More than 60 percent of all first-born children in Iceland are born before their parents are married. Most couples marry only after they are economically self-sufficient. Icelanders spend a large portion of their incomes on their houses, equipping them with imported television sets, refrigerators, electric stoves, and other appliances. Houses were once built of turf and stone in the country and wood in the cities. But most houses are now built with reinforced concrete, which is not easily damaged by earthquakes or by the high winds that sweep the coasts.
Many people paint the outside of their house a pastel color.
Natural hot water piped from hot springs is used throughout Iceland for hot tap water. It is also used to heat buildings and to heat greenhouses where fruits, vegetables, and flowers are grown. Icelanders eat more lamb and fish than do people in most other countries. Even hot dogs are made of lamb rather than beef or pork. Special Icelandic foods include blood sausages and boiled sheep's head.