Venting through the roof is the plan, but is there any way to accomplish something like this according to code instead of having to wait until after we move in?

It sounds cheesy, but we may be open to an electric fireplace or stove, too. I didn't see any rated for outdoor use, but this would be an easier retrofit after closing. Anyone have any experience with these on an enclosed porch?

Why would venting through the roof be a code violation?

Venting through the roof isn't against code unless you don't have the exhaust pipe high enough to keep from backdrafting the exhaust back into the house from other vents.

Per the fireplace installer, using a fireplace rated for indoors on a porch is a code violation. I have not been able to find a direct vent rated for outdoor use.

There interior foctory-built gas fireplaces that have glass backs so you can see the fire from the porch.

Factory-built fireplaces for wood or gas are made of sheet steel so they would quickly rust if used outdoors and endanger your property and the lives of your family. If a unit was made of stainless steel it would probably cost more than a masonry fireplace which is what you should be looking for.

We're planning to put a Montebello See though direct vent on our Deck wall (backing to the interior family room). As renovator said they make an indoor/outdoor one that while pricey, is designed for just that application. There are actually a number of brands that now have this, Heat n Glo, Majestic, Montessan.

Speaking from my in person experience of the Montebello showroom model, the outdoor side with the outdoor window kit (which makes this useable on an outside wall) is more for ambience not heating. We could really feel the heat radiating off the ceramic interior face of the FP but when we popped outside to check out the view of it burning didn't feel much heat at all. It hadn't been running too long however. Might still work well for supplying heat to a screened in porch if the area is left open to the interior side of the FP which it sounds like wouldn't be too hard to do in your application.

We used the heatnglo twilight ii fireplace - indoor/outdoor see through w/family room. Seems to heat up well so far on both sides.

pics of family room are in beginning of this post and screen porch is at the end...

Here is a link that might be useful: pics

We have a similar situation but live in a warm climate, so the see thru is not really what we want - we really just want to feel the heat solely outside of the house (but install the direct vent on one of yhe three exterior walls surrounding the patio). Fire bowl would be cool (and cheaper) but patio is coverd so assuming that is not a possibility. Does anyone know of any products that might work in this situation?