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
| 10x12 ft Grill Shelter Lean-To Shelter Plan | 8x12 ft Sun-Side Awning Lean-To Shelter Plan (White Oak) | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Lean-To Shelters | Lean-To Shelters |
| Style | Grill Shelter | Sun-Side Awning |
| Footprint | 10x12 ft (120 sq ft) | 8x12 ft (96 sq ft) |
| Wood species | Pressure-Treated Pine | White Oak |
| Roof finish | open lattice rafters | tongue-and-groove cedar planks |
| Difficulty | Beginner | Beginner |
| Build time | ~16 hrs | ~12 hrs |
| Materials cost | $1,800–$2,825 | $2,625–$4,100 |
| Footing depth | 36″ × 2 posts | 36″ × 2 posts |
| Concrete | 4 × 60-lb bags | 4 × 60-lb bags |
| Cut-list items | 5 | 5 |
| Build steps | 10 | 10 |
Cost & budget
The 10x12 ft Grill Shelter Lean-To Shelter Plan lands in the $1,800–$2,825 range for materials in Pressure-Treated Pine, while the 8x12 ft Sun-Side Awning Lean-To Shelter Plan (White Oak) runs $2,625–$4,100 in White Oak. The first plan is approximately 46% more expensive at typical 2026 lumber-yard pricing — driven mostly by the choice of White Oak over Pressure-Treated Pine and the difference in cubic concrete volume between 2 and 2 footings.
Labor & difficulty
At ~16 hours, the 10x12 ft Grill Shelter Lean-To Shelter Plan is rated Beginner. The 8x12 ft Sun-Side Awning Lean-To Shelter Plan (White Oak) takes ~12 hours and is rated Beginner. The labor delta is roughly 4 hours, or one extra working day on the 10x12 ft Grill Shelter Lean-To Shelter 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 120 sq ft vs 96 sq ft, you are choosing between a generous patio cover and a focal-point garden structure. Allow at least 24 inches of clearance on every side for furniture and walking paths — that means the 10x12 ft Grill Shelter Lean-To Shelter Plan needs a clear area of approximately 14×16 ft and the 8x12 ft Sun-Side Awning Lean-To Shelter Plan (White Oak) needs 12×16 ft.
Material & durability
The 10x12 ft Grill Shelter Lean-To Shelter Plan is built from Pressure-Treated Pine, while the 8x12 ft Sun-Side Awning Lean-To Shelter Plan (White Oak) calls for White Oak. 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, 10x12 ft Grill Shelter Lean-To Shelter Plan covers more square footage. 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 10x12 ft Grill Shelter Lean-To Shelter Plan page and the complete 8x12 ft Sun-Side Awning Lean-To Shelter Plan (White Oak) page. Both ship with full cut lists, hardware schedules, footing specs, and step-by-step build instructions.