The design of a machiya is also well-suited for the climate of the area; with cold winters and often exceedingly-hot, humid summers, multiple layers of sliding doors (fusuma and shōji) can be added or removed to moderate the temperature inside. closing all the screens in the winter offers some protection from the cold, while opening them all in the summer offer some respite from the heat and humidity. The sliding doors which made up the walls in a machiya, as in most traditional Japanese buildings, provide a great degree of versatility. Doors can be opened and closed or removed entirely to alter the number, size, and shape of rooms to suit the needs of the moment.