As overhead or horizontal glazing, glass canopies must necessarily be particularly stable in order to withstand snow loads in winter or strong wind loads. As for all buildings, the standard specifications come from DIN 18008. The specifications refer to the substructure, which is usually made of aluminium or stainless steel, as well as to the sloping glass roof surface.

Since only laminated safety glass with poly-vinyl butyral film has the normative approval as overhead glazing, the basic structure as laminated safety glass with PVB is the most frequently executed. For example, the standard laminated safety glass made of float glass or more stable heat-strengthened glass is obligatory – the glass thicknesses of 2 x 4 to 12 mm must be determined depending on the snow loads to be expected regionally and the area of the canopy. In terms of design, inconspicuous clear glass or satin-finished glass is often used – coloured glass or PVB films are also used less frequently.

Only in exceptional cases of small-scale roof glass, for example for outbuildings in the private sector, is wired glass still used today.

Canopies are typically supported either in a linear pattern on two opposite edges or circumferential on all sides on profiles or connected to the house wall at the back and supported at the front by point holders and rod or cable systems. Relatively small surfaces can be mounted mechanically cantilevered as sails, creating a minimalist, light look.