Biography Wikipedia
from Wikipedia:
A rafter is one of a series of sloped structural members (beams), that extend from the ridge or hip to the downslope perimeter or eave, designed to support the roof deck and its associated loads.
Design
A type of beam, which supports the roof of a building. In home construction, rafters are typically made of wood. Exposed rafters are a feature of traditional roof styles.
Applications
In many buildings, rafters have been replaced by engineered trusses (trussed rafters), normally because of span limitations and/or roof load (weight from above).
