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
| 14x20 ft Louvered Roof Pergola Plan | 14x20 ft Modern Slatted Pergola Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Pergolas | Pergolas |
| Style | Louvered Roof | Modern Slatted |
| Footprint | 14x20 ft (280 sq ft) | 14x20 ft (280 sq ft) |
| Wood species | Redwood | Cypress |
| Roof finish | retractable canvas awning | clear EPDM membrane |
| Difficulty | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| Build time | ~30 hrs | ~45 hrs |
| Materials cost | $9,100–$14,225 | $7,525–$11,750 |
| Footing depth | 36″ × 4 posts | 36″ × 4 posts |
| Concrete | 8 × 60-lb bags | 8 × 60-lb bags |
| Cut-list items | 5 | 5 |
| Build steps | 11 | 11 |
Cost & budget
The 14x20 ft Louvered Roof Pergola Plan lands in the $9,100–$14,225 range for materials in Redwood, while the 14x20 ft Modern Slatted Pergola Plan runs $7,525–$11,750 in Cypress. The second plan is approximately 21% more expensive at typical 2026 lumber-yard pricing — driven mostly by the choice of Redwood over Cypress and the difference in cubic concrete volume between 4 and 4 footings.
Labor & difficulty
At ~30 hours, the 14x20 ft Louvered Roof Pergola Plan is rated Intermediate. The 14x20 ft Modern Slatted Pergola Plan takes ~45 hours and is rated Intermediate. The labor delta is roughly 15 hours, or one extra working day on the 14x20 ft Modern Slatted Pergola 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 280 sq ft vs 280 sq ft, you are choosing between a full outdoor room and a full outdoor room. Allow at least 24 inches of clearance on every side for furniture and walking paths — that means the 14x20 ft Louvered Roof Pergola Plan needs a clear area of approximately 18×24 ft and the 14x20 ft Modern Slatted Pergola Plan needs 18×24 ft.
Material & durability
The 14x20 ft Louvered Roof Pergola Plan is built from Redwood, while the 14x20 ft Modern Slatted Pergola Plan calls for Cypress. 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, 14x20 ft Louvered Roof Pergola 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 14x20 ft Louvered Roof Pergola Plan page and the complete 14x20 ft Modern Slatted Pergola Plan page. Both ship with full cut lists, hardware schedules, footing specs, and step-by-step build instructions.