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Compound fenestration assembly mull joints, compound fenestration assemblies using those mull joints, and methods of making and using the same are described herein. The mull joints in compound fenestration assemblies as described herein use universal joining strips to form both sides of a mull joint

Compound fenestration assembly mull joints, compound fenestration assemblies using those mull joints, and methods of making and using the same are described herein. The mull joints in compound fenestration assemblies as described herein use universal joining strips to form both sides of a mull joint, as well as other universal components such as, e.g., corner gussets, locator plates, end plugs, seal members, etc. that may be used as needed to form mull joints as required in a compound fenestration assembly.

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1. A compound fenestration assembly comprising: a first frame member of a first fenestration unit attached to a second frame member of a second fenestration unit along a mull joint having a first end and a second end, wherein the mull joint defines a mull joint axis extending along a length of the m

1. A compound fenestration assembly comprising: a first frame member of a first fenestration unit attached to a second frame member of a second fenestration unit along a mull joint having a first end and a second end, wherein the mull joint defines a mull joint axis extending along a length of the mull joint between the first and second ends of the mull joint,wherein the first and second frame members comprise exterior sides facing in the same direction and interior sides facing in an opposite direction from the exterior sides, wherein an interior/exterior axis extends between the interior and exterior sides in a direction transverse to the mull joint axis,wherein the first frame member faces the second frame member across the mull joint, wherein a separation axis extends through the mull joint between the first and second frame members, the separation axis extending in a direction transverse to both the mull joint axis and the interior/exterior axis;a first joining strip attached to the first frame member of the first fenestration unit, the first joining strip comprising a first end proximate the first end of the mull joint and a second end proximate the second end of the mull joint, wherein the first joining strip comprises a pair of channels extending along the length of the first frame member, wherein each channel of the pair of channels is aligned with the mull joint axis and opens towards the exterior side of the first fenestration unit;a second joining strip attached to the second frame member of the second fenestration unit, the second joining strip comprising a first end proximate the first end of the mull joint and a second end proximate the second end of the mull joint, wherein the second joining strip comprises a pair of channels extending along the length of the second frame member, wherein each channel of the pair of channels on the second joining strip is aligned with the mull joint axis and opens towards the interior side of the second fenestration unit such that each channel of the pair of channels on the first joining strip mechanically interlocks with one channel of the pair of channels on the second joining strip, wherein the mechanically interlocking channels prevent movement of the first frame member away from the second frame member along the separation axis, prevent movement of the first frame member towards the exterior side of the second frame member along the interior/exterior axis, and prevent movement of the second frame member towards the interior side of the first frame member along the interior/exterior axis;wherein the second joining strip is a mirror image of the first joining strip across the mull joint such that the channels on the second joining strip face the channels on the first joining strip and the channels on the second joining strip and the channels on the first joining strip open in opposite directions;a first corner gusset attached to the first fenestration unit, wherein the first corner gusset comprises: a first gusset plate leg positioned between the first joining strip and the first frame member of the first fenestration unit at the first end of the mull joint, anda first base plate attached to the first gusset plate leg and extending away from a corner of the first fenestration unit proximate the first end of the mull joint, wherein the first base plate extends away from the first fenestration unit in a direction aligned with the separation axis, wherein first base plate is configured for attachment to an interior surface of an opening in which the first fenestration unit is located; anda second corner gusset attached to the second fenestration unit, wherein the second corner gusset comprises: a second gusset plate leg positioned between the second joining strip and the second frame member of the second fenestration unit at the first end of the mull joint, anda second base plate attached to the second gusset plate leg, wherein the second base plate extends over and is attached to a frame member of the second fenestration unit meeting the second frame member at a corner of the second fenestration unit proximate the first end of the mull joint;wherein the second base plate is stacked with the first base plate when the channels on the first joining strip on the first fenestration unit mechanically interlock with the channels on the second joining strip on the second fenestration unit such that the second base plate is located between the first base plate and the second fenestration unit. 2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first joining strip extends over a majority of the length of the first frame member and the second joining strip extends over a majority of the length of the second frame member. 3. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pair of channels of the first joining strip extend along the entire length of the of the first joining strip and wherein the pair of channels of the second joining strip extend along the entire length of the of the second joining strip. 4. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the interior and exterior sides of the first and second frame members define a frame depth along the interior/exterior axis, and wherein the mechanically interlocking channels on the first and second joining strips are positioned such that a bottom of the channel on the first joining strip that is closest to the interior side of the first frame member is located within 20% or less of the frame depth from the interior side of the first frame member and a bottom of the channel on the second joining strip that is closest to the exterior side of the second frame member is located within 20% or less of the frame depth from the exterior side of the second frame member. 5. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the interior and exterior sides of the first and second frame members define a frame depth along the interior/exterior axis, and wherein the mechanically interlocking channels on the first and second joining strips are positioned such that a bottom of the channel on the first joining strip that is closest to the interior side of the first frame member is located within 15% or less of the frame depth from the interior side of the first frame member and a bottom of the channel on the second joining strip that is closest to the exterior side of the second frame member is located within 15% or less of the frame depth from the exterior side of the second frame member. 6. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein a first locator plate is positioned between the first joining strip and the first frame member, the first locator plate comprising a frame surface facing the first frame member and a joining strip surface facing the first joining strip, wherein the frame surface and the first frame member comprise complementary mating features configured to position the first locator plate in one selected location and orientation relative to the first frame member, and wherein the joining strip surface and the first joining strip comprise complementary mating features configured to position the first locator plate in one selected location and orientation relative to the first joining strip such that the first locator plate is configured to position the first joining strip in one selected orientation relative to the first frame member and in one selected location on the first frame member along the interior/exterior axis. 7. An assembly according to claim 6, wherein a second locator plate is positioned between the second joining strip and the second frame member, the second locator plate comprising a frame surface facing the second frame member and a joining strip surface facing the second joining strip, wherein the frame surface of the second locator plate and the second frame member comprise complementary mating features configured to position the second locator plate in one selected location and orientation relative to the second frame member, and wherein the joining strip surface of the second locator plate and the second joining strip comprise complementary mating features configured to position the second locator plate in one selected location and orientation relative to the second joining strip such that the second locator plate is configured to position the second joining strip in one selected orientation relative to the second frame member and in one selected location on the second frame member along the interior/exterior axis. 8. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first and second joining strips are separate and discrete lengths of a common profile. 9. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first and second joining strips consist essentially of one or more non-metallic materials. 10. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the assembly further comprises: an intermediate end plug cavity formed between the first joining strip and the second joining strip, wherein the intermediate end plug cavity comprises a first opening at the first ends of the first and second joining strips and a second opening at the second ends of the first and second joining strips; anda first end plug comprising a base and a cavity leg extending away from the base, wherein the cavity leg is positioned in the first opening of the intermediate end plug cavity when the base is positioned between the first and second frame members at the first ends of the first and second joining strips, wherein the cavity leg prevents disengagement of the mechanically interlocking channels on the first and second joining strips at the first ends of first and second joining strips. 11. An assembly according to claim 10, wherein the intermediate end plug cavity is located between the pairs of channels on the first and second joining strips. 12. An assembly according to claim 10, wherein the assembly further comprises a second end plug comprising a base and a cavity leg extending away from the base, wherein the cavity leg is positioned in the second opening of the intermediate end plug cavity when the base of the second end plug is positioned between the first and second frame members at the second ends of the first and second joining strips, wherein the cavity leg of the second end plug prevents disengagement of the mechanically interlocking channels on the first and second joining strips at the second ends of first and second joining strips. 13. An assembly according to claim 10, wherein a first end seal member is located between the first and second frame members at the first ends of the first and second joining strips, wherein the first end seal member is located in a first recess between the base of the first end plug and the exterior sides of the first and second frame members, wherein the first end seal member comprises a sealant port in fluid communication with a sealant reservoir positioned between the first and second frame members and the first ends of the first and second joining strips. 14. An assembly according to claim 10, wherein the assembly further comprises a gusset plate attached to the base of the first end plug, wherein the gusset plate spans the first end of the mull joint such that the base of the first end plug is located between the first ends of the first and second joining strips and the gusset plate, wherein the gusset plate is directly attached to the first and second fenestration units on opposite sides of the first end of the mull joint. 15. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first ends of the first and second joining strips terminate at a recessed location between the first frame member of the first fenestration unit and the second frame member of the second fenestration unit at the first end of the mull joint, wherein a first recess is formed at the first end of the mull joint between the first and second frame members; and wherein the assembly further comprises a locking clip located in the first recess between the first and second frame members at the first ends of the first and second joining strips, wherein the locking clip plug mechanically interlocks with the first gusset plate leg and the second gusset plate leg to restrict disengagement of the channels on the first and second joining strips at the first ends of first and second joining strips. 16. An assembly according to claim 15, wherein a retaining plug is positioned in the locking clip in the first recess. 17. An assembly according to claim 16, wherein the retainer plug comprises a sealant port in fluid communication with a sealant reservoir positioned between the first and second frame members and the first ends of the first and second joining strips. 18. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first ends of the first and second joining strips terminate at a recessed location between the first frame member of the first fenestration unit and the second frame member of the second fenestration unit at the first end of the mull joint, wherein a first recess is formed at the first end of the mull joint between the first and second frame members; and wherein the assembly further comprises a retainer plug located in the first recess between the first and second frame members at the first ends of the first and second joining strips, wherein the retainer plug mechanically interlocks with the first gusset plate leg and the second gusset plate leg to restrict disengagement of the channels on the first and second joining strips at the first ends of first and second joining strips. 19. An assembly according to claim 18, wherein the retainer plug is located in the first recess and comprises a sealant port in fluid communication with a sealant reservoir positioned between the first and second frame members and the first ends of the first and second joining strips. 20. An assembly according to claim 19, wherein the sealant port faces the same direction as the exterior sides of the of the first and second frame members. 21. An assembly according to claim 19, wherein the sealant port faces a direction aligned with the mull joint axis. 22. A compound fenestration assembly comprising: a first frame member of a first fenestration unit attached to a second frame member of a second fenestration unit along a mull joint having a first end and a second end, wherein the mull joint defines a mull joint axis extending along a length of the mull joint between the first and second ends of the mull joint,wherein the first and second frame members comprise exterior sides facing in the same direction and interior sides facing in an opposite direction from the exterior sides, wherein an interior/exterior axis extends between the interior and exterior sides in a direction transverse to the mull joint axis,wherein the first frame member faces the second frame member across the mull joint, wherein a separation axis extends through the mull joint between the first and second frame members, the separation axis extending in a direction transverse to both the mull joint axis and the interior/exterior axis;a first joining strip attached to the first frame member of the first fenestration unit, the first joining strip comprising a first end proximate the first end of the mull joint and a second end proximate the second end of the mull joint, wherein the first joining strip comprises a pair of channels extending along the length of the first frame member, wherein each channel of the pair of channels is aligned with the mull joint axis and opens towards the exterior side of the first fenestration unit;a second joining strip attached to the second frame member of the second fenestration unit, the second joining strip comprising a first end proximate the first end of the mull joint and a second end proximate the second end of the mull joint, wherein the second joining strip comprises a pair of channels extending along the length of the second frame member, wherein each channel of the pair of channels on the second joining strip is aligned with the mull joint axis and opens towards the interior side of the second fenestration unit such that each channel of the pair of channels on the first joining strip mechanically interlocks with one channel of the pair of channels on the second joining strip, wherein the mechanically interlocking channels prevent movement of the first frame member away from the second frame member along the separation axis, prevent movement of the first frame member towards the exterior side of the second frame member along the interior/exterior axis, and prevent movement of the second frame member towards the interior side of the first frame member along the interior/exterior axis;wherein the second joining strip is a mirror image of the first joining strip across the mull joint such that the channels on the second joining strip face the channels on the first joining strip and the channels on the second joining strip and the channels on the first joining strip open in opposite directions;a first flanged corner gusset attached to the first fenestration unit, wherein the first flanged corner gusset comprises: a first gusset plate leg positioned between the first joining strip and the first frame member of the first fenestration unit at the first end of the mull joint;a first base plate attached to the first gusset plate leg, wherein the first base plate extends over and is attached to a frame member of the first fenestration unit meeting the first frame member at a corner of the first fenestration unit proximate the first end of the mull joint;a first gusset flange attached to an edge of the first base plate and extending away from the first fenestration unit, wherein the first gusset flange is configured for attachment to an exterior surface of an opening in which the first fenestration unit is located; anda second flanged corner gusset attached to the second fenestration unit, wherein the second flanged corner gusset comprises: a second gusset plate leg positioned between the second joining strip and the second frame member of the second fenestration unit at the first end of the mull joint;a second base plate attached to the second gusset plate leg, wherein the second base plate extends over and is attached to a frame member of the second fenestration unit meeting the second frame member at a corner of the second fenestration unit proximate the first end of the mull joint;a second gusset flange attached to an edge of the second base plate and extending away from the second fenestration unit, wherein the second gusset flange is configured for attachment to an exterior surface of an opening in which the second fenestration unit is located. 23. An assembly according to claim 22, wherein the first joining strip extends over a majority of the length of the first frame member and the second joining strip extends over a majority of the length of the second frame member. 24. An assembly according to claim 22, wherein the pair of channels of the first joining strip extend along the entire length of the of the first joining strip and wherein the pair of channels of the second joining strip extend along the entire length of the of the second joining strip. 25. An assembly according to claim 22, wherein the interior and exterior sides of the first and second frame members define a frame depth along the interior/exterior axis, and wherein the mechanically interlocking channels on the first and second joining strips are positioned such that a bottom of the channel on the first joining strip that is closest to the interior side of the first frame member is located within 20% or less of the frame depth from the interior side of the first frame member and a bottom of the channel on the second joining strip that is closest to the exterior side of the second frame member is located within 20% or less of the frame depth from the exterior side of the second frame member. 26. An assembly according to claim 22, wherein a first locator plate is positioned between the first joining strip and the first frame member, the first locator plate comprising a frame surface facing the first frame member and a joining strip surface facing the first joining strip, wherein the frame surface and the first frame member comprise complementary mating features configured to position the first locator plate in one selected location and orientation relative to the first frame member, and wherein the joining strip surface and the first joining strip comprise complementary mating features configured to position the first locator plate in one selected location and orientation relative to the first joining strip such that the first locator plate is configured to position the first joining strip in one selected orientation relative to the first frame member and in one selected location on the first frame member along the interior/exterior axis. 27. An assembly according to claim 26, wherein a second locator plate is positioned between the second joining strip and the second frame member, the second locator plate comprising a frame surface facing the second frame member and a joining strip surface facing the second joining strip, wherein the frame surface of the second locator plate and the second frame member comprise complementary mating features configured to position the second locator plate in one selected location and orientation relative to the second frame member, and wherein the joining strip surface of the second locator plate and the second joining strip comprise complementary mating features configured to position the second locator plate in one selected location and orientation relative to the second joining strip such that the second locator plate is configured to position the second joining strip in one selected orientation relative to the second frame member and in one selected location on the second frame member along the interior/exterior axis. 28. An assembly according to claim 22, wherein the assembly further comprises: an intermediate end plug cavity formed between the first joining strip and the second joining strip, wherein the intermediate end plug cavity comprises a first opening at the first ends of the first and second joining strips and a second opening at the second ends of the first and second joining strips; anda first end plug comprising a base and a cavity leg extending away from the base, wherein the cavity leg is positioned in the first opening of the intermediate end plug cavity when the base is positioned between the first and second frame members at the first ends of the first and second joining strips, wherein the cavity leg prevents disengagement of the mechanically interlocking channels on the first and second joining strips at the first ends of first and second joining strips. 29. An assembly according to claim 28, wherein a first end seal member is located between the first and second frame members at the first ends of the first and second joining strips, wherein the first end seal member is located in a first recess between the base of the first end plug and the exterior sides of the first and second frame members, wherein the first end seal member comprises a sealant port in fluid communication with a sealant reservoir positioned between the first and second frame members and the first ends of the first and second joining strips. 30. An assembly according to claim 28, wherein the assembly further comprises a gusset plate attached to the base of the first end plug, wherein the gusset plate spans the first end of the mull joint such that the base of the first end plug is located between the first ends of the first and second joining strips and the gusset plate, wherein the gusset plate is directly attached to the first and second fenestration units on opposite sides of the first end of the mull joint. 31. An assembly according to claim 22, wherein the first ends of the first and second joining strips terminate at a recessed location between the first frame member of the first fenestration unit and the second frame member of the second fenestration unit at the first end of the mull joint, wherein a first recess is formed at the first end of the mull joint between the first and second frame members; and wherein the assembly further comprises a locking clip located in the first recess between the first and second frame members at the first ends of the first and second joining strips, wherein the locking clip plug mechanically interlocks with the first gusset plate leg and the second gusset plate leg to restrict disengagement of the channels on the first and second joining strips at the first ends of first and second joining strips. 32. An assembly according to claim 22, wherein the first ends of the first and second joining strips terminate at a recessed location between the first frame member of the first fenestration unit and the second frame member of the second fenestration unit at the first end of the mull joint, wherein a first recess is formed at the first end of the mull joint between the first and second frame members; and wherein the assembly further comprises a retainer plug located in the first recess between the first and second frame members at the first ends of the first and second joining strips, wherein the retainer plug mechanically interlocks with the first gusset plate leg and the second gusset plate leg to restrict disengagement of the channels on the first and second joining strips at the first ends of first and second joining strips. 33. A compound fenestration assembly comprising: a first frame member of a first fenestration unit attached to a second frame member of a second fenestration unit along a mull joint having a first end and a second end, wherein the mull joint defines a mull joint axis extending along a length of the mull joint between the first and second ends of the mull joint,wherein the first and second frame members comprise exterior sides facing in the same direction and interior sides facing in an opposite direction from the exterior sides, wherein an interior/exterior axis extends between the interior and exterior sides in a direction transverse to the mull joint axis,wherein the first frame member faces the second frame member across the mull joint, wherein a separation axis extends through the mull joint between the first and second frame members, the separation axis extending in a direction transverse to both the mull joint axis and the interior/exterior axis;a first joining strip attached to the first frame member of the first fenestration unit, the first joining strip comprising a first end proximate the first end of the mull joint and a second end proximate the second end of the mull joint, wherein the first joining strip comprises a pair of channels extending along the length of the first frame member, wherein each channel of the pair of channels is aligned with the mull joint axis and opens towards the exterior side of the first fenestration unit;a second joining strip attached to the second frame member of the second fenestration unit, the second joining strip comprising a first end proximate the first end of the mull joint and a second end proximate the second end of the mull joint, wherein the second joining strip comprises a pair of channels extending along the length of the second frame member, wherein each channel of the pair of channels on the second joining strip is aligned with the mull joint axis and opens towards the interior side of the second fenestration unit such that each channel of the pair of channels on the first joining strip mechanically interlocks with one channel of the pair of channels on the second joining strip, wherein the mechanically interlocking channels prevent movement of the first frame member away from the second frame member along the separation axis, prevent movement of the first frame member towards the exterior side of the second frame member along the interior/exterior axis, and prevent movement of the second frame member towards the interior side of the first frame member along the interior/exterior axis;wherein the second joining strip is a mirror image of the first joining strip across the mull joint such that the channels on the second joining strip face the channels on the first joining strip and the channels on the second joining strip and the channels on the first joining strip open in opposite directions; anda first locator plate positioned between the first joining strip and the first frame member, the first locator plate comprising a frame surface facing the first frame member and a joining strip surface facing the first joining strip, wherein the frame surface and the first frame member comprise complementary mating features configured to position the first locator plate in one selected location and orientation relative to the first frame member, and wherein the joining strip surface and the first joining strip comprise complementary mating features configured to position the first locator plate in one selected location and orientation relative to the first joining strip such that the first locator plate is configured to position the first joining strip in one selected orientation relative to the first frame member and in one selected location on the first frame member along the interior/exterior axis. 34. An assembly according to claim 33, wherein the first joining strip extends over a majority of the length of the first frame member and the second joining strip extends over a majority of the length of the second frame member. 35. An assembly according to claim 33, wherein the pair of channels of the first joining strip extend along the entire length of the of the first joining strip and wherein the pair of channels of the second joining strip extend along the entire length of the of the second joining strip. 36. An assembly according to claim 33, wherein the interior and exterior sides of the first and second frame members define a frame depth along the interior/exterior axis, and wherein the mechanically interlocking channels on the first and second joining strips are positioned such that a bottom of the channel on the first joining strip that is closest to the interior side of the first frame member is located within 20% or less of the frame depth from the interior side of the first frame member and a bottom of the channel on the second joining strip that is closest to the exterior side of the second frame member is located within 20% or less of the frame depth from the exterior side of the second frame member. 37. An assembly according to claim 33, wherein a second locator plate is positioned between the second joining strip and the second frame member, the second locator plate comprising a frame surface facing the second frame member and a joining strip surface facing the second joining strip, wherein the frame surface of the second locator plate and the second frame member comprise complementary mating features configured to position the second locator plate in one selected location and orientation relative to the second frame member, and wherein the joining strip surface of the second locator plate and the second joining strip comprise complementary mating features configured to position the second locator plate in one selected location and orientation relative to the second joining strip such that the second locator plate is configured to position the second joining strip in one selected orientation relative to the second frame member and in one selected location on the second frame member along the interior/exterior axis. 38. An assembly according to claim 33, wherein the first and second joining strips are separate and discrete lengths of a common profile. 39. An assembly according to claim 33, wherein the assembly further comprises: an intermediate end plug cavity formed between the first joining strip and the second joining strip, wherein the intermediate end plug cavity comprises a first opening at the first ends of the first and second joining strips and a second opening at the second ends of the first and second joining strips; anda first end plug comprising a base and a cavity leg extending away from the base, wherein the cavity leg is positioned in the first opening of the intermediate end plug cavity when the base is positioned between the first and second frame members at the first ends of the first and second joining strips, wherein the cavity leg prevents disengagement of the mechanically interlocking channels on the first and second joining strips at the first ends of first and second joining strips. 40. An assembly according to claim 39, wherein the intermediate end plug cavity is located between the pairs of channels on the first and second joining strips. 41. An assembly according to claim 39, wherein a first end seal member is located between the first and second frame members at the first ends of the first and second joining strips, wherein the first end seal member is located in a first recess between the base of the first end plug and the exterior sides of the first and second frame members, wherein the first end seal member comprises a sealant port in fluid communication with a sealant reservoir positioned between the first and second frame members and the first ends of the first and second joining strips. 42. An assembly according to claim 39, wherein the assembly further comprises a gusset plate attached to the base of the first end plug, wherein the gusset plate spans the first end of the mull joint such that the base of the first end plug is located between the first ends of the first and second joining strips and the gusset plate, wherein the gusset plate is directly attached to the first and second fenestration units on opposite sides of the first end of the mull joint.