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 Louvered Adjustable Privacy Screen Trellis Plan | 6x8 ft Mid-Century Geometric Privacy Screen Trellis Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Privacy Screen Trellises | Privacy Screen Trellises |
| Style | Louvered Adjustable | Mid-Century Geometric |
| Footprint | 6x6 ft (36 sq ft) | 6x8 ft (48 sq ft) |
| Wood species | Pressure-Treated Pine | Pressure-Treated Pine |
| Roof finish | open-top (no roof) | open-top (no roof) |
| Difficulty | Advanced | Intermediate |
| Build time | ~121 hrs | ~40 hrs |
| Materials cost | $300–$475 | $400–$625 |
| Footing depth | 36″ × 3 posts | 36″ × 3 posts |
| Concrete | 6 × 60-lb bags | 6 × 60-lb bags |
| Cut-list items | 4 | 4 |
| Build steps | 9 | 9 |
Cost & budget
The 6x6 ft Louvered Adjustable Privacy Screen Trellis Plan lands in the $300–$475 range for materials in Pressure-Treated Pine, while the 6x8 ft Mid-Century Geometric Privacy Screen Trellis Plan runs $400–$625 in Pressure-Treated Pine. The first plan is approximately 33% more expensive at typical 2026 lumber-yard pricing — driven mostly by the choice of Pressure-Treated Pine over Pressure-Treated Pine and the difference in cubic concrete volume between 3 and 3 footings.
Labor & difficulty
At ~121 hours, the 6x6 ft Louvered Adjustable Privacy Screen Trellis Plan is rated Advanced. The 6x8 ft Mid-Century Geometric Privacy Screen Trellis Plan takes ~40 hours and is rated Intermediate. The labor delta is roughly 81 hours, or one extra working day on the 6x6 ft Louvered Adjustable Privacy Screen Trellis Plan. If you are newer to outdoor woodworking, the 6x8 ft Mid-Century Geometric Privacy Screen Trellis Plan is the safer pick — it uses simpler joinery and fewer compound cuts.
Footprint & site fit
At 36 sq ft vs 48 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 Louvered Adjustable Privacy Screen Trellis Plan needs a clear area of approximately 10×10 ft and the 6x8 ft Mid-Century Geometric Privacy Screen Trellis Plan needs 10×12 ft.
Material & durability
The 6x6 ft Louvered Adjustable Privacy Screen Trellis Plan is built from Pressure-Treated Pine, while the 6x8 ft Mid-Century Geometric Privacy Screen Trellis Plan calls for Pressure-Treated Pine. 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, 6x8 ft Mid-Century Geometric 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 Louvered Adjustable Privacy Screen Trellis Plan page and the complete 6x8 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.