft Cantilevered Pergola Plan (White Oak) lands in the $8,875–$13,875 range for materials in White Oak, while the 16x16 ft Gabled Pergola Plan runs $5,450–$8,500 in Douglas Fir. The second plan is approximately 63% more expensive at typical 2026 lumber-yard pricing — driven mostly by the choice of White Oak over Douglas Fir and the difference in cubic concrete volume between 4 and 4 footings.
Labor & difficulty
At ~23 hours, the 16x16 ft Cantilevered Pergola Plan (White Oak) is rated Beginner. The 16x16 ft Gabled Pergola Plan takes ~24 hours and is rated Beginner. The labor delta is roughly 1 hours, or one extra working day on the 16x16 ft Gabled Pergola 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 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 Cantilevered Pergola Plan (White Oak) needs a clear area of approximately 20×20 ft and the 16x16 ft Gabled Pergola Plan needs 20×20 ft.
Material & durability
The 16x16 ft Cantilevered Pergola Plan (White Oak) is built from White Oak, while the 16x16 ft Gabled Pergola 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, 16x16 ft Gabled Pergola 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 16x16 ft Cantilevered Pergola Plan (White Oak) page and the complete 16x16 ft Gabled Pergola Plan page. Both ship with full cut lists, hardware schedules, footing specs, and step-by-step build instructions.