Kashmir has a humid climate with severe winters and mild summers. Rural buildings in Kashmir are constructed traditionally using local materials like stone, mud, bricks and wood. These vernacular buildings reflect the local culture and are optimized for the climate. They use thick stone and mud walls for insulation and pitched timber roofs to prevent snow accumulation. Urban areas have denser development with multi-story structures using timber frame construction like dhajji or brick masonry with timber bands called taaq. Traditional heating and cooking methods use efficient wood-burning stoves and water heaters built into walls.