We've had this bench for less than a year and it's broken. It's not a heavily used item, either.  The hinges in the middle seem to have stopped bending, and it puts so much pressure on the other hinges it has ripped the composite.  The rest of the bench is solid enough, but if you're really set on this bench, just use the 4 simpler hinges and skip the ones in the middle of each seat.  I hope that makes sense!