Why Thread Count Matters

You’ve probably heard that thread count is an important consideration when buying bed sheets. But do you actually know why that’s the case? Many retailers don’t discuss thread counts or their manufacturing techniques. At Elegant Strand, however, we love to explain the benefits of higher thread count bedding.

It’s not just a marketing gimmick—the thread count of sheets has meaning, one that can make a difference in how well you sleep at night. Sheets with a high thread count offer luxurious comfort, but that’s just one of the benefits. 

But before we dive into the reasons why you should invest in these high-quality sheets, let’s talk about what is a thread count and how it factors into the overall construction of your bed linens.

What Does Thread Count Mean?

Bed sheets can be made from many types of fabrics, from combed cotton to bamboo. Thread count is how those materials are woven together during the manufacturing process. So no matter what fabric sheets are made from, they all have a thread count.

Sheets are crafted using two types of weaves. The vertical weave is called the warp, and the horizontal weave is the weft. Thread count represents the total number of warp and weft threads woven together in one square inch of fabric.

Thread counts generally range from 200 to 1,000. Typically, you’ll get a higher thread count when the fabric is created with exceptional fibers. Extra fine and extra long fibers make a tighter weave, so luxury bedding manufacturers can fit more threads in a square inch than companies that use a thicker fiber in their materials.

The type of weave will also influence the thread count. The two most common sheet weaves are percale and sateen. Percale feels crisp and light because it often uses larger yarns in a one under, one over weave pattern. Thread counts for percale sheets usually range from 200 to 400. Sateen sheets, on the other hand, used a denser weave with four threads over, one thread under, for a thicker sheet that can run between 300 and 1,000 for thread count.

Finding the best thread count for your bed linens will depend on your particular preferences. For instance, 400 thread count percale is a good choice if you tend to sleep hot, so you wouldn’t necessarily need a 750 thread count like you’d get with a sateen sheet. 

Now that you know more about sheets and thread count meaning, let’s turn to why these sheets are worth purchasing.

Benefits of High Thread Count Sheets

A high thread count sheet set gives you countless nights of enjoyment. Our luxury linens offer:

• Comfort: The higher the thread count, the softer the sheet. This sumptuous feel is like a caress against your skin, and you’ll sleep better wrapped in soft sheets compared to lower thread count linens that may feel coarser to the touch. Good sheets can help you get a good night’s sleep—and that’s great for your health.
• Durability: Bed sheets see a lot of daily use, so you want the longevity afforded by higher thread counts. Because we use extra long cotton fibers in our sheets, they’re less likely to pill and fuzz. Cotton is also a durable fabric that can be less likely to rip or tear when you follow proper care instructions for your bed linens.
• Quality: Not all high thread count sheets are alike. You can buy sateen sheets with a 600 thread count, for instance, but if the craftsmanship and fine fabrics aren’t there, you won’t get the quality you’d expect. That’s why we source only the best combed cotton fibers for our sheets and weave those fibers together using impeccable techniques. 
• Stylish design: We take a classic, timeless approach when designing our sheet sets. They take inspiration from the chic, cosmopolitan cities of Europe, with distinctive touches such as hand-guided embroidery accents to an appealing palette of neutrals. 

Shop Elegant Strand for the Finest Sheets

We understand why thread count matters. It’s why we’ve designed and engineered our bed linens to be the best on the market. We offer high thread counts, but the luxury of our sheets is more than just a number—it’s the softness of our cotton, the workmanship of the weave, the artistry of the design. 

Explore our selection of bed linens. You can purchase flat or fitted sheets on their own, or shop for bedding sets that include both kinds of sheets as well as pillowcases. All of our bedding purchases come with a 30-day, risk-free trial. 

Enjoy the luxury of beautifully made, high thread count sheets. Shop Elegant Strand today for unparalleled bedding collections that are like a dream come true.