Patent ID: 8683775

Claim:
A method of installing a vacuum insulated glass (VIG) window unit, the method comprising: seating a VIG window unit, having a thickness of from about 4-12 mm, in a window frame, the window frame capable of supporting a non-vacuum IG window unit having a larger thickness than the VIG window unit, the VIG window unit comprising first and second glass substrates with a low pressure gap provided therebetween, the low pressure gap being at pressure less than atmospheric pressure, the VIG window unit being supported on a first side by a first stop portion of said frame and being supported on a second side by a second stop portion of said frame, and wherein a gap between the first and second stop portions is from about 19-40 mm; wherein a spacer structure is provided along at least one side of the VIG window unit between the VIG window unit and at least one of the first and second stop portions of the window frame, the spacer structure including at least one hollow area surrounded by a solid portion when viewed cross sectionally, wherein the hollow area is substantially filled with air, foam, and/or insulating material; the spacer structure comprises a base portion interconnected between first and second substantially parallel extending portions each of the first and second extending portions extending from the base portion in a direction substantially parallel to glass substrates of the VIG window unit, and wherein the first and second glass substrates of the VIG window unit are located at least partially between the first and second extending portions; and wherein the spacer structure comprises a first living hinge between the base portion and the first extending portion, and a second living hinge between the base portion and the second extending portion.