A method and apparatus is disclosed for rapidly joining a first glass substrate to a second glass substrate. The first glass substrate and second glass substrates are separated by a peripheral glass spacer or frame. The glass frame is sandwiched between the first and second substrates. A layer of glass frit is placed on the top and bottom surfaces of the frame or about the top and bottom peripheral edges of the substrates in contact with the frame. Heat is then applied substantially solely to the periphery of the substrates about the frame to cause the frit to melt thereby securing the top substrate to the bottom substrate.