Thread count makes the fabric durable and comfortable. Two different types of thread count; some factors that help determine thread count. Shopping for bedding, and in particular, bedsheets is a challenging endeavor. There is an array of bedsheets made with various materials. But that hardly matters when you are buying something to make your bed more comfortable. So, the material in itself does not impact the comfort level of the bedsheet too much.
What truly impacts the comfort factor of bed sheets is the thread count.
So when you want to buy a bedsheet for your bed, always keep a keen eye on the sheet’s thread count. If you truly want something that will make your bedroom feel heavenly, do not compromise when it comes to thread count.
What Exactly Is Thread Count?
We talked a lot about why thread count is important, but what exactly is a thread count?
Simply put, thread count is the total number of vertical and horizontal threads present on one square inch area of a piece of fabric. There are two methods in which these horizontal and vertical threads are intertwined. One is a single ply, and the other is double-ply.
Single Ply
Single-ply means that a single yarn is twisted and made into a thread. And later, this single yarn thread is weaved to make a fabric. This makes threading much easier and less time-consuming. However, a single yarn-made thread is not very durable.
Double Ply
The process of double-ply is somewhat similar to a single-ply. The difference lies in the yarn. For a double-ply, you need to twist two yarns and turn them into thread. Since these use two yarns, this is much more durable.
When you hear that a fabric has a thread count of 600, that means that fabric either has 600 single-ply threads or 300 double-ply threads.
In general, a high-quality grey sheet set will have thread counts ranging from 200 to 800. But some fabrics might have a 1000 thread count.
What Determines Thread Counts?
There are a few key things that will impact the thread count of your sheet. These things include-
1. The Length Of The Fiber
The length of the fiber determines how strong and sturdy the whole fabric will be. A good example of a strong fiber fabric is Egyptian cotton. Since the fabric is already sturdy, it does not need a very high thread count to be comfortable. The most common Egyptian cotton has a thread count of 400.
2. Type Of Weave
There are two types of weaves. Sateen Weave and Percale Weave. A sateen weave is mostly used when a large piece of fabric is made. So, Sateen weave generally uses a high thread count.
On the other hand, Percale weave, where the threads are close to each other, does not cover a large range (of thread count). Since the threads are already close to one another, they do not require a high thread count.
Average Percale weavings are done with a thread count of 200.
3. The Material Of The Fabric
There is a wide range of materials that are used to make fabrics for bed sheets. For example, cotton, silk, polyester, bamboo, acetate, etc., are a few of the common materials used to make bed sheets.
Why do materials matter? Because different materials require different thread count to be comfortable. Generally, a more breathable material does not require a high thread count.
Why Do You Need To Consider Thread Count?
Yes, now onto the real point – why should you care about thread counts?
Thread counts directly impact the comfort factor of your bedsheets and the fabric you will be using. How? Well, a fabric with a higher thread count means that the fabric will be of higher quality. The fabric will remain crisp, breathable, soft to the touch, and will not have many-fold marks.
This makes them very comfortable. On the other hand, a lower thread count means that it will not be as breathable, so you will feel that your body is sweating under these sheets.
So it is always a good idea to opt for bed sheets with higher thread counts.
But that does not mean a higher thread count is always better. Because as the thread count goes high, so does the weight of the fabric. But if you are a fan of heavier bedsheets, then, by all means, you can choose bed sheets with higher thread counts.
But there is an upper limit to that. Even if a higher thread count seems better, any thread count over 1000 will drastically lower the bedsheet’s quality and breathability. This is why you will not find any bed sheets or fabric with a thread count of over 1000.
So, the right thread count for an average bed sheet or fabric should be 400. And as for those who like heavier fabrics, they could go for a thread count range from 600 to 800. Anything higher than that will start making the bed sheet a bit too heavy and might make you feel uncomfortable.
Relation Between Price And Thread Count
As you may have expected, the price of the bedsheet is directly linked to its thread count. Along with the fact that it is more difficult to make a higher thread count fabric, its added benefits of being more comfortable justifies the higher price. And the price can increase quite a lot depending on how high the thread count is.
So, if you are looking for a higher-thread-count comfortable set of sheets for your bed, be prepared to spend a pretty penny on them. This is one product where a higher price does signify better quality.
Final Thoughts
When you return home after a tiring day, you want to feel all your stresses melt away as you lie on your bed. And to feel the highest comfort, you will need a bedsheet with a higher thread count.
Besides bed sheets, you need to have a high thread count, even for the clothes you wear. We hope this article has told you everything you need to know about thread counts and why you should care about thread counts.
