What is the term for the framing installed to transfer load from cut ceiling joists or rafters?

The correct term for the framing installed to transfer load from cut ceiling joists or rafters is known as a header. Headers are horizontal members that support the weight above an opening, like doorways or windows, and they redistribute that load to the surrounding framing elements. In the context of cut joists or rafters, headers play a crucial role in ensuring structural integrity by providing a stable support system that can handle the load effectively.

Trimmers, commonly associated with framing around openings, also support the header but do so in a different manner by bearing the load from the header itself. Swales typically refer to drainage features rather than structural components, and struts are often used to provide lateral support but are not specifically for transferring vertical loads from cut joists or rafters. This distinction makes "header" the most appropriate term in this context.