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
| 4x6 ft Horizontal Slat Privacy Screen Trellis Plan | 4x6 ft Lattice-Panel Privacy Screen Trellis Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Privacy Screen Trellises | Privacy Screen Trellises |
| Style | Horizontal Slat | Lattice-Panel |
| Footprint | 4x6 ft (24 sq ft) | 4x6 ft (24 sq ft) |
| Wood species | Pressure-Treated Pine | Redwood |
| Roof finish | open-top (no roof) | open-top (no roof) |
| Difficulty | Advanced | Advanced |
| Build time | ~111 hrs | ~55 hrs |
| Materials cost | $200–$325 | $350–$525 |
| Footing depth | 36″ × 2 posts | 36″ × 2 posts |
| Concrete | 4 × 60-lb bags | 4 × 60-lb bags |
| Cut-list items | 4 | 4 |
| Build steps | 9 | 9 |
Cost & budget
The 4x6 ft Horizontal Slat Privacy Screen Trellis Plan lands in the $200–$325 range for materials in Pressure-Treated Pine, while the 4x6 ft Lattice-Panel Privacy Screen Trellis Plan runs $350–$525 in Redwood. The first plan is approximately 70% more expensive at typical 2026 lumber-yard pricing — driven mostly by the choice of Redwood over Pressure-Treated Pine and the difference in cubic concrete volume between 2 and 2 footings.
Labor & difficulty
At ~111 hours, the 4x6 ft Horizontal Slat Privacy Screen Trellis Plan is rated Advanced. The 4x6 ft Lattice-Panel Privacy Screen Trellis Plan takes ~55 hours and is rated Advanced. The labor delta is roughly 56 hours, or one extra working day on the 4x6 ft Horizontal Slat Privacy Screen Trellis 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 24 sq ft vs 24 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 4x6 ft Horizontal Slat Privacy Screen Trellis Plan needs a clear area of approximately 8×10 ft and the 4x6 ft Lattice-Panel Privacy Screen Trellis Plan needs 8×10 ft.
Material & durability
The 4x6 ft Horizontal Slat Privacy Screen Trellis Plan is built from Pressure-Treated Pine, while the 4x6 ft Lattice-Panel Privacy Screen Trellis Plan calls for Redwood. 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, 4x6 ft Horizontal Slat Privacy Screen Trellis 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 4x6 ft Horizontal Slat Privacy Screen Trellis Plan page and the complete 4x6 ft Lattice-Panel Privacy Screen Trellis Plan page. Both ship with full cut lists, hardware schedules, footing specs, and step-by-step build instructions.