Most Expensive Sheets for Beds

Thread Count and Weave Quality

• When shopping for sheet sets, you might first notice the thread count on the packaging. Thread count is the number of threads per square inch of fabric. Some sheets can have as low as a 100-thread count, and others have thread counts of up to 1,000. The higher the thread count, the more expensive the sheet set. A higher thread count requires an extensive weaving process, no matter the type of fibers used. A higher thread count and price, however, does not always indicate a softer sheet, according to Real Simple. Sheets that use special looms, such as damasks and Jacquards, cost more because of the intricate weaving techniques required. Though these complicated weaving techniques cause sheets to be more expensive, these types of sheets are less soft than sheets made with traditional weaving techniques, according to Real Simple.

Fiber Quality

• High quality, long fibers cost more than short fibers. Fibers such as Egyptian long-cotton, Pima, supima and silk are high quality fibers found in expensive sheet sets. Fibers such as cotton-polyester and regular cotton are considered low quality fibers and are found in cheaper sheet sets.

Dyes

• After a sheet is woven, a pattern or dye is applied to give it a custom look. Inexpensive sheet sets are bulk dyed using basic fabric color and printing. These types of sheets require multiple washes to become soft and comfortable for sleep. Hand-dyed yarns that are custom woven into sheets, on the other hand, are soft when first removed from the packaging but also more expensive. Jacquard sheets, for example, are more expensive because they're made with yarn-dyed fabric and woven using a special loom.

Sheet Finishes

• A sheet is not finished after it is woven and dyed. A sheet must have a finish applied to prevent fuzzing on its surface, add luster, prevent wrinkles and increase the strength of the material. Cheap sheet sets use a variety of chemicals that include chlorine and silicon. Expensive sheets use a pure-finish. According to Real Simple, pure-finish sheets are prone to wrinkling, because they do not have chemical additives to prevent it. Organic sheets are another type of non-chemically treated linen. Organic linen makers grow the cotton for their linens without pesticides and treat the finished product without chemicals. Not only are these types of sheets indicated by their higher price, but the label on the sheet set will say whether the sheets are "organic," "chemical free," "all natural" or "pure-finish" sheets so that the consumer knows they were treated without chemicals.