Updated Sept 2025
Whether you’re redoing a kitchen, finishing a basement, or giving a whole house or building a facelift, there’s one upgrade you don’t want to overlook: insulation and air sealing.
Pairing remodel plans with upgraded insulation is a smart move. It doesn’t just refresh a home or building’s look, it also boosts comfort, slashes utility bills, and increases the property’s value. If you’re a homeowner or builder in Maryland, combining these projects can be a game-changer.
Renovation and Insulation: A Perfect Pair
Renovating a home often means opening the walls, ceilings, or floors. This makes it the ideal time to improve the home’s insulation. Doing it now is easier, less expensive, and avoids the hassle of retrofit insulation later.
In fact, Maryland building codes require insulation upgrades when walls are exposed, or roof sheathing is removed during remodeling. If you’re tearing into the structure, you’ll need to bring it up to modern standards, and that means properly installed insulation. Combining insulation with remodeling gives you the best of both worlds: upgraded aesthetics and serious performance improvements. Plus, it saves time and money by bundling both jobs together and avoiding rework later.
Benefits of Insulating During a Remodel
Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings
Proper insulation and air sealing can lead to energy savings of up to 15% on homeowners’ heating and cooling costs. That’s real money they save every month on utility bills through reduced energy use.
Enhanced Indoor Comfort
No more chilly drafts in the winter or hot spots in the summer. Insulation brings consistent temperatures and comfort throughout a house, even in our state’s unpredictable climate. Just ask Clark Reed, a homeowner in Rockville, MD. He updated his home’s insulation during a remodel and says insulation turned his cold, unused rooms into everyday living spaces. Now, “every room is easy to be in, regardless of the season.”
Noise Reduction
Another bonus? Insulation helps reduce noise from traffic, neighbors, and other external sounds in a home’s walls, ceilings, and floors. Adding insulation during a homeowner’s remodel helps keep their home peaceful and quiet.
Indoor Air Quality and Moisture Control
Insulation upgrades also improve a home’s indoor air quality by blocking dust, pollen, and pests. In humid Maryland, insulation with proper vapor barriers, along with proper ventilation help provide moisture control to prevent mold, mildew, and wood rot.
Property Value Increase
Looking for a return on investment? Smart, eco-conscious buyers are always looking for efficient homes with lower operating costs. This is great news for the future of your remodeled home. In fact, in a 2016 report by Remodeling magazine, they found that an attic insulation project was the only remodeling project to show more than 100% cost recovery at resale.
Key Areas to Insulate During a Maryland Remodel
Attic and Roof (Your Top Priority)
Heat rises and easily leaks through a home’s roof, wasting excess energy. This makes insulating the attic your number one priority. The Maryland building code (climate zones 4 and 5) calls for R-49 to R-60 of insulation in the attic. During renovations, when the roof is exposed, is the perfect time to upgrade. Plus, Maryland code requires it.
Exterior Walls
Many old homes in Maryland have little to no insulation in their exterior walls. If you’re replacing the interior drywall or exterior siding, now’s your chance to solve that problem. The impact on comfort and energy efficiency will be immediate. Maryland code requires walls to have an R-value of R-13 to R-21, depending on wall type. Fiberglass batt insulation, dense-packed cellulose, or spray foam are effective insulation options.
Basements and Crawl Spaces
Foundation insulation helps keep floors warmer in winter. With a vapor barrier, it also helps keep moisture out. This is very important in Maryland’s damp and humid climate. During basement finishing or structural work is the best time to complete this job. Consider rigid foam board for basement walls and rim joist insulation.
Windows and Doors
High-efficiency windows and doors, combined with proper air sealing around the frames, complement insulation by eliminating drafts. These upgrades pair especially well with new wall and attic insulation for a high-performance building envelope.
Planning Your Remodel-Insulation Strategy
Assessment Phase
90% of U.S. homes are under insulated by today’s standards. Before starting on a remodel, get a professional insulation evaluation to find the home’s weak spots. Priority areas include the attic, walls, and basement or crawl space.
Contractor Selection
For homeowners and builders, they should be encouraged to work with a team that understands both remodeling and energy efficiency. From recommending materials to planning the project’s costs and space suitability, this partnership is essential. Contractors should be experienced in such things as spray foam insulation, batt insulation, vapor barriers, and proper air sealing techniques.
Budgeting and Planning
Make sure a homeowner’s budget includes insulation. Not only will it pay for itself through energy savings, but it’s also often required by Maryland’s building code when undergoing major renovations. Tackling it now avoids higher utility bills later.
Material and Technique Selection
Every area of a home has different needs. Some spaces require proper vapor barriers, while others also need adequate ventilation. It’s important to consider which type of insulation is best for each space. Choices include fiberglass, cellulose, mineral wool, rigid foam, and spray foam insulation. An insulation expert like DeVere Insulation will help you choose the best insulation choice for your remodeling project and budget.
Expert Tips for a Seamless Upgrade
Scheduling and Coordination
Plan your schedule carefully. Complete any plumbing, electrical, or framing work before insulation goes in. Insulate right before drywall or other wall coverings go up. Clear communication between contractors helps avoid delays and prevents tearing into finished work.
Material Selection by Area
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Each area of a home has different needs:
- Attics: Consider blown-in loose-fill insulation for maximum coverage and high R-values.
- Walls: Fiberglass batts are an effective choice or consider spray foam insulation for added air sealing.
- Basements: Moisture-resistant foam boards are a great option.
And take note: some areas may need fire-rated coverings to meet Maryland code.
Permits and Code Compliance
Don’t forget that permits are required for both remodeling and insulation work. If you’re opening building cavities, current codes apply. Inspector signoffs help confirm you’re up to standard and protect each homeowner’s investment.
Address Hidden Issues
Renovation is your chance to fix what’s behind the walls. Check for:
- Outdated wiring like knob-and-tube (upgrade it before insulating).
- Signs of past water damage or leaks (fix and dry before installing new insulation).
- Pests or rot (deal with it now).
- Use mold-resistant materials in areas with previous problems.
Make the Most of Your Maryland Remodel with DeVere Insulation
Renovating a Baltimore home or building? Don’t just make the space look better, improve your home or building project for the long haul. Combining remodeling with smart insulation upgrades delivers lower bills, more comfort, and lasting value.
DeVere Insulation has been Maryland’s go-to insulation expert since 1987. From attic upgrades to basement makeovers, our team knows how to work alongside your remodeling project to deliver top-tier results. We offer a full range of insulation products that are installed by trained pros who know the local code.
Contact us today for a free estimate for your Baltimore area renovation project.
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References
City of Frederick, MD. (n.d.). Weatherization. City of Frederick Maryland Official Website. https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/1656/Weatherization#:~:text=Does%20your%20home%20feel%20drafty%3F,costs%20by%20up%20to%2030
Energy Star. (n.d.). Why seal and insulate? Energy Star. https://www.energystar.gov/saveathome/seal_insulate/why-seal-and-insulate#
Hagerstown, MD. (2021, August). Renovate residential guide. City of Hagerstown. https://www.hagerstownmd.org/DocumentCenter/View/16278/Renovate-Res_Aug-2021#
Maryland Energy Administration. (n.d.). Energy codes. Maryland Energy Administration. https://energy.maryland.gov/pages/policy-energy-codes.aspx#
My Green Montgomery. (2023). Building & living in Montgomery County’s first certified net zero energy home. My Green Montgomery. https://mygreenmontgomery.org/2023/building-living-in-montgomery-countys-first-certified-net-zero-energy-home/#
RMI. (n.d.). Increasing home value with home energy upgrades. Rocky Mountain Institute. https://rmi.org/increasing-home-value-home-energy-upgrades/#:~:text=Most%20projects%20covered%20in%20the,12%20months%20later%20of%20%241%2C482
University of Maryland Extension. (n.d.). Home energy: Insulation. University of Maryland Extension. https://extension.umd.edu/resource/home-energy-insulation#