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) | 10x8 ft Vertical Board Privacy Screen Trellis Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Privacy Screen Trellises | Privacy Screen Trellises |
| Style | Horizontal Slat | Vertical Board |
| Footprint | 12x6 ft (72 sq ft) | 10x8 ft (80 sq ft) |
| Wood species | Douglas Fir | Pressure-Treated Pine |
| Roof finish | open-top (no roof) | open-top (no roof) |
| Difficulty | Intermediate | Advanced |
| Build time | ~52 hrs | ~144 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 10x8 ft Vertical Board Privacy Screen Trellis Plan runs $650–$1,025 in Pressure-Treated Pine. The second plan is approximately 0% more expensive at typical 2026 lumber-yard pricing — driven mostly by the choice of Pressure-Treated Pine 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 10x8 ft Vertical Board Privacy Screen Trellis Plan takes ~144 hours and is rated Advanced. The labor delta is roughly 92 hours, or one extra working day on the 10x8 ft Vertical Board Privacy Screen Trellis Plan. If you are newer to outdoor woodworking, the 10x8 ft Vertical Board Privacy Screen Trellis Plan is the safer pick — it uses simpler joinery and fewer compound cuts.
Footprint & site fit
At 72 sq ft vs 80 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 10x8 ft Vertical Board Privacy Screen Trellis Plan needs 14×12 ft.
Material & durability
The 12x6 ft Horizontal Slat Privacy Screen Trellis Plan (Douglas Fir) is built from Douglas Fir, while the 10x8 ft Vertical Board Privacy Screen Trellis 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, 12x6 ft Horizontal Slat Privacy Screen Trellis Plan (Douglas Fir) 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 12x6 ft Horizontal Slat Privacy Screen Trellis Plan (Douglas Fir) page and the complete 10x8 ft Vertical Board Privacy Screen Trellis Plan page. Both ship with full cut lists, hardware schedules, footing specs, and step-by-step build instructions.