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
| 8x8 ft Louvered Roof Pergola Plan | 8x8 ft Mission Pergola Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Pergolas | Pergolas |
| Style | Louvered Roof | Mission |
| Footprint | 8x8 ft (64 sq ft) | 8x8 ft (64 sq ft) |
| Wood species | Western Red Cedar | Western Red Cedar |
| Roof finish | asphalt architectural shingles | cedar shake shingles |
| Difficulty | Intermediate | Advanced |
| Build time | ~46 hrs | ~137 hrs |
| Materials cost | $1,650–$2,575 | $1,650–$2,575 |
| 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 8x8 ft Louvered Roof Pergola Plan lands in the $1,650–$2,575 range for materials in Western Red Cedar, while the 8x8 ft Mission Pergola Plan runs $1,650–$2,575 in Western Red Cedar. The second plan is approximately 0% more expensive at typical 2026 lumber-yard pricing — driven mostly by the choice of Western Red Cedar over Western Red Cedar and the difference in cubic concrete volume between 4 and 4 footings.
Labor & difficulty
At ~46 hours, the 8x8 ft Louvered Roof Pergola Plan is rated Intermediate. The 8x8 ft Mission Pergola Plan takes ~137 hours and is rated Advanced. The labor delta is roughly 91 hours, or one extra working day on the 8x8 ft Mission Pergola Plan. If you are newer to outdoor woodworking, the 8x8 ft Mission Pergola Plan is the safer pick — it uses simpler joinery and fewer compound cuts.
Footprint & site fit
At 64 sq ft vs 64 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 8x8 ft Louvered Roof Pergola Plan needs a clear area of approximately 12×12 ft and the 8x8 ft Mission Pergola Plan needs 12×12 ft.
Material & durability
The 8x8 ft Louvered Roof Pergola Plan is built from Western Red Cedar, while the 8x8 ft Mission Pergola Plan calls for Western Red Cedar. 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, 8x8 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 8x8 ft Louvered Roof Pergola Plan page and the complete 8x8 ft Mission Pergola Plan page. Both ship with full cut lists, hardware schedules, footing specs, and step-by-step build instructions.