October 24, 2024

Percale vs Sateen Cotton Bed Linen

Continuing our series of articles breaking down the terminology around choosing the very best bed linen, we’re now going to focus on the differences between percale and sateen cotton.

We focus on using the highest quality cotton fibres for our bed linen, such as pure long-staple Egyptian cotton or extra-long-staple Supima cotton. Every factor from the capability and expertise of the weavers to the source of the cotton is carefully considered. Our bed linen is designed to stand the test of time by getting softer with each wash, staying whiter for longer and pilling less, while being incredibly breathable and supporting exceptional sleep.

We offer exceptional bed linen which is designed to stand the test of time while elevating your everyday sleep. You can read more about what truly makes the bed linen and what thread count means in our previous articles.

One important consideration, which we will discuss in detail below, is which weave of cotton should you opt for: percale or sateen?

What is the difference between percale and sateen cotton?

For the best bed linen for oneself, it is important to consider the weave of the cotton in conjunction with other key factors such as its design. Some of us are warm sleepers and others sleep cool, or differentiate depending on the climate. For an exceptional night’s sleep, choosing between sateen or percale cotton is the most important factor in determining the right bed linens.

Percale and sateen are types of weave for textiles. Below, we have outlined the key characteristics of each weave.

Percale cotton has a one-over, one-under weave, resulting in a more lightweight, crisp feel. The benefits of a percale weave are that it is especially durable and breathable as well as airy – a great option for warm sleepers, summer months or hot climates. It is more durable due to its more tightly woven structure; as such it tends to be more popular for hotel bed linens. A downside to percale is that some people can find its matte finish to feel rough or scratchy. A consequence of its more tightly woven structure is that it is more prone to creasing than sateen. However, we mitigate percale cotton’s likelihood to crease and its less smooth feel through the cotton selected for our bed linens (long- or extra-long-staple, making for overall smoother bed linen) plus the finishing processes utilised.

Sateen cotton has a four-over, one-under weave, meaning that there is more of the yarn exposed to the ‘top side’, making it very smooth and silky and less prone to wrinkling. It has a slight sheen to its appearance and is warmer to the touch. As such, it is best for colder climates, winter months or for those who sleep warm. It is less durable when compared with percale, as the weave is less tight, however bear in mind that our sateen sheets still have exceptional longevity as we exclusively use long- or extra-long-staple cotton, which is much more long-lasting in any case.

Should I choose percale or sateen bed linen?

The most important factor for choosing percale or sateen sheets is to understand whether you sleep warm or cold, although this may also change throughout the year, based on the climate. It is popular to use percale sheets in summer and sateen sheets in winter, for example. It is also important to consider your general personal preference. Some people simply dislike the feeling of sateen or percale . Most importantly, is to consider all of the benefits and disadvantages of the different weaves holistically, choosing the factors that mean the most to you. Some people strongly dislike a sheen on the cotton whereas others cannot stand creased sheets.

Ultimately, it’s down to personal preference. However, in our view, the most important factor for bed linens is the quality of sleep they support and consequently, it is imperative to consider whether you sleep warm or cold.