This pergola is ok but really isnt very sturdy. Weve had a few thunderstorms since putting this up and the strong winds are almost too much for it. The joints of the posts have bent but go back in place with a shove. The base of the posts are only secured by a screw so it doesnt seem very likely to last long. The shades have worked fine. The plastic pieces that pop in the ends of the posts come out easily and have to be tapped back in.