Self Support Glazing Bars are structural bars that do not need rafter support. With a strong aluminium core, the self support glazing bars are engineered and designed to be built to last. Self supporting glazing bars are ideal for conservatory roofing, canopies and carports. High quality and easy to install they give an attractive professional finish to your roof.
The self support glazing bars accommodate 16mm, 25mm, 32mm and 35mm Multiwall Polycarbonate Sheets or 16mm and 24mm Glass units. There is a wide range of colours available including White, Brown, Anthracite Grey, Black, Rosewood and Light Oak.
The system offers main bars for connecting your glazing sheets. There are also purpose made end bars to support and finish off the left and right ends of your roof. The bars are part of an overall self supporting roof system with all the components needed to build your lean to roof.
Please see below the maximum centres for the bars related to the projection of your roof.
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The glazing bars have a strong structural aluminium core that support the bars without the need for rafters. There are dedicated main and end bars that have a PVC top cap and underclad. These are complete with discreet gaskets for a leakproof and attractive professional finish. The bars are great for polycarbonate and glass self supported roofs. The deductions for the glazing are shown on the chart below but we can help you should you need it.

You need to consider the structural strength provided by self supporting glazing bars. It important that the centres of your self-support glazing bars are within the guidelines given for that roof system.
The following chart shows the centres for The Glazing Shop Self Support Glazing bars over a range of projections. This shows the recommended spans for conservatory roofs. You can see below the recommended centres if you are using these glazing bars for a polycarbonate roof. You can also see the centres if you are using the glazing bars for a glass roof.
You simply choose either polycarbonate or glass as shown on the chart. You then follow the graph to see how wide apart your self-support glazing bars centres can be.
For example, if you are making a polycarbonate conservatory roof with a 4m projection. The maximum space between your bars is 500mm. Alternatively if you want just a 3m projection, your centres can be as wide as 1000mm. This is provided your polycarbonate is thick enough (please see below). For canopies or other open structures, we would recommend keeping the centres lower. This is because the roof would be additionally impacted by wind uplift. Please call the sales office for advice.
For glass roofs you follow the same principles. As you can see you could not have a 4m projection in glass. The maximum projection would be around 3.3m at 500mm centres. This is because the glass is heavier and deflects more. For a glass canopy (or other open structure) we would recommend keeping the centres around 500mm even for smaller projections to account for wind uplift. If in doubt check with your glass supplier.
The following are conservatory roof guidelines for centres based upon polycarbonate sheet thickness. The centres of the self support glazing bars in the above chart may in some cases be bigger than those given for the sheet thickness. You must not exceed the centres recommended for the bars and those for the thickness of the sheets. Always go to the smaller of the two.
For example: As you can see here you could glaze your 3m projection polycarbonate roof with 1000mm centres but 16mm polycarbonate would be restricted to 900mm centres.
| Sheet Thickness | Maximum recommended width | ||
| 16mm Triple wall Polycarbonate | 900mm | ||
| 25mm Multi wall Polycarbonate | 1050mm | ||
| 32mm & 35mm Multi wall Polycarbonate | 1200mm | ||
For a canopy we would recommend keeping the sheets no more than 900mm for all of the above thicknesses.
As well as your self supporting glazing bars we have all of the other components needed to build your roof. This includes wall plates, eaves beams and a full range of accessories. We also have wall bar adapters, sheet closures and clip on gutter brackets for the system eaves beam.
If your roof is polycarbonate, we supply all thicknesses of multiwall polycarbonate at highly competitive prices. We cut it to size for you at no extra cost so you only pay for what you use.
Please see our Self support assembly instructions.
Sleek Design with a range of colours:
The whole system is available in a wide range of colours from traditional white and brown to contemporary Anthracite Grey and Black. We also offer Rosewood and Light Oak options. These allow you to achieve the finish you desire whether modern or more traditional.
Range of sizes:
The main self supporting bars and the end bars both come in a range of sizes to minimise waste and keep your costs down.
Excellent Durability:
With strong, high-quality aluminium at their core, from the glazing bars to the purpose made wall plates and eaves beams. The roof parts have PVC cladding with built in gaskets to look great and withstand the elements. Giving you a trouble free roof for years to come.
Easy Installation:
Designed for hassle-free assembly, our glazing bars allow for quick and straightforward installation. Very popular with DIYers and professionals alike, saving you time and reducing fitting costs.
Very versatile:
Perfect for both residential and commercial projects, our self-supporting glazing bars are ideal for conservatories, verandas, canopies & car ports and many other applications. Our self support roof system is equally suited to multiwall polycarbonate and glass units.
At the Glazing shop we aim to provide all the information you need to make informed decisions about the parts of your self-support roof. If you have any questions please call us on 01536 446395 and we will be very happy to help.
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