Longitudinal beam along the top of a pitched or vaulted roof. The ridge beam is a load-bearing structural member of the roofing framework, holding the upper ends of the rafters and transferring the roof’s load downward onto the supporting posts or walls. It is distinct from the ridge board — a non-load-bearing element that connects the rafters on each side. One of the main advantages of using a ridge beam is that it allows for large roof spans with minimal internal supports; it is typically made from wood or steel, and engineered based on design requirements such as the span and pitch (roof angle). It is commonly used in roofing systems where additional structural support is needed to prevent sagging or deformation, such as roofs with a shallow pitch; roofing in regions with heavy snow or wind loads; and vaulted ceilings, which lack joists, or horizontal cross-beams connecting the bases of the rafters.