This is handsome with a solid feel. I hope that it is able to bear more weight than specified (250 pounds) as it is a two-seat bench, and it is unlikely that two Americans taking off their boots will weigh less than 250 lbs. The safety hinge is a nice touch. My husband seems to have put it together easily, but he is very handy. It looks like a  five-star purchase, but I put 4 stars because I cannot vouch for how it wears. I will try to remember to update this review in 3 years, so future buyers have an idea of how it wears.