We are contemplating getting gas logs rather than continue with a wood burning fireplace. I am totally confused about the various rules that I am reading about installation of vented and vent free gas logs, as they make no sense at all. We presently have a Majestic Warm Majik 42" wood burning fireplace with a heat circulating fan. It has an outside air source a mechanical variable fixed position damper that cannot be closed down further than part way. It has a triple wall chimney flue that is classified as zero clearance. We also have a gas log lighter in place, with a key turn gas valve, so all gas lines are already run to the unit.There are glass doors in place.

In reading about vented gas logs, it seems the rule is that one has to totally disable the damper from being able to close at all. We may or may not want to keep the gas logs forever and do not want to harm our dampering abilities for the future, no do we want to allow air loss through the glass door cracks by having a damper that cannot close. Why in the world is this a rule since people who burn wood logs certainly generate as much heat a gas logs and are allowed to be sensible enough to open and close dampers each time a fire is burned???

Can anyone say whether, as very experienced DIYers, we can install these ourselves and be responsible for the use of our damper in the same manner as we have in our wood burning fireplace for 30+ years??? Since all gas lines and venting and all else is already in place, this seems like a no brainer. Also if anyone an state a compelling reason the permanently close a damper, how can this be done so it IS reversible with no harm whatsoever??

Thanks in advance!