We love our pergola! Took about 3 hours for my & my husband to put together. (He IS handy.) This being steel is heavier & sturdier than others I was looking at. It’s not going anywhere! At first, I didn’t want a pergola that opened up in the middle, but it’s actually better! So we can just draw one side if needed. The rods that meet in the middle are magnetized so they stay in place. The canopy provides shade, but is not waterproof. It is heavier than expected, so I think it will last a few seasons. We keep the canopy drawn back when not in use to prevent wear & tear, and birds from making a home. Our patio footprint is 12x10 so this fit perfectly on it. I think this is a great buy to make an oasis in your backyard.