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 Cathedral Ceiling Pavilion Plan | 16x20 ft Hot Tub Pavilion Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Pavilions | Pavilions |
| Style | Cathedral Ceiling | Hot Tub Pavilion |
| Footprint | 16x20 ft (320 sq ft) | 16x20 ft (320 sq ft) |
| Wood species | Western Red Cedar | Western Red Cedar |
| Roof finish | bamboo reed mat overlay | aluminum louvered system |
| Difficulty | Advanced | Advanced |
| Build time | ~96 hrs | ~119 hrs |
| Materials cost | $16,200–$25,325 | $16,200–$25,325 |
| Footing depth | 36″ × 6 posts | 36″ × 6 posts |
| Concrete | 12 × 60-lb bags | 12 × 60-lb bags |
| Cut-list items | 7 | 7 |
| Build steps | 12 | 12 |
Cost & budget
The 16x20 ft Cathedral Ceiling Pavilion Plan lands in the $16,200–$25,325 range for materials in Western Red Cedar, while the 16x20 ft Hot Tub Pavilion Plan runs $16,200–$25,325 in Western Red Cedar. The second plan is approximately 0% more expensive at typical 2026 lumber-yard pricing — driven mostly by the choice of Western Red Cedar over Western Red Cedar and the difference in cubic concrete volume between 6 and 6 footings.
Labor & difficulty
At ~96 hours, the 16x20 ft Cathedral Ceiling Pavilion Plan is rated Advanced. The 16x20 ft Hot Tub Pavilion Plan takes ~119 hours and is rated Advanced. The labor delta is roughly 23 hours, or one extra working day on the 16x20 ft Hot Tub 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 320 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 16x20 ft Cathedral Ceiling Pavilion Plan needs a clear area of approximately 20×24 ft and the 16x20 ft Hot Tub Pavilion Plan needs 20×24 ft.
Material & durability
The 16x20 ft Cathedral Ceiling Pavilion Plan is built from Western Red Cedar, while the 16x20 ft Hot Tub Pavilion Plan calls for Western Red Cedar. Both plans share the same species, so you can buy from a single lumber order if you build them in sequence — a common move for homeowners adding both a primary structure and a complementary screen or arbor.
Verdict
For a builder weighing these two specifically, these two plans are close in cost and effort — your choice comes down to style and footprint. 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 Cathedral Ceiling Pavilion Plan page and the complete 16x20 ft Hot Tub Pavilion Plan page. Both ship with full cut lists, hardware schedules, footing specs, and step-by-step build instructions.