It is metal, and sturdy, after getting everything laid out, moved pretty quickly 2 hrs by myself. Follow the instructions, and it goes together well. The led strip is nice quality, and it is really sturdy. As of right now, it doesn’t make any creek noises, but I made sure to go back to ensure all the screws were sufficiently tight. It is a sleek slim design, and was exactly what we were looking for, for our teenagers room. Also spacious under bed space for storage. I did knock the headboard when moving pieces around, so be mindful of the unpacking.