Houses in the comparatively wealthy Cibao Valley are made of solid palm board or pine and are usually painted and adorned, with contrasting shutters and lintels. Roofs are most often covered with corrugated metal sheets, however thatched roofs are also common in impoverished families. Floors are usually made of wood, although some houses have dirt floors or concrete slabs. In the mountains, houses are usually built out of stone or cinder block. Some have wooden beams inside to help with insulation from the heat or cold. Others have plastic or glass windows instead. Most houses in the mountains have dirt floors or packed earth floors where animals are kept as well. There are many types of houses in the Dominican Republic, ranging from large mansion-like homes on large estates to small one-room structures. However, regardless of size, all houses in the DR will have four things in common: a roof, walls, plumbing, and electricity. If you are given an opportunity to see how the poor live, then take it! It may change your mind about those who are less fortunate.