Sateen Bed Sheets vs. Satin Bed Sheets!

Sateen vs. Satin Bed Sheets.

The words Sateen and Satin, sound quite similar, some use the words interchangeably. However, Sateen Bed Sheets are different than Satin Bed Sheets.

Webster defines Satin as “a fabric (as of silk) in satin weave with a lustrous face and a dull back.”

Most satin bed sheets are not silk, they are a synthetic fabric, in most cases polyester. For some reason they are often red, which has to create decorating challenges.

Here are some of the things that people like about Satin Sheets

• They are soft.
• They are smooth & shiny.
• Satin Sheets have a cache of being luxurious.

Here are some of the shortcomings of synthetic Satin Sheets:

• Satin is essentially plastic.
• Plastic doesn't breathe well.
• Plastic doesn’t absorb body moisture - Cotton has excellent wicking properties, which is why we use it in our bath towels and undergarments.
• Satin easily snags.
• Satin doesn’t wash particularly well and it wrinkles easily.
• One needs to be careful when ironing Satin Sheets, as they can melt if exposed to too high of heat.
• Satin Sheets are not as durable as cotton sheets.
• Even if the sheets are made from silk, silk is not a great sheeting fabric as it is also a challenge to clean, snags easily and is hot.

Webster defines sateen as “a smooth, durable, lustrous fabric usually made of cotton in a satin weave.”

There are several types of weaves found in bed sheets, the most popular weaves found in cotton sheets are Percale or Sateen.

The following illustration shows the difference between Percale and Sateen.

• A Percale weave is a basket weave – whereas the weft yarn is woven over one warp yarn and under the next warp yarn and so on.
• A Sateen weave is produced on a Jacquard loom. The Jacquard loom articulates the placement of the weft yarn in concise relation to the warp yarns. What we mean by this is, the weft yarn can intentionally skip over one or more warp yarns.
• Sateen weaves are a looser weave, this results in the fabric having more drape and a supple feel.
• A Sateen weave generally allows more of the individual yarn surface to be exposed on the surface of the fabric, making it feel softer and smoother to the touch.
• Sateen weaves often have a shiny luster that is the result of fabric treatment that brings out a sheen not found in Percale weaves.
• By having the weft thread skip one or more warp threads, intricate decorative patterns can be woven into Sateen Sheets.

Shop for our incredible Italian Bed (Percale & Sateen) Bed Sheets Below.