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
| 6x6 ft Hot Tub Surround Privacy Screen Trellis Plan | 4x6 ft Mid-Century Geometric Privacy Screen Trellis Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Privacy Screen Trellises | Privacy Screen Trellises |
| Style | Hot Tub Surround | Mid-Century Geometric |
| Footprint | 6x6 ft (36 sq ft) | 4x6 ft (24 sq ft) |
| Wood species | Western Red Cedar | Black Locust |
| Roof finish | open-top (no roof) | open-top (no roof) |
| Difficulty | Beginner | Beginner |
| Build time | ~11 hrs | ~22 hrs |
| Materials cost | $400–$625 | $375–$600 |
| Footing depth | 36″ × 3 posts | 36″ × 2 posts |
| Concrete | 6 × 60-lb bags | 4 × 60-lb bags |
| Cut-list items | 4 | 4 |
| Build steps | 9 | 9 |
Cost & budget
The 6x6 ft Hot Tub Surround Privacy Screen Trellis Plan lands in the $400–$625 range for materials in Western Red Cedar, while the 4x6 ft Mid-Century Geometric Privacy Screen Trellis Plan runs $375–$600 in Black Locust. The second plan is approximately 5% more expensive at typical 2026 lumber-yard pricing — driven mostly by the choice of Western Red Cedar over Black Locust and the difference in cubic concrete volume between 3 and 2 footings.
Labor & difficulty
At ~11 hours, the 6x6 ft Hot Tub Surround Privacy Screen Trellis Plan is rated Beginner. The 4x6 ft Mid-Century Geometric Privacy Screen Trellis Plan takes ~22 hours and is rated Beginner. The labor delta is roughly 11 hours, or one extra working day on the 4x6 ft Mid-Century Geometric 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 36 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 6x6 ft Hot Tub Surround Privacy Screen Trellis Plan needs a clear area of approximately 10×10 ft and the 4x6 ft Mid-Century Geometric Privacy Screen Trellis Plan needs 8×10 ft.
Material & durability
The 6x6 ft Hot Tub Surround Privacy Screen Trellis Plan is built from Western Red Cedar, while the 4x6 ft Mid-Century Geometric Privacy Screen Trellis Plan calls for Black Locust. 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, 6x6 ft Hot Tub Surround Privacy Screen Trellis Plan 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 6x6 ft Hot Tub Surround Privacy Screen Trellis Plan page and the complete 4x6 ft Mid-Century Geometric Privacy Screen Trellis Plan page. Both ship with full cut lists, hardware schedules, footing specs, and step-by-step build instructions.