The metal rods and frame of this drying rack are sturdy and durable.  The plastic pieces used to connect the rods to the frame, however, can come loose when you're opening or closing the rack. In addition, because these plastic pieces aren't that finely manufactured, it can be very difficult to unlatch the top rod from the frame, when you need to collapse the frame. I've learned not to firmly set the top rod into the frame-- leaving it slightly loose enables me to take it out of position and collapse the frame when it's time to put it away.