What structure helps to support walls and roofs in construction?

In construction, beams are critical structural elements that provide support to walls and roofs. They are horizontal members designed to carry loads from the roof, floors, or other structural elements, distributing the weight and ensuring stability. Beams are typically placed across open spaces and support the vertical loads from above, relying on their strength to transfer these forces down to the columns or walls.

When beams are properly designed and positioned, they help to prevent sagging or structural failure, making them essential for maintaining the integrity of the building's framework. Their ability to handle bending forces under varying loads demonstrates their crucial role in construction.

While headers, joists, and columns also play important roles in building structures, they serve different functions. Headers are typically used to support the load above openings like doors and windows, joists are horizontal supports for floors and ceilings that span between walls or beams, and columns provide vertical support for beams and other structures. Each of these elements contributes to a building's overall strength and stability but beams are specifically tasked with supporting the weight of walls and roofs directly, making them the correct choice in this context.