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
| 14x18 ft Dutch Gable Pavilion Plan | 3x4 ft Picket-Sided Wedding Arbor Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Pavilions | Arbors |
| Style | Dutch Gable | Picket-Sided Wedding |
| Footprint | 14x18 ft (252 sq ft) | 3x4 ft (12 sq ft) |
| Wood species | Composite (Trex / Azek) | Pressure-Treated Pine |
| Roof finish | bamboo reed mat overlay | clear EPDM membrane |
| Difficulty | Advanced | Intermediate |
| Build time | ~96 hrs | ~55 hrs |
| Materials cost | $26,625–$41,600 | $150–$225 |
| 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 14x18 ft Dutch Gable Pavilion Plan lands in the $26,625–$41,600 range for materials in Composite (Trex / Azek), while the 3x4 ft Picket-Sided Wedding Arbor Plan runs $150–$225 in Pressure-Treated Pine. The second plan is approximately 18914% more expensive at typical 2026 lumber-yard pricing — driven mostly by the choice of Composite (Trex / Azek) over Pressure-Treated Pine and the difference in cubic concrete volume between 6 and 2 footings.
Labor & difficulty
At ~96 hours, the 14x18 ft Dutch Gable Pavilion Plan is rated Advanced. The 3x4 ft Picket-Sided Wedding Arbor Plan takes ~55 hours and is rated Intermediate. The labor delta is roughly 41 hours, or one extra working day on the 14x18 ft Dutch Gable Pavilion Plan. If you are newer to outdoor woodworking, the 3x4 ft Picket-Sided Wedding Arbor Plan is the safer pick — it uses simpler joinery and fewer compound cuts.
Footprint & site fit
At 252 sq ft vs 12 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 14x18 ft Dutch Gable Pavilion Plan needs a clear area of approximately 18×22 ft and the 3x4 ft Picket-Sided Wedding Arbor Plan needs 7×8 ft.
Material & durability
The 14x18 ft Dutch Gable Pavilion Plan is built from Composite (Trex / Azek), while the 3x4 ft Picket-Sided Wedding Arbor Plan calls for Pressure-Treated Pine. 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, 3x4 ft Picket-Sided Wedding 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 14x18 ft Dutch Gable Pavilion Plan page and the complete 3x4 ft Picket-Sided Wedding Arbor Plan page. Both ship with full cut lists, hardware schedules, footing specs, and step-by-step build instructions.