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
| 12x6 ft Horizontal Slat Privacy Screen Trellis Plan (Douglas Fir) | 12x6 ft Hot Tub Surround Privacy Screen Trellis Plan (Douglas Fir) | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Privacy Screen Trellises | Privacy Screen Trellises |
| Style | Horizontal Slat | Hot Tub Surround |
| Footprint | 12x6 ft (72 sq ft) | 12x6 ft (72 sq ft) |
| Wood species | Douglas Fir | Douglas Fir |
| Roof finish | open-top (no roof) | open-top (no roof) |
| Difficulty | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| Build time | ~52 hrs | ~51 hrs |
| Materials cost | $650–$1,025 | $650–$1,025 |
| Footing depth | 36″ × 4 posts | 36″ × 4 posts |
| Concrete | 8 × 60-lb bags | 8 × 60-lb bags |
| Cut-list items | 4 | 4 |
| Build steps | 9 | 9 |
Cost & budget
The 12x6 ft Horizontal Slat Privacy Screen Trellis Plan (Douglas Fir) lands in the $650–$1,025 range for materials in Douglas Fir, while the 12x6 ft Hot Tub Surround Privacy Screen Trellis Plan (Douglas Fir) runs $650–$1,025 in Douglas Fir. The second plan is approximately 0% more expensive at typical 2026 lumber-yard pricing — driven mostly by the choice of Douglas Fir over Douglas Fir and the difference in cubic concrete volume between 4 and 4 footings.
Labor & difficulty
At ~52 hours, the 12x6 ft Horizontal Slat Privacy Screen Trellis Plan (Douglas Fir) is rated Intermediate. The 12x6 ft Hot Tub Surround Privacy Screen Trellis Plan (Douglas Fir) takes ~51 hours and is rated Intermediate. The labor delta is roughly 1 hours, or one extra working day on the 12x6 ft Horizontal Slat Privacy Screen Trellis Plan (Douglas Fir). 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 72 sq ft vs 72 sq ft, you are choosing between a focal-point garden structure and a focal-point garden structure. Allow at least 24 inches of clearance on every side for furniture and walking paths — that means the 12x6 ft Horizontal Slat Privacy Screen Trellis Plan (Douglas Fir) needs a clear area of approximately 16×10 ft and the 12x6 ft Hot Tub Surround Privacy Screen Trellis Plan (Douglas Fir) needs 16×10 ft.
Material & durability
The 12x6 ft Horizontal Slat Privacy Screen Trellis Plan (Douglas Fir) is built from Douglas Fir, while the 12x6 ft Hot Tub Surround Privacy Screen Trellis Plan (Douglas Fir) calls for Douglas Fir. 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 12x6 ft Horizontal Slat Privacy Screen Trellis Plan (Douglas Fir) page and the complete 12x6 ft Hot Tub Surround Privacy Screen Trellis Plan (Douglas Fir) page. Both ship with full cut lists, hardware schedules, footing specs, and step-by-step build instructions.