Preparing Your Home for Fall; Part 2
Fratantoni Luxury Estates • October 19, 2017
Check the roof for damage, such as cracked or missing shingles, and replace them.
The last thing you’d want is to get a leak, especially once winter rolls around with its heavy storms and snows. You might also want to take a peak in the gutters. If you spot any large amounts of grit, the protective coating on your roof might be wearing off.
Clear out the rain gutters. If the rain gutters are blocked, they might overflow. Any overflowing water can cause water damage to your home, including the foundation and basement. Take out your ladder, and clear out any leaves, branches, or debris from the gutter. When you are done, consider covering your gutters with mesh guards to keep the leaves and debris out and the water flowing.
Make sure that the windows and doors are sealed properly. As the year comes to a close, the weather will get colder. If your windows aren’t sealed properly, your home could lose lots of heat, causing your gas and heating bills to spike! If you have a lot of windows and not a lot of time and money, focus on the biggest windows, such as patio doors or bay windows. Here are some more tips on insulating your windows and doors:
- Place a polyurethane sheet over your windows. It is often referred to as an “insulation kit,” and it will help keep the warm air in and the cold air out.
- Check for any gaps in the caulk around your windows. If you find any gaps, fill them in with some caulk.
- Check your door’s weather stripper by closing it on a sheet of paper. If the paper moves about easily, the weather stripper needs to be replaced.
Check your windows and doors for tightness by holding a candle close to them. If the candle flickers, there might be a leak.- Take a look at your fireplace, both inside and out.
It would be best to have this done professionally, as they usually know what to look for. If you seldom use your fireplace, however, shine a flashlight into the flue, and look for any deposits. If you find any that are ⅛-inch (0.32-centimeter) thick (or thicker), call in a professional chimney sweep. Here are some other things you should look out for:
- Check the flute for creosote buildup to prevent fires. This is essential if you have a wood-burning stove or fireplace.
- Check the flue for any blockages, especially if you don’t have a chimney cap. Birds love to build nests on top of chimneys!
- Check the damper. It is a metal plate that opens and closes the flue above the firebox. It should open and close smoothly and easily
- Check the chimney for any overall signs of damage. This includes the flue cap and any loose or broken joints.
The post Preparing Your Home for Fall; Part 2 appeared first on Fratantoni Luxury Estates.
In today’s world, luxury estates are designed not only for entertaining and relaxation but also for productivity, creativity, and reflection. The demand for custom home offices and private libraries has surged as affluent homeowners seek spaces that combine function with elegance. No longer simply places to work or read, these rooms have evolved into personal sanctuaries that inspire focus, sophistication, and comfort. At Fratantoni Luxury Estates, we believe that private spaces within the home deserve as much artistry and detail as grand staircases, gourmet kitchens, or resort-style backyards. Our team has over 40 years of experience designing and build ing luxury offices and libraries that merge productivity with timeless design, ensuring every space reflects the lifestyle and personali ty of its owner.
From ancient Roman fountains to modern infinity pools, water has always been a defining element of luxury architecture. It represents life, tranquility, and movement, qualities that transform estates from beautiful to extraordinary. Today, water features in luxury homes go far beyond simple pools; they include cascading waterfalls, reflecting ponds, spa grottos, and sculptural fountains that enhance both aesthetics and lifestyle. At Fratantoni Luxury Estates, we understand the power of water in design. With over 40 years of experience crafting custom estates, our team integrates water features that balance artistry, serenity, and entertainment. Whether indoors or outdoors, water elevates every estate i nto a private oasis of timeless luxury.
A home may feature grand staircases, gourmet kitchens, and resort-style backyards, but for most homeowners, the bedroom is the ultimate sanctuary. It is where days begin and end, where comfort meets elegance, and where privacy is treasured. In luxury estates, bedrooms- particularly the master suite, are more than sleeping spaces; they are private retreats designed for rest, rejuvenation, and intimacy. At Fratantoni Luxury Estates, we have over 40 years of experience designing and building custom homes where every bedroom reflects sophistication, comfort, and timeless style. From primary suites with fireplaces and spa-inspired bathrooms to guest retreats with bespoke details, we understand that bedrooms are the most personal expression of luxury.
In today’s fast-paced world, affluent homeowners are reimagining luxury living by bringing the resort lifestyle into their own estates. No longer reserved for high end hotels, private amenities such as spas, sport courts, and theaters are becoming integral to custom homes. These features provide convenience, privacy, and exclusivity, allowing families to enjoy the best of luxury hospitality without leaving their property. At Fratantoni Luxury Estates, we specialize in designing and building estates that deliver the ultimate private resort experience. From wine cellars and golf simulators to rooftop lounges and wellness spas, our homes are crafted to meet the highest expectations of comfort, sophistication, and entertainment.
A t Fratantoni Luxury Estates, we believe a truly exceptional home is defined not just by its scale or style, but by the way each space enhances daily living. Nowhere is this philosophy more evident than in the kitchen. For more than 40 years, our team has built homes across Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, and beyond, creating custom estates that balance artistry, innovation, and livability. Our families, ranging from Fortune 500 executives to NBA team owners, come to us with one consistent request: a kitchen that feels like the heartbeat of their home. Whether it’s an expansive open-concept design for family gatherings or a chef-inspired culinary space for entertaining, our kitchens embody refined craftsmanship, timeless design, and tailored function. Each detail is carefully curated to elevate not just the home, but the lifestyle of those who live within it.
Fratantoni Luxury Estates, we believe building a home should be as inspiring and enjoyable as the final result. For more than four decades, our family-owned firm has been at the forefront of luxury custom home construction, delivering exceptional residences across Arizona and nationwide. What sets us apart is our true design-build approach, uniting our world-class build firm, Fratantoni Luxury Estates, with our award-winning architectural division, Fratantoni Design. This partnership eliminates the disconnect between architect and builder, allowing for a seamless process where every detail is considered from the start. From breathtaking Scottsdale hillside estates to expansive coastal retreats, our portfolio spans a diverse range of styles like Contemporary, Spanish, Tuscan, Modern Desert, and more, each brought to life with precision, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to quality. Whether you’re dreaming of a sprawling luxury estate or an intimate architectural masterpiece, our integrated team ensures your vision is executed flawlessly from concept to completion.
Fratantoni Luxury Estates stands as Arizona’s premier custom home builder, renowned for its rich legacy of crafting exquisite luxury residences. With an impressive portfolio of custom homes in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, and beyond, we are synonymous with superior design and construction in the state’s most prestigious neighborhoods. Specializing in state-of-the-art luxury homes, Fratantoni Luxury Estates combines meticulous craftsmanship with the expertise to create any architectural style, from Contemporary to Spanish and more. Our in-house team of custom home builders ensures that every detail is executed to perfection, whether you’re building a new luxury estate or renovating an existing one. At Fratantoni, we don’t just meet design needs; we bring your vision to life. Our portfolio includes distinguished homes designed for notable athletes, NBA team owners, and Fortune 500 executives. Our ideal client is affluent, educated, and looking to build or renovate a high-end luxury home with a budget over $1 million.
At Fratantoni Luxury Estates, we know that building a custom home isn’t just about creating a place to live, it’s about designing a legacy. As Arizona’s premier custom home builder with projects spanning the nation, our team has spent over 35 years bringing luxury dream homes to life with an unmatched attention to detail, style, and sophistication. Whether you're planning your forever home, a vacation estate, or a luxury investment property, new construction offers distinct benefits that go far beyond aesthetics. From personalized floor plans and energy efficient systems to smart technology integration and seamless construction management, building a new luxury home provides both freedom and peace of mind. In this post, we’ll explore the compelling reasons why building a new custom home with Fratantoni Luxury Estates is the best decision you can make.
Natural stone isn’t just a building material, it’s a design statement that instantly communicates elegance, longevity, and refined craftsmanship. At Fratantoni Luxury Estates, we view stone as one of the most essential and versatile, elements in luxury home construction. Whether used on the grand exterior of a French-inspired estate or as a refined fireplace surround in a modern great room, natural stone adds texture, strength, and timelessness to any space. From limestone to travertine, Cantera to marble, each type of stone has its own personality. The right stone can tie your custom home together, creating harmony between the architecture, landscaping, and interior finishes. In this guide, we’ll walk through how to strategically incorporate natural stone across your entire custom home—starting with curb appeal and flowing all the way to your private suite.
When you're building a multimillion-dollar estate, you're not just constructing walls, you’re crafting a lifestyle. At Fratantoni Luxury Estates , we believe your custom home should reflect you at every turn, from the grandeur of the entryway to the quiet luxury of a secret reading nook behind a bookcase. Personalization is more than picking finishes, it’s designing a home that lives and breathes your taste, priorities, and way of life. Whether you’re drawn to ornate ceiling medallions or dream of a hidden home theater behind a paneled wall, we make sure no detail is too bold, no idea too ambitious. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the what, how, and why of custom home personalization, including real project highlights, trending ideas, and timeless touches that elevate your estate from custom to completely yours.
