Choosing the Warmest Comforter.
A duvet, also called comforter, is a fluffy blanket inside a shell case and enclosed within a duvet cover. It provides warmth to the sleeper.
To find a comforter perfectly warm and snugly as per your needs, you must consider some factors. Before buying a comforter check for its filling, its weight, the casing, the construction and the layering.
Filling – What is the Comforter Made of?
Based on the filling inside, two types of comforters are available to you – natural and synthetic. Natural comforter may contain wool, silk, down or even bamboo. Synthetic comforter typically consists of microgel. For warmth however, you are better off with natural comforter. If you prefer down comforter, that is, comforter composed of feathers then you must learn that not all feathers are created equal. For example, duck down is smaller and cooler. For more warmth you need goose down which is bigger and hotter.
Silk and bamboo are good insulators, but not as effective as down. Wool is also a great choice for warmth and insulation and is useful throughout the year.
Weight – What is the Volume of the Filling?
It is a simple logic – the more filling your comforter has, the heavier and warmer it will be. This rule works flawlessly with wool, silk and bamboo filling. But when it comes to down, things get a little complicated. For down to increase its insulation power, the feathers must create a loft to cover the space inside the duvet. It does not matter how much down you fill into the duvet if the feathers fail to occupy all the space properly. So, opt for luxury goose down to fill the duvet out wholly.
Casing – How is the Comforter Stitched?
The casing or the ticking of a comforter should have a high thread count, which is 220 and above. Anything below this thread count means that the comforter filling can escape (especially down). So, make your comforter casing “down proof” by ensuring it has the recommended thread count. Greater thread count also allows the feathers inside to loft more easily. A bamboo fabric is also good for casing as it provides impressive temperature control properties.
Construction – How is the Comforter Made?
The construction method also determines how warm a comforter is. The best construction method to get a warm duvet is the “baffle box” technique. A grid of boxes is stitched within a duvet which allows the down to spread evenly and loft easily. This ensures no cold spots are formed on the comforter. You may also opt for duvets made from another process called the “stitched box” method. A grid is stitched through both the layers of the casing. It is however not as effective as the “baffle box”.
Layering – What is Spread over the Comforter?
For sleepers who prefer a lot of warmth in bed, it is advisable to couple up your comforter with added layers. You can add a layer of flat sheet, coverlet or a jacquard duvet cover for extra warmth especially in the colder months. If a jacquard comforter cover is too hot for you, there are lighter covers available in the market too. Experiment a little to find what works best for you.
