The Simpson Strong-Tie APVT6 Outdoor Accents Avant Collection T Strap is a decorative wood connector made for reinforcing 90-degree wood-to-wood intersections in outdoor structures. This is a T strap designed for fastening wood-to-wood joints in pergolas, patio covers, and other exterior framing. Model Number: APVT6.

What matters here is that this is not just a flat plate painted black. The APVT6 is formed from 12-gauge steel and sized for 6x6 applications, giving you a connector that adds lateral reinforcement where horizontal and vertical members meet. In real use, that means a cleaner way to tie together exposed framing while still adding structural value at the joint.

The dimensions are 16 inches long by 10-1/2 inches high, with a 5-inch width, so it has enough footprint to look proportionate on larger outdoor posts and beams. That larger format also helps the strap visually match heavy timber details instead of looking undersized on finished outdoor projects.

Simpson Strong-Tie puts this part in the Outdoor Accents Avant Collection, which is the more contemporary side of the Outdoor Accents line. The straight edges and chamfered corners are the giveaway. If you want exposed hardware that looks deliberate on a pergola or patio cover, this shape fits better than a standard connector that was clearly designed to disappear behind drywall.

For exterior durability, the APVT6 uses ZMAX galvanization with a black powder-coated finish. That combination is specifically called out for exterior and treated-wood applications, so you are getting more corrosion resistance than you would from a basic painted strap. If the connector is going to stay visible year-round, that finish matters both for service life and for keeping the black hardware look intact.

Installation is built around Simpson Strong-Tie Outdoor Accents structural screws and the STN22 hex-head washer, both sold separately. That is worth paying attention to because the finished look depends on using the matching hardware system. This is one of those products where the fastener choice is part of the design, not an afterthought.

The best fit for this T strap is anyone building an outdoor structure where the hardware will stay exposed. Contractors, deck and pergola builders, remodelers, and serious DIYers working on backyard structures will get the most out of it. If you need a hidden connector, this is not the right part. If you want visible hardware that adds reinforcement and looks clean on 6x6 framing, it makes a lot of sense.

Simpson Strong-Tie APVT6 Outdoor Accents Avant Collection T Strap for Clean Outdoor Timber Details

The Simpson Strong-Tie APVT6 is the right call when you want exposed connector hardware to actually improve the look of the build instead of just doing a job.

• Who it's for: Builders and serious DIYers working on pergolas, patio covers, and other outdoor wood structures with visible 6x6 framing.
• Why it stands out: You get structural reinforcement, exterior-rated corrosion resistance, and a modern black hardware look in one part.
• Worth knowing: Fasteners and washers are sold separately, and this connector makes the most sense when you use the full Outdoor Accents hardware system.

• What is this connector used for? It is used to reinforce a wood-to-wood connection where one lumber piece intersects another at a 90-degree angle.
• Is this strap suitable for outdoor use? Yes. Simpson Strong-Tie lists the ZMAX galvanization with black powder coat as providing extra corrosion resistance for exterior and treated-wood applications.
• What hardware does it install with? It is designed to install with Outdoor Accents structural screws and the STN22 hex-head washer, which are sold separately.
• What size framing is it meant for? The APVT6 is identified as the T strap for 6x6 applications.