Vacuum IG window unit with metal member in hermetic edge seal

A thermally insulating glass panel comprising:

• first and second spaced apart glass substrates defining a low pressure space therebetween having a pressure of equal to or less than about 0.5×10−3 Torr;
• a plurality of spacers disposed between said first and second glass substrates in order to space the substrates from one another;
• and
• a hermetic edge seal disposed at least partially between said first and second glass substrates for hermetically sealing said low pressure space, wherein said edge seal comprises at least one substantially U-shaped metal member that is bonded to each of the first and second glass substrates, wherein said substantially U-shaped member includes first and second approximately parallel legs that are connected to each other with a base, wherein the first and second legs are bonded to respective inner surfaces the first and second glass substrates using solder glass, where the solder glass is provided between each of the legs and the inner surfaces of the glass substrates and extends along and contacts at least part of the base, wherein said base is either substantially straight or slightly curved, and wherein said substantially U-shaped member is oriented so that an open side of the substantial U-shape faces inwardly toward the low pressure space.