Cotton primarily comes in two different weave styles, percale and sateen. Both sheets are incredibly reliable, but they have distinct pros and cons. The wrong sheet might hinder your sleep rather than aid it. Being in the business of producing and distributing bed linens for over a century, we at Pioneer Linens are happy to help! Aside from our in-store staff being able to find you the perfect bed sheet, both in comfort and style, we can also help you learn what type of weave style you should be looking for.
What is a Sateen Sheet?
A sateen sheet is given it’s weaving from 3-4 yarns going over while a single yarn goes under. It has a light sheen, with a very smooth appearance. Its tight weave also makes it resistant to wrinkles and rarely needs an iron.
Because of the extra yarn being used on the top, it often feels heavier than percale sheets do. It’s tight weave also makes it so that it traps heat more than a percale sheet does, which depending on your state’s climate, can be a positive or negative feature. Sateen sheets are known for tearing once they get older.
Sateen sheets can be made with cotton, polyester, rayon, and lyocell, all of which can vastly affect its performance. You can find sateen sheets in a variety of prices depending on which of these materials are used.
Advantages of Sateen Sheets
Because of the sateen weave using more yarn than the percale weave, sheets that use it are resistant to wrinkles. These sheets also have a smooth texture, making it much softer than normal. Lastly, sateen sheets have an appealing sheen, and drape very easily.
Disadvantages of Sateen Sheets
The appealing sheen on sateen sheets will eventually fade from age, and as time passes rips or snags can start to form. Sateen also tends to be a lot hotter than percale sheets. With the sheet’s slippery texture, its material could easily bunch up, which can create even MORE heat in those areas.
What is a Percale Sheet?
Weaving on a percale sheet is defined as a one-over one-under style! This makes it feel crisp and smooth despite its low thread count, usually being at a minimum of 200. This is because the weaves are made extra tight, but it still remains breathable. Because of its breathability, the percale sheet is often cited as being the best weave choice for hot sleepers.
Percale sheets can be made from the same materials as sateen sheets (cotton, polyester, rayon, and lyocell), and just like sateen, each material can affect the sheet’s performance. Because of its tight weaves, percale sheets tend to get softer after being washed repeatedly. With how tightly knit percale weaves are, they tend to be far more durable in the long run.
Advantages of Percale Sheets
As stated before, the percale sheets’ use of a tight one-over one-under weave makes it extra durable yet breathable, and its minimal use of yarn threads to complete the weave makes it easy to clean. The sheets soften over time, making it ideal as a long-term investment.
Disadvantages of Percale Sheets
Because of its use of minimal threads, percale sheets are more susceptible to wrinkling. Another downside is that even though it will soften overtime, it starts off with a crisp feel, though some might deem it as positive.
Sateen Sheets vs Percale Sheets
Both bedding options have their own advantages that make them both very appealing, but only in different situations. Sateen’s silk texture is great for those with sensitive skin, and in colder climates that extra heat will certainly be appreciated. Its resistance to wrinkles is also a reason some may prefer it.
If you’re a hot sleeper, you might prefer to use percale sheets, since they have a lighter use of yarn. You also don’t have to worry as much about it’s wear and tear over time, plus it’s much easier to wash and take care of.
Overall, both weave styles are very budget friendly, so the only verdict for which is better should be the advantages and disadvantages listed.
What to Expect from Pioneer Linens
Our team is dedicated to providing you with the best service possible. That means helping you find the brands and styles you want, for the product you are looking for. If you have any more questions or need consultation about any of our sateen or percale sheets, call us at 800-207-5463 or email customerservice@pioneerlinens.com.