Tell it to me straight, guys

[dr.girlfriend]

So, we're having our doggie door replaced with one that is collar-activated.  Because our existing door has panels and the new door is bigger, it wouldn't sit flush.  I decided I'd rather replace it with a flat door so the new doggie door will sit flush.

It's going in the wood-paneled mudroom here, replacing the door you see here. 



Since the replacement door was unfinished and I thought I'd have a hard time matching the stain of the paneling anyway, I thought maybe I could do a cool pop of color (you only see the door if you're in the doorway so if it turned out bad it won't be disastrous, I thought).

So, here's where it all went wrong.  I got this stain called "Vintage Aqua" which I thought would fit the bill.  But, the first coat went on completely watery and transparent.  The second coat was so opaque it just looked like paint, only it was a flat, light, baby-blue turquoise:



I had the bright idea of trying to "glaze" it with a dark brown stain.  I *think* I like it better -- at least you can see the wood grain now -- but I can't tell if I'm just in insane-DIY-rationalization mode or if it actually does look okay, and not just dirty.  Here it is with only half of the pic glazed, and then the whole door now.  So, does this look cool/rustic, or gross/dirty?:

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On a related note, I was under the impression that the doggie door guy was going to hang the door for me (when he realized he couldn't install it on the current door he went on the Home Depot site with me and told me which door to buy and everything), but now the installer guy seems to be backtracking and saying the door needs to be "installed."  How tricky a job is that?  I can't do it myself, but can a handyman-type do it?  I guess the door I got isn't "pre-hung" -- the HD guy said they should be able to use the current hinges, but it apparently does need to be cut down a few inches.  The doggie door guy was going to remove the door to saw the hole anyway, am I naive in thinking it would be stupid to have it professionally installed just for him to take down again, or is the whole installing / making it fit part much more elaborate than removing it for work and replacing it after it's already hung?

Thanks, guys!

[mrs.jacinthe]

To be honest, at this point, I think I'd just paint it. I'm not a fan of the glazed look because (sorry) I think it looks blotchy. To be fair, it's not you, though. I say that about just about every glazed thing I see.

As regards hanging it ... not getting it pre-hung does complicate things a little, but any handyperson worth their salt should be able to properly hang a door. And if you have it professionally installed, what the doggie door guy will do is pop the hinge pins out, install the doggie door, them pop the hinge pins back in. The initial hanging will be more complex than that.

[TBM]

i think I like the glaze, because to me it looks like you can see wood grain, and it doesn't scream new.

[pamela]

I don't like the glaze. And a handyman can do a door install. The tricky part is lining up existing hinges with new door and routing/drilling for the hinges and handle/latch. I don't know who doggie door installer is, but if he's hesitant hire someone else because it is tricky and you don't want someone inexperienced. DH and I have done it and more than once ended up patching and handles not quite where we wanted them.

[msmerymac]

The glaze is making it look purple to me. Which I kind of dig, but it also might be a little... much?

[pixy0stix]

No on the glaze.

[h]

I don't love the glaze. I think I would just paint it.

I have had my handyman hang three doors for me. It's never been a big deal, He has always told me to buy them pre-hung, but I assume a decent handyman can manage either way.