A shower faucet refers to the shower head and sometimes the tub spout and other visible faucet handles and controls in the shower. Shower faucets and their accompanying controls are sometimes called shower trims, and they are the visible parts of your shower that you use every day. Unlike shower trim, most shower valves are mounted out of sight.

Shower valves are mostly sold separately from shower trim and accessories. Not all shower trim kits come with valves.

Because they work in tandem, the shower faucet (shower trim) and shower valve must be made by the same manufacturer and be the correct pair for proper installation to work properly.

One of the most common valves, the pressure balance valve (PB valve) automatically controls the balance of water pressure between hot and cold water. As water passes through a set of pistons and diaphragms, the valve detects changes in water pressure from the hot and cold water lines and restricts one side to ensure a steady water temperature (within 2-3 degrees).

Typically used with single-lever shower faucets, the PB valve turns left and right to control water pressure and temperature. As an industry standard, they are also the most affordable shower valve option.

One downside is that you can't control the amount of water on many models, although some designs have temperature memory and volume controls.

Whereas with a thermostatic valve, you can directly control the water temperature by pre-setting the temperature control on the valve, which provides scald protection. It keeps the desired temperature within 1 degree. You can also set an overall temperature limit for the valve. Plus, when you shower and use the handle to set your preferred temperature, you can get the same temperature the next time you shower without changing the temperature handle.

Yuhuan Difeng Brass-Plastics Industry Co., Ltd. is a Brass Shower Faucets manufacturer in China. The company specializes in Sink Faucets, Kitchen Faucets and other products.