We installed the shower door to swing inward and outward. After showering, while fan is running we leave the door pushed in, and the transom window tilted, so that any drips go onto shower floor instead of bathroom floor. Floors are existing hard woods, so this was important to us. The only drawback the installer told us, which we were fine with, is that we won't get as tight of a seal for steam. The installer did a good job with the measuring and the seals because it stops at the curb perfectly; we'd have to continue pushing on the door to make it keep going to open outward. We almost never open it outward though; only if cleaning and want the door out of the way. We like it this way; easy reach-in to turn water on is a plus.

I did the sliding doors and really the new frameless sliding doors aren't that huge of an issue to clean. I chose the sliding door because of space issues too, plus in my other home which had a swing out door, water was always on the floor from where it dripped when the door was opened. I used to dart out of the shower to minimize the time the door could drip on the floor. I agree the frameless swing doors are more attractive, but I've heard many stories about water leaking out of those doors if the curb isn't slanted properly etc... I just decided to avoid the water on the floor and potential leak issues and trade that off with wiping the track periodically.

My master (HAH...tiny, tiny) bathroom door currently opens in. Although it does not block access to anything as it opens against a wall, I am planning to change it so that it will open into the bedroom instead. My reasoning is that I am attempting to make the bathroom less claustrophobic and am going to install a window on the wall that the door would block when open. I have built a ceiling to floor, wall length closet in the bedroom and the door will open into the end space of that closet so that it will look more like a hallway into the bathroom, not just a door opening into the bedroom space. Make sense? I gave up coffee recently....just not fair. I love the look of the interior barn doors, however in my case it would take up most of the only wall I have in the bathroom...although I suppose one could put towel bars on it...I may have to rethink this...

When choosing a hinge styled pair of doors. The biggest issue is clear spanned swing area for the doors to operate. If they swing in are they going to take up to much room in this area? If they swing out will they knock someone down the steps? These are the questions you must ask yourself before you make the purchase. A glider doesn't require any clearance so it offers a great alternative for close quarters. French doors on the other hand need to swing one way or the other. As for the screen issue that's easy. Pella doors and windows were born from the Rollscreen company back many years ago. That's what started their entire enterprise. The phantom screen installs inside the unit either way. Even their gliding unit has an interior sliding screen. Andersen just released their new invisible screen which is amazing in itself. I totally agree with DKB on pointing out the multi point locking of doors. We install doors and windows daily and I always push products which offer a higher security to the consumer. It's much easier to sleep at night knowing your safe. Marvin also offers a great door system. I'm a big Pella fan so I'm biased. So spend some time to go and check out the products displayed somewhere before you buy. They're all great products!!