Description
Two-Piece Clamshell™ Union Support Brackets for 4×4’s, 4×6’s or 6×6’s!
The two-piece set for 4×4’s is 15″ tall, weighs 6.7 pounds per pair, and is code-rated to support 2.5 tons when through-bolting with 1/2″ bolts (or 1.5 tons with 1/2″ lag screws) and using common Southern Pine as the post.
The two-piece set for 6×6’s comes in your choice of either of two sizes: 15″ tall with holes for 1/2″ screws/bolts; or 18.75″ tall with holes for 5/8″ screws/bolts (weighs over 13 pounds per set!) The brackets for 6×6’s support up to 4.5 tons with 5/8″ bolts (or 2.5 tons with 1/2″ bolts) when using common Southern Pine as the post.
The two-piece set for 4×6’s set is 15″ tall and weighs in at 9.6 pounds.
For the 4×4 and 6×6, you can place the Clamshells™ so the holes line up and you can bolt all the through, or flip one over and all the holes are offset for use with lag screws. The holes on the 4×6 are offset for use with lag screws, but we can make them align as a custom order upon request.
We designed our Clamshells™ in consultation with a structural engineer so we can provide the pictured chart with ratings calculated for all sizes and with lags or bolts. We sell two versions of the 6×6. One with holes for 1/2″ and a taller/stronger version with holes for 5/8″ bolts or lags. (The 6×6 shown in the chart is the 5/8″ version — the 1/2″ version has the numbers of the 4×6 going in the strong axis.) As you can see, the 6×6 version with the holes for 5/8″ bolts/lags is almost twice as strong.
Build your own rugged and heavy duty PostHugger™ Pergola, Double Pergola, or deck and other DIY’s with our USA made, 1/8″ thick, steel extension brackets! Also great for fixing/reinforcing the build you already have! These are not flimsy/bendable metal. We make them using 1/8″ thick steel – the Clamshell™ weighs between 6.7 and over 13 pounds (depending on the size chosen) – – strong enough to take what you throw at it, but not so heavy where they are hard to work with.
We use 1/8″ steel which is thicker than a Quarter and a Dime stacked on top of each other. Also unlike others who just cut and ship steel right off their table, we take the time to hand debur and wire brush both the inside and outside of every piece.
We are the original designer of the PostHugger™ brackets, which may be copied, but never equaled! 🙂 If you find a PostHugger™ knockoff, give us a chance to meet or beat their price.
BOLTS/LAG SCREWS ARE NOT INCLUDED WITH OUR BRACKETS; you can pick them up at your local hardware store when you pick up your wood.
Please note that unless you choose the powder coated option, these ship as raw, unpainted steel. You can either paint them the color of your choice, finish them with a clear coat, or allow to achieve a natural rust patina over time.
Made in the USA: All our PostHugger™ Brackets & metal artwork products are Made in America with American-Made Steel!
Special Shipping Rates to AK, HI, and Canada calculated at checkout.
If you would like to see customer photos (and a video!) of some of our brackets in use, click the link https://posthugger.com/photos/
Our standard Policies & Terms and Conditions apply to all orders of this product. © 2026 Thermo-Flex Technologies, Inc. – All Designs, Photos, and Text are the Intellectual Property of Shop Owner and are not to be copied without express written permission.
