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 | 14x20 ft Louvered Roof Pergola Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Pergolas | Pergolas |
| Style | Cantilevered | Louvered Roof |
| Footprint | 16x16 ft (256 sq ft) | 14x20 ft (280 sq ft) |
| Wood species | Western Red Cedar | Redwood |
| Roof finish | standing-seam metal roofing | retractable canvas awning |
| Difficulty | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| Build time | ~57 hrs | ~30 hrs |
| Materials cost | $6,600–$10,325 | $9,100–$14,225 |
| 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 lands in the $6,600–$10,325 range for materials in Western Red Cedar, while the 14x20 ft Louvered Roof Pergola Plan runs $9,100–$14,225 in Redwood. The first plan is approximately 38% more expensive at typical 2026 lumber-yard pricing — driven mostly by the choice of Redwood over Western Red Cedar and the difference in cubic concrete volume between 4 and 4 footings.
Labor & difficulty
At ~57 hours, the 16x16 ft Cantilevered Pergola Plan is rated Intermediate. The 14x20 ft Louvered Roof Pergola Plan takes ~30 hours and is rated Intermediate. The labor delta is roughly 27 hours, or one extra working day on the 16x16 ft Cantilevered 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 280 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 needs a clear area of approximately 20×20 ft and the 14x20 ft Louvered Roof Pergola Plan needs 18×24 ft.
Material & durability
The 16x16 ft Cantilevered Pergola Plan is built from Western Red Cedar, while the 14x20 ft Louvered Roof Pergola Plan calls for Redwood. 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, 14x20 ft Louvered Roof Pergola 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 Cantilevered Pergola Plan page and the complete 14x20 ft Louvered Roof Pergola Plan page. Both ship with full cut lists, hardware schedules, footing specs, and step-by-step build instructions.