A temperature compensated spacer includes first and second anchoring configurations for anchoring the spacer relative to first and second elements, and a frame providing a mechanical connection between the anchoring configurations. The frame has a polygonal opening with a first diagonal extending across the width of a gap between the elements and a second diagonal extending transversely to the first diagonal. A crossbar is associated with the polygonal opening so as to span the second diagonal. The frame and the crossbar are formed from materials having differing coefficients of thermal expansion. The crossbar is deployed so as to determine a length of the second diagonal such that variation in temperature causes deformation of the frame, thereby varying a length of the first diagonal.