Lennox offers a wide range of sizes in direct vent models for every budget. All are available with an optional radiant panel kit which replaces the louvers to get non louvered look. The new Montebello 40" and 45" units are completly louver-less. They look like a traditional masonry fireplace with the benefits of gas. The Lennox website is www.lennoxhearthproducts.com What part of Northern California re you in?

Hi, I recently moved into a house with a direct vent Insta-Flame gas fireplace (Model FSDV-30 TN) and now I've learned that this fireplace is unsafe due to a potential relief damper issue (http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2012/15058a-eng.php). So now I'm wondering if an option would be to pull out the guts and replace them with a new set of gas logs. Has anyone attempted this and is this sort of thing possible? My common sense tells me that this is a direct vented box like any other fireplace would be so I should be able to do so? I have no experience with fireplaces but I am very mechanically inclined and I do understand the safety concerns when working with gas. If the job is possible but above me I have no problems hiring a pro to do the work. Thanks for your help. Jeff

Follow up - We finally selected a Mendota model called the Full View 41 (FV41). Most fireplaces have the controls and adjustments on the bottom under the firebox, so there is about a 4"-5" wide piece of trim on the bottom to hide all the mechanicals. However, the Mendota FV models move the controls to the left side, so that the base of the firebox is only about an inch off the floor underneath. It looks much more like the placement of a colonial masonry fireplace. Bruce

Blocking those vents is not a good idea in the first place, particularly with a wood mantel. It renders the fireplace unusable. Although I am not aware of any particular building code that states it as being a safety issue, I would think any building inspector would deem it so. Regarding ventless logs, they put out a tremendous amount of heat. So not only is that mantel going to get blasted from behind with heat to those vents, it is going to bet hit with heat flowing directly from the fireplace opening. Here's a clearance chart for mantels for a popular ventless log set that our company sells. I suggest you print this out and do some measuring. I don't think your mantel will pass muster. You may need to replace it with a Non-Combustible Steel Mantel: I can help you with the steel mantel and the logs as well as a way to safely cover those vents that is not noticeable. Let me know if you would like me to present some ideas. I'd do it right now, but it will take more time than I have at the moment.