Frequently Asked Questions:
What is meant by fill power?
"Fill Power" is a term used in the Down Bedding industry that tells the quality of the down filling material. The higher the fill power is, the better the down material is. To test the filling power, one ounce of down is compressed with a pre-determined weight. When the weight is removed, the down expands and the space it occupies is measured in cubic inches. A comforter with a high fill power won't weigh as much as one with a lower fill power, but will be just as warm as the insulating power is tremendous! You will remain extremely comfortable all throughout the night when you use down comforters & covers that have high fill power.
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500+ Fill Power
Generally from ducks that are from China and a by- product of the food industry. The down is removed from relatively young ducklings. The down is less mature and the down has less lofting ability. It is the least expensive, and the life span is also much shorter. It is used in many winter clothing items. It also makes inexpensive filler for pillows and economy priced comforters.
575+ Fill Power
This White Goose Down is from several sources. It can come from Asia, Europe or North America. It is usually a by-product of the food industry. Since the geese are usually raised for food, the down comes from younger, less mature birds, hence the smaller clusters of down. The down is less lofty, so it takes more down to fill up a comforter. These comforters are less expensive and the life span of the comforters is considerably shorter due to the less mature clusters.
650+ Fill Power
This White Goose Down from a cold Climate, producing large cluster down. Geese from these areas are raised for both down production, and for food production. The clusters produced are slightly smaller than the higher fill power down shown below.
Still considered to be an excellent quality down and provides a warm lofty product. These comforters, with proper care should last twenty years or more. This down provides an excellent value, combining top quality and long life with moderate prices.
700+ Fill Power
Also very high quality, this down is both strong and durable. Generally hand harvested; the Down is Collected from Older, Mature Geese that are raised in colder regions for use in down production, thus creating the more desirable large down clusters. This goose down is very durable and given proper care, the down will become a treasure to pass down through the family .
800+ Fill Power
Considered the finest Goose Down available. Collected from Older, Mature Geese that are raised in very cold climates specifically for down production, thus creating the most desirable Very Large Down Clusters. The down is harvested from the live geese several times a year.
The down is hand harvested from the chest area causing no harm to the geese. After each harvest, the down grows back stronger and fuller. This goose down is the most durable and given proper care, should last a lifetime.
***Very Important: Because of the live harvesting only a small amount of down is collected from each goose, that fact combined with the very large clusters produced, make this down more expensive than other types. So please do not be fooled by those on ebay claiming to sell hand harvested white goose down at a price that is impossible. I can sell you that same item at a lower price than they can, only I will not tell you it is something that it is not! That I Promise…
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Does more filling weight mean the product should be more expensive?
If the product has a higher fill power, it will be more expensive for the same weight of down. When products have a lot of fill and are heavier, they do not necessarily have to be more expensive. The quality of the down fill and the shell material play a very important part in determining the price of a product and quality of a product.
Why would I want a higher fill power?
In order to keep you warm and comfortable, the down needs to trap and create an insulating value. The higher the fill power is, the more air the down will trap, resulting in a warmer product which will allow for a comfortable sleep. If two products have the same weight of fill and one has a filling power of 550 and the other one has a filling power of 800, the warmer and more lofty looking product will be the "800". The 800 fill power down will last up to FOUR times longer than the 550 fill power material!
What is “Net” Down?
There is no such thing as “100%” for any kind of down on the market, with the possible exception of hand harvested down. Down content is measured as “Net” Down Clusters. By law, you can describe a product that has only 75% goose down and 25% feather as “Goose Down”. Almost all goose down products on the market are this way to keep production costs down A 100% goose down product is very rare, because in reality, no machine has yet been made that can completely separate down from feathers.
What is a “Baffle Box”?
A baffle box is a style that allows maximum loft of the down filling material and eliminates the down from shifting. The baffle box comforter is separated into three dimensional “boxes” that contain the down fill. This keeps the weight of the down evenly distributed over your entire body and allows you to sleep throughout the night without interruption. The baffle box comforter is by far the best style on the market today for down filled products.
What is meant by thread count?
Thread count is the sum of the warp and weft of the threads per inch. The higher the "thread count" is the tighter woven the material is. The material will have a smoother and softer feel to it when it has a higher thread count. Covers with too low of a thread count may leak the down over time.
What is the difference between goose down and feathers?
Down is a three dimensional cluster that can trap air in its filaments. Feathers are two dimensional and have very little ability to trap air. Feathers are best used in pillows to increase the firmness.
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