Thread Count Explained: What You Need to Know Before Buying Sheets

The term “thread count” is thrown around a lot when it comes to buying sheets, but what exactly does it mean? Are higher thread count sheets better than lower thread counts? Should you choose a specific thread count range for different needs, such as night sweats, allergies, staying warm, luxury, or durability? Does the type of weave effect what kind of sheet should be used for which purpose?

We’re here to answer all your questions and make sure you know how to pick the perfect bed sheets for your needs. Let’s get started!

What Is Thread Count?

Thread count refers to the number of vertical and horizontal threads per square inch of fabric in a sheet set. Generally speaking, the higher the thread count, the softer and more durable your sheets will be—but that isn't always true. Some manufacturers falsely advertise their sheets' thread counts by blending cheaper materials into their fabrics. As such, some sets with higher thread counts may not actually be any better quality than sets with lower thread counts.

How Does Thread Count Affect Quality?

The difference between high thread count sheets vs. low is that higher numbers indicate more luxurious feel and more durable material. Higher thread counts also mean that each individual yarn strand is finer and thinner, resulting in softer fabrics that are less prone to wear and tear over time. A high-thread-count sheet will also last longer than a low-thread-count option. Additionally, certain weaves may require different ranges of thread counts for uses such as night sweats, allergies or staying warm; for example sateen fabric may need a higher thread count than percale fabric due to its lighter weight weave.

With cotton and polyester, anything above 500-600 thread count will likely be quite soft; with linen, you'll want 400-500; with bamboo, tencel, and silk it's more likely around 300-400; and satin will offer good results at around 200-300 thread count.

High Quality Sheet Materials

Cotton – This natural fiber has been used in textiles since ancient times and remains popular today because of its breathability and softness; however, it can be prone to wrinkles so look for wrinkle resistant fabrics if this is an issue for you.

Linen –  A fabric that has been around since ancient times and is made from flax fibers. It's known for being durable and breathable, as well as having antifungal properties. Linen has a classic look and feel that can add an elegant touch to any bedroom. It also helps regulate temperature, making it ideal for hot summers or cold winters.

Bamboo – Highly absorbent and hypoallergenic with natural antibacterial properties; bamboo fibers create soft fabrics that are both breathable and lightweight.

Tencel – Made from wood pulp derived from eucalyptus trees, tencel is highly sustainable with moisture wicking abilities making them great for those who suffer from night sweats or hot flashes.

Polyester – Synthetic fibers are cost effective and easy to care for but tend not to breathe as well as other materials on this list so they might not be best if you’re looking for something cool in the summer months or live in a warmer climate year round.

Satin – Shiny silky fabric made from various materials including silk or polyester; satin provides extra luxury but don’t forget about breathability!

Silk – Expensive but luxurious fabric made from protein fibers secreted by silkworms; silk offers maximum comfort with excellent temperature regulating abilities—perfect for those who suffer from night sweats or hot flashes!

How To Judge Quality For Different Sheet Materials

Cotton Quality

Cotton is an incredibly popular fabric choice when it comes to bedding as it is soft and breathable. You can tell if a sheet is made from quality cotton by feeling its texture; high-quality cotton should feel smooth against your skin and shouldn’t be too stiff or crunchy. Additionally, you should look out for labels that state that the fabric is “long-staple” or “Egyptian” cotton—these are typically indicative of higher-end cottons with fibers that are longer than average (which make them softer). Lastly, check the thread count—the higher the thread count, the more luxurious and durable the sheet will feel.

Linen Quality

Linen is known for having a lightweight yet strong construction—not to mention breathability. Quality linen sheets should feel cool to the touch and have a crispness about them due to their tight weave. Furthermore, if you rub the fabric between your fingers you should be able to easily tell which ones are higher-end; good linen sheets will not pill or snag easily and will remain in good condition for many years with proper care.

Bamboo Quality

Bamboo sheets are eco-friendly because they use less water than other fabrics during production. To recognize quality bamboo sheets, feel for a silky texture as well as checking for labels that indicate whether they have been ethically sourced (like Oeko-Tex certification). Additionally, make sure you purchase sets with deep pockets so that they fit tightly around your mattress without slipping off during sleep.

Tencel Quality

Tencel is renowned for its superb moisture management capabilities; these qualities make it ideal for people who tend to sweat while sleeping at night. When purchasing Tencel sheets, keep an eye out for labels such as “breathable” or “moisture wicking”—these ensure that you are getting a product of superior quality. Furthermore, look at how tightly woven the fabric is; better quality Tencel will be denser than lower grade versions which helps prevent pilling over time.

Satin sheets

Satin sheets are known for their smoothness and shine—but how can you tell which ones are of high quality? Look out for terms like “sateen weave” or “brushed silk” on labels; these indicate that manufacturers have used specific methods during production that bring out different properties in satin like strength or shine respectively. Additionally, check whether there has been any chemical treatment applied to improve colorfastness or wrinkle resistance as this can help determine whether a sheet set has been manufactured using premium materials or not.

Silk Quality

When judging quality silk sheets, look out for 100% pure mulberry silk fabric—this is considered one of the highest grades of silk available. Make sure you check the manufacturer's label to verify that only pure mulberry silk was used in production; some manufacturers may use lower grade or blended silks which won't offer quite as much softness or durability as pure mulberry silk sheets would. Also look out for double stitched hems on the edges—this helps ensure your sheets stay in place all night long!

Polyester

Polyester offers great durability but poor breathability so it isn't always suitable depending on what kind of sleeper you are! If you do decide to go down this route then make sure there is some type of moisture control technology included in your purchase such as Coolmax® fibers which help keep sweat away from your skin while sleeping at night. Additionally - look out for terms such as ‘anti-pill' or 'wrinkle free' which indicates superior manufacturing processes have been used when making these products!

Weave Types

Percale has a crisp feel that holds up well over time.

Sateen has a softer feel because it is constructed with a combination of vertical and horizontal threads woven together.

Twill provides an extra layer of warmth because its diagonal weaving pattern creates extra fabric layers.

Jersey knit is cozy and soft thanks to its single-knit construction.

Muslin is lightweight and breathable due to its tightly woven structure.

Flannel provides extra warmth with its double-brushed surface that traps heat close to the body.

High Thread Count vs Low Thread Count Sheets

Typically speaking, anything over 400-500 is considered a high-thread count sheet while anything below 200 is considered to have a lower thread count sheet. That said, some experts argue that anything over 800 is actually too high because it can cause your sheets to become stiffer due to too much material being tightly woven together.

High-thread count sheets tend to be soft and durable; however they are usually more expensive than low-thread count sheets and may be prone to wrinkling or snagging easily. Low-thread count sheets often have a rougher feel but are less expensive and tend to wrinkle less than higher-thread count fabrics.

Sheet Count Quality Chart

Brooklinen Thread Count

Brooklinen Thread Counts Explained

Brooklinen sheets are among the most luxurious in the market, offering a superior quality compared to other sheet sets. This is because Brooklinen only uses premium long-staple cottons for their sheets, which has a smoother feel and greater durability than other fabrics used in other sheet sets. Additionally, Brooklinen also employs loom weaving technology that further reinforces their cotton sheets' quality and strength. As such, Brooklinen sheets can have higher thread counts than many of its competitors without sacrificing quality.

The difference between thread counts between Brooklinen and other sheet sets can be attributed to the materials used in each product. While some brands may opt for cheaper fabrics or blend different materials together to create false thread counts, Brooklinen focuses on creating a product that is designed to last with a high level of comfort and luxury in mind. With its premium long-staple cotton and loom weaving technology, Brooklinen is able to create sheets that are both softer and more durable than those found on cheaper sheets with lower thread counts.

As you can see from our charts above, there are many differences between high and low thread count sheets—it all depends on what kind of sleep experience you're looking for! If you're looking for luxury or durability at an affordable price point then Brooklinen's range of 270 – 490 threads per inch may be right up your alley! But if you have allergies or live in warmer climates then you may want something with lower threads per inch like their Classic Percale Sheets which come in at 270 – 280 threads per inch. Ultimately though it all depends on personal preference; so choose wisely! Good luck out there bedsheet shoppers.