A lintel, also known as a lintol, is a horizontal structural block that bridges the gap or opening between two vertical supports. In the case of windows, the lowest span is referred to as a sill, which, unlike a lintel, does not bear a weight to preserve the wall's stability. The part of the window frame on which the sash rests is called a jamb. The term "lintel" comes from the Dutch word for "beam," because these horizontal members are the beams that carry the roof load. The lintel is the most important member of the window frame because without it there would be no way to secure the sash. It provides support for the sash by covering the space below the window seat and between the floor and the bottom edge of the sash. There are several types of lintels including flat, canted, and cranked. Flat lintels are the simplest type and they consist only of one beam that spans the entire width of the opening. These lintels are used where appearance is not important since they are easy to install. Flat lintels are usually made of wood but they can also be manufactured out of steel or aluminum. Canted lintels have two beams that meet at a point about half-way up their height. This type of lintel is used when there is insufficient headroom to mount a flat lintel.