Structural

Ridge Beam vs. Ridge Board

Structural · definition

A ridge beam structurally carries rafter loads (required for vaulted/cathedral ceilings); a ridge board is only a non-structural nailing point. Confusing them is a serious error.

Source: HUD — Residential Structural Design Guide, Second Edition

  • Beam

    A primary horizontal member that carries loads from joists or framing across a span to posts or walls. Opening up a floor plan usually me…

  • Rafter

    A sloped structural member running ridge to wall that supports the roof deck in stick-framed (non-truss) roofs.

  • Rim Joist / Band Joist

    The joist running around the perimeter of a floor frame, closing the joist ends and transferring loads. A key air-sealing and structural…

  • Rebar

    Steel reinforcing bar embedded in concrete to carry tensile loads concrete cannot. Size, spacing, and cover are engineered, not arbitrary.

  • Shear Wall

    A braced/sheathed wall that resists lateral wind and seismic forces. Removing or opening one without an engineered replacement compromise…

  • Radon Mitigation

    A sub-slab depressurization system venting soil gas (radon) outside. Often integrated with slab/crawl work; radon is a recognized health…

  • Shoring

    Temporary supports that carry structural load while a permanent member is replaced or repaired (e.g., during beam or wall work).

  • Push Pier

    Hydraulically driven steel pier sections that transfer foundation load to deep load-bearing strata to halt or lift settlement.

Where this term fits in a remodel

The pillar guides set terms like this one in context — what the work involves, what drives its cost, and where it sits in the sequence of a project. Pricing a specific house takes a defined scope and an on-site assessment.

Remodeling guides → Contact the publisher →