In which construction component would you find the highest member in a frame house?

In a frame house, the highest member is the ridgeboard. This component is found at the peak of the roof and plays a key role in the structure's stability. The ridgeboard serves as a horizontal board that connects the tops of the two roof rafters, which rise upward from the walls of the house. Its position at the top of the frame means it is crucial for supporting the roof's slope and ensuring that the weight is evenly distributed along the rafters.

The plate, which is situated at the top of the wall framing, provides a base for the rafters to rest upon, but it is lower than the ridgeboard. Studs are vertical framing members that form the walls, and are also lower than the ridgeboard. Joists are horizontal members that support the floor system and are typically located at a lower elevation than both the ridgeboard and the plate.

Understanding the roles of these components helps clarify why the ridgeboard is considered the highest member in a frame house.