Home building guide · Roofs and ceilings

Rafter

A sloping beam that runs from the ridge to the edge of a pitched roof.

Rafter: illustration
Illustration

What it is

Rafters carry the roof covering, usually through purlins or battens. They are made of timber, steel or RCC.

Key points

  • Run from ridge to eaves
  • Support purlins and battens
  • Timber, steel or concrete
  • Spacing depends on the roofing

Why it matters

Rafter size and fixing decide how well a sloped roof stands up to wind and weight.

How Elamentt handles it

Sloped roofs are designed with the right rafters for the covering chosen.

Next step

See it on your
own plot.

Our studio turns your plot size into a plan, a 3D model built stage by stage, and a list of the cement, steel, bricks and sand it needs. Or ask an engineer.