When I did my research in selecting shower fixtures I couldn't tell the difference between pressure balance and thermostatic valve and after much reading I came to this conclusion. I'm only talking about the Pfister line since that's what I purchased. Pressure balance valves Normally work at a maximum of 2.5 gallons per minute which is what a standard shower head needs. They normally operate at full pressure when turned on and the single handle valves only adjust the temperature, not the volume, unless you purchase a higher end fixture. The temperature is controlled by way of adjusting the water pressure and attempts to maintain it with within +- 3-5 degrees and you will notice a drop in water pressure when a toilet if flushed etc., since it's attempting to balance the pressure to maintain temperature. There will not be a temperature setting on the trim kit as since the pressure balance valve has no idea what temperature the water is, it only knows where you adjusted the handle. Summer and winter the temperature to the valve will be different so you adjust accordingly. Based on the 2.5 gpm flow rate you can normally operate one item at a time unless you don't mind a reduction in water pressure. Thermostatic Valve; Pfister has a 7.0 gpm and a 12 gpm flow rate at 70 psi, to accommodate multiple shower heads, rain cans body spray to operate at once. They generally come with at least one volume control and you can add onto it as well as add diverter valves. The temperature is monitored by way of a wax ring and when it senses a change in temperature, not water pressure it adjusts up to 1-3 degrees without changing the pressure. Regardless of the water temperature coming into the valve, you adjust the temperature on the indicated ring and it remains that way any time of year. In other words, it has a temperature setting on the trim kit. Since shower heads are normally 2.5 gpm, body sprays 1.6 gpm, you can add up what you want to operate at one time as long as you don't go over the either 7.0 or 12.0 gpm. Again this is based on the Pfister pressure balance custom line.

I just paid 750.00 including shipping from Home and Stone for a Hansgrohe system for my kids bath. It included an ECO stationary showerhead, Eco handheld on an adjustable bar, hose, wall receptacle, thermostatic III control plus rough in (275.00), tub spout as well as a faucet and soap dispenser for the sink. I called Hansgrohe before ordering to make sure I had all the right pieces an proper part numbers. Hansgrohe has sets already assembled if they fit your need. I went for the individual pieces to get exactly what I wanted.

Be aware that after an extensive investigation we have been unable to find any evidence that Signature Hardware faucets are certified by any authorized independent testing facility as complying with North American safety, reliability and integrity standards as set out in ASME A112.18.1 (U.S.) or CSA B-125 (Canada) or with North American lead-free standards as specified in ANSI/NSF 61/9. Without these certifications a faucet may not be lawfully installed in any water system governed by any of the North American model plumbing codes: the Uniform Plumbing Code, the International Plumbing Code or the National Plumbing Code of Canada. The company has repeatedly told us that its faucets are certified, but when asked to produce the listing certificates for the faucets has repeatedly declined to do so, claiming that the information in the certificates is a "trade secret". As listing certificates are public documents, Signature Hardware has no reason to refuse to produce them if they do, in fact, exist. We have found no indication in any public data base that they do exist. If they did exist, they would be in one of the public data bases. We can find no record that Signature Hardware has filed required statements with the Department of Energy certifying that its faucets meet the maximum water flow limit for sink faucets required by the Energy Policy Act of 2.2 gallons per minute (GPM) or 2.5 GPM for shower faucets. A spokesman for the Department of Energy has told us that no such statements by Signature Hardware are in its files. Further, there is no evidence that Signature Hardware faucets, including shower faucets, have been tested by any third party testing organization and found to comply with the lead-free requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act or the separate lead-free state laws of California, Vermont, Maryland or Louisiana. Without these certifications you cannot possibly know whether a faucet is safe, reliable or free of lead and other dangerous substances, and you probably should not have it in your home -- certainly not if you have children. For more information on Signature Hardware faucets, see our Review and Rating of Signature Hardware faucets.

Stearling, ornate and heavy, polished to a soft sheen Poison Silk drapes French Doors A real fire place and a glass of wonderful port Hot and strong tea brewed in a thick brown pot, with milk and sugar Scones Oriental carpets Tapestry in faded colors Crown molding Detailed woodwork Carera marble A real christmas tree with white lights Mohair and cashmir (not my spelling) Burgundy wine Leather furniture without budda bellies Libraries Parlors Fabulous entry halls Antique quilts, both silk and flower sack warm colors Silk dresses Rubies on a red head :) Im feeling a bit homesick since I'm in hospital and we have an imminent death in the family so forgive me if I get a bit maudlin here... A new baby's smile A fluffy down comforter Comfortable pillows (ok I'm tired of sleeping in a chair) Cabernet, Burgundy and any other wine LOL A family, all together A meal cooked with love That fire place I mentioned earlier, with the family, baby and meal...and the burgundy :)