Bedding Thread Counts

To What Does the Thread Count of Sheets Refer?
One of the most interesting trends in the bedding industry is that thread counts are gaining in perceived importance, yet many people don't really know what they are. We'll begin by clearing up the confusion: a thread count is the number of horizontal and vertical threads in one square inch of fabric. But the real question should be: are thread counts important?

Why Buy This American Ply?
A survey by Cotton Incorporated found that in 2005, over one-third of bedding consumers listed thread count as the most important criterion determining which sheets they bought. But thread count alone is not a guarantee of quality or durability.

Several factors go into determining thread counts. One of them is ply. Ply refers to the number of strands used in each fabric thread. A single thread is known as single-ply. Two pieces of thread twisted together is called two-ply. But here's the thread count secret: for two-ply sheets, both strands of each fabric thread are included in the thread count. The result is that sheet thread counts can vary anywhere from 80 to 1,000.

More important than thread count is knowing how thread count is obtained. If a sheet is single-ply with a high thread count, it's made of finer or smaller threads, meaning the sheet will be smoother and softer, but also more fragile. Two-ply sheets with high thread counts will be heavy but also durable.

Which Thread Count Is Best?
A high thread count is not equivalent to comfort. Some materials such as flannel or linen have naturally low thread counts. Most of the sheets you'll find in bedding stores have thread counts between 180 and 320. Those thread count numbers probably offer the best combination of comfort, endurance, and affordability.

Sheets with extremely high thread counts will be more expensive, but there is a point where increased density no longer equals a better night's sleep. Weave, finish, and fiber quality are just as important. After all, black holes are the densest objects in the universe, but nobody would be comfortable sleeping in one.