Do you like soft and silky or crisp and cool? This is the question that will determine whether you will prefer Percale or Sateen sheet fabric.
If you prefer a cooler crisper sheet Percale is your fabric.
Percale gets its name from the region of Persia, it is a finer plain-weave fabric, meaning that the warp-lengthwise threads and the weft-widthwise threads. cross over and under each other one at a time. The threads are tightly woven, which results in a fine texture and finish.
Sateen getting its name for its Satin finish, on the other hand is softer, silkier, and more durable.
Woven with twice as many warp threads-lengthwise as weft-widthwise, Sateen thread is woven into the other threads resulting in a silky and softer more durable fabric.
This does not mean the Percale will not last as long as a Sateen.
Regardless of weave, by purchasing sheets using a long staple thread and a thread count of 600 or less will give you a fantastic sheet which, if treated with care, should be enjoyed for decades.