Bought the system in June. The paint is fading and bare wood showing through basically everywhere. I have never seen paint disappear so quickly with less than one summer of use. If I don't paint it, not only is it going to look like ***, it will quickly rot. I'm sorry, I would expect more and a better quality from something so expensive. We called and they said suggested we put a sealer on it. Nothing else I have ever bought for outdoor use faded and failed so soon. We are very disappointed.