Maryland weather can swing from hot and muggy in the summer to damp and bitterly cold in the winter. If your home struggles to stay comfortable without cranking the thermostat, it may be time to take a closer look at your walls — and what’s behind them.
At Bohan Contracting, we often recommend insulating drywall to homeowners who want better control over indoor temperatures and lower monthly energy bills. Whether you’re remodeling one room or tackling a larger renovation, adding proper insulation behind new drywall can make a noticeable difference — without changing how your space looks.
Details About Insulating Drywall
When you’re remodeling a space in your home — especially one with exterior walls — adding insulation behind the new drywall is one of the simplest ways to improve comfort and energy performance.
Standard drywall does very little to stop heat from passing through. On its own, it has a low R-value, which means it won’t do much to help regulate indoor temperature. But when paired with quality insulation inside the wall cavity — like R-13 or R-19 fiberglass batts or spray foam — drywall becomes part of an effective barrier that slows down the transfer of heat.
This matters in Maryland homes, where summers can get hot and humid, and winters can bring long cold snaps. Installing drywall as part of an insulated wall system helps you keep warm air in during the colder months and unwanted heat out during the warmer ones.
How Insulating Drywall Works
The insulation material — whether it’s fiberglass batts, spray foam, or blown-in — sits inside the wall cavities. The drywall is then installed over it as the finished surface. Together, they act as a barrier that supports your heating and cooling efforts.
And because Maryland homes often deal with humidity and seasonal shifts, properly insulated drywall also helps limit drafts, cold spots, and indoor temperature swings.
Why Homeowners Choose Insulating Drywall
1. Better Temperature Control
One of the main reasons Maryland homeowners choose insulating drywall is because it helps keep their homes at a more stable temperature. Rooms that used to feel drafty in winter or overly hot in summer tend to become more balanced.
When your heating or cooling system doesn’t need to work as hard to compensate for temperature swings, you get a more comfortable living environment — without constantly adjusting the thermostat.
2. Lower Utility Bills
With less heat escaping in the winter and less hot air seeping in during the summer, your HVAC system runs less often. That means real savings on your energy bills, month after month.
Even a single remodeled room — like a finished basement, attic, or home office — can have a noticeable impact. Over time, those savings add up.
3. Quieter Rooms
Insulation doesn’t just block heat — it also dampens sound. If you’re tired of hearing traffic noise, footsteps above, or loud TVs from the next room, insulating drywall can help.
It’s a smart solution for bedrooms, nurseries, shared walls, or anywhere you want a little more peace and quiet. You can also use it between floors to cut down on sound traveling through the ceiling.
Types of Insulation Used with Drywall
There are several types of insulation that work well behind drywall, depending on the space and your remodeling goals. Here’s how they compare.
Fiberglass Batts
This is one of the most common types of insulation used during drywall installation. Fiberglass batts are pre-cut to fit between studs and are installed before the drywall goes up.
They’re effective, affordable, and easy to replace during renovations. Batts come in different R-values, which makes it easier to match your insulation to the space you’re upgrading.
Best for: Walls, ceilings, garages, and basements where the framing is open.
Spray Foam
Spray foam insulation is applied as a liquid and expands to fill cavities, cracks, and gaps. It creates a tight seal that stops both heat and air from moving through the wall.
Because it fills every corner, spray foam is ideal for older homes, irregular framing, or any area where air leakage is a concern. It’s more expensive than fiberglass, but it delivers a high level of performance in return.
Best for: Hard-to-reach spots, rim joists, exterior walls, and anywhere air leakage is a problem.
Blown-In Insulation
This type of insulation is made from loose particles, usually cellulose or fiberglass, and is blown into wall cavities using special equipment.
It’s a good choice for adding insulation to walls without removing all the drywall, especially in older homes. When remodeling a space where the drywall is already coming down, blown-in can also fill voids that batts might miss.
Best for: Retrofits or insulating finished walls during partial renovations.
Where to Use Insulating Drywall
At Bohan, we look at how your home is built and how you use each room to decide where insulating drywall will make the biggest impact. Here are some of the best areas to target:
- Exterior-facing walls: These are exposed to outdoor temperatures and benefit most from added insulation.
- Basements: Many Maryland basements are under-insulated, leading to cold floors and damp air.
- Attics or attic conversions: Finished attics can get extremely hot or cold without proper insulation.
- Garages: Insulating the shared wall between your garage and home can improve temperature control in adjacent rooms.
- Bonus rooms over garages: These often get too hot in summer or cold in winter without extra insulation.
Even interior walls can benefit if you want to reduce noise between rooms or separate climate zones within your home.
Why Professional Installation Matters
While it’s possible to buy insulation and drywall at the hardware store, getting a quality result takes more than materials. Air gaps, compressed batts, missing vapor barriers, or poor sealing can all compromise performance — even if the drywall looks great on the outside.
A Practical Upgrade with Long-Term Value
Adding insulating drywall isn’t flashy, but it’s one of the smartest upgrades you can make. You’ll notice the difference right away — quieter rooms, fewer drafts, and lower utility bills.
And if you plan to sell your home in the future, buyers will appreciate the added comfort and lower energy costs, especially in a climate like Maryland’s.
Whether you’re remodeling a basement, redoing an outdated space, or planning an addition, it’s worth thinking beyond the surface. Putting insulation behind the drywall now can save you time and money later.
Talk to Bohan Contracting About Your Insulating Drywall Project
If you’re planning a remodel and want to make your home more comfortable, quiet, and cost-efficient, insulating drywall is a smart place to start.
At Bohan Contracting, we bring years of experience remodeling Maryland homes and helping families make practical upgrades that deliver real benefits.
We’ll talk through your space, look at your goals, and recommend the right insulation and drywall options — all backed by solid craftsmanship and straightforward service.
Call us today to schedule a consultation and get started. We’re here to help you build a better, smarter home — one wall at a time.
FAQs
Can I add insulation without removing all my drywall?
In some cases, yes. If you’re not doing a full remodel, blown-in insulation can be added through small access holes in the existing walls. However, for the best results — especially when upgrading other features — adding insulation during a remodel when walls are already open is more effective.
What’s the best insulation to use behind drywall?
It depends on your space. Fiberglass batts are cost-effective and work well in open wall cavities. Spray foam provides a tighter air seal and higher R-value per inch, making it ideal for hard-to-reach or irregular framing. A contractor can help you choose the right type based on your goals and layout.
What Is the Insulation R-Value of Drywall?
Standard ½-inch drywall has an R-value of around 0.45 to 0.5, which means it offers very little thermal resistance on its own. That’s why it’s typically combined with insulation like fiberglass batts, spray foam, or rigid foam panels inside the wall cavity. When paired correctly, the total R-value of a wall assembly can reach R-13 to R-21 or higher, depending on the insulation material and thickness used. Drywall is the finished surface — the real insulation work happens behind it.
What Does R-Value of Drywall Mean?
The R-value of drywall refers to its resistance to heat flow — basically, how well it helps prevent heat from passing through.
Rich Nelson, an Annapolis resident for 34 years, has been a vital part of Bohan Contracting since 2017, bringing over two decades of construction experience. Starting his career in 1994, Rich has developed a deep understanding of the industry, from project management to customer-focused solutions. His leadership roles and commitment to delivering high-quality results make him an essential member of the team.
