Fireplaces, Heating Stoves, Flues and Chimneys - Fireplace Mesh or glass cover?

I just moved into a house that has an amazing fireplace that has some issues. I am wondering about the fireplace cover - if that's the right name for it. There is a large brass unit over the opening with doors on it. It is old and the doors barely open. The mesh curtain is ripped and rusted. The brass finish is coroding around the edges. I know these things cost around $800 so I'm not too thrilled about replacing it. My question is, if I have a good damper unit on the chimney that would securly close the chimney off when not in use, could I go without the cover completely and just have a screen in front of the fireplace? I absolutely love fireplaces and I want to have a full view of the fire if possible. Would I lose all my heat up the chimney without the cover or could I actually have my fireplace open for a full view? Are there cheaper alternatives if I remove the aging cover?

Are the doors glass? You may be able to do some maintenance to the current set-up you have. Some lubrication on the door hinges, remove the torn mesh and use a freestanding screen and perhaps use a high-temp paint to cover the corroding brass surface. Having a fire with the front of the fireplce open (no doors) causes much of the heat in the house to exit the chimney. I put a glass door unit on my Franklin stove and it made a world of difference. I could still see all the fire and the glass also tranferred heat into the room. You would have to have the damper inspected by a Pro to know how well it seals. Chimnet top dampers are now popular. They seal the chimney on top and can be opened from inside. Good luck with your project.