Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of joining glass elements with material continuity, to a glass component, to a housing, and to a vacuum insulating panel. The method comprises the following steps providing first and second glass elements, with each of the glass elements having at least one joining region having an outer edge to be joined, introducing a metallic material into the first glass element in the region of the joining region of the first glass element, placing the first and second glass elements onto one another such that the first and second glass elements contact one another at least at one outer edge of the respective joining region; and heating the metallic material in the first glass element so that the glass element at least partially melts in the region of the joining region of the first glass element so that a connection with material continuity is produced between the first and second glass elements.