They moved from one room to another or by way of the gallery, since hallways were not used. Large walk-through windows or French doors allowed ventilation and easy access from the gallery to the interior. Operable shutters controlled direct sun and winds, while still providing views and daylight. High ceilings allowed the heat to move up and away from occupants where it was then exhausted to the exterior through transoms. Fireplaces were located on interior walls where their heat could be retained in the house's interior.
Fireplaces located on exterior walls allows the heat to be partially lost to the outside.
Typically, in the summer the house was opened at night to dissipate heat that had collected during the day. The house was then closed in the morning, and the east-side shutters closed also to prevent the early morning heat gain from the sun. The house was protected throughout the day on the south by porches and on the west by shutters that were closed during the late afternoon. Air brought into the house was coolest if it had passed over a grassy ground cover shaded by trees. This air-cooling effect was one of the functions of the alley of trees leading to the house found in Louisiana.