Metro Insulation in Baltimore: Spray Foam and Fiberglass for Older Homes

Metro Insulation is a licensed insulation contractor serving Baltimore and surrounding counties, specializing in spray foam, fiberglass, and cellulose installation for residential retrofits and new construction. The company handles the kind of work that matters most in a city where 60 percent of housing stock predates 1970, when modern insulation standards barely existed.

What Metro Insulation Does

Metro Insulation installs three primary insulation types. Spray foam (both open-cell and closed-cell) seals air leaks and fills irregular cavities common in Baltimore's row houses and Victorian-era homes. Fiberglass batts and blown-in fiberglass work in standard framing and attics. Cellulose, made from recycled paper, fills walls and attics in existing homes without full deconstruction. The company handles attic work, wall cavity fills, basement rim joist sealing, and crawl space encapsulation. They are licensed in Maryland and carry workers' compensation and liability insurance.

Pricing and Services

Spray foam installation runs $1.50 to $3.50 per board foot for open-cell and $3.50 to $6.00 per board foot for closed-cell, depending on depth and location. Blown-in fiberglass costs $0.50 to $1.00 per square foot for attic work. A typical Baltimore row house attic (800 to 1,000 square feet) ranges from $800 to $1,500 for fiberglass; adding spray foam to seal rim joists and band areas costs $400 to $800 more. Cellulose wall fills run $1.00 to $1.75 per square foot. Metro Insulation offers free in-home estimates; pricing varies with accessibility, removal of old insulation, and whether work requires partial wall opening. Confirm current rates by phone before requesting an estimate, as material costs fluctuate.

How It Compares to Baltimore Alternatives

Baltimore has several insulation installers. Chesapeake Insulation serves the region with similar spray foam and fiberglass capability but operates from Glen Burnie and focuses more on new construction; they are a valid choice if your project is new-build rather than retrofit. Several general contractors and handymen in Baltimore offer basic fiberglass installation but lack spray foam equipment and the expertise required for air-sealing complex older homes. Metro Insulation's advantage is its focus on Baltimore's actual housing stock: row house walls with plaster and brick, uninsulated attics, and basement rim joists where spray foam excels. Choose Metro Insulation if you own a pre-1980 home and want integrated air-sealing; choose a general contractor if you need basic attic top-off with fiberglass only.

Who It Suits and Who It Does Not

Metro Insulation suits homeowners in Baltimore with energy bills that spike because of poor insulation, anyone adding insulation to an older home, and those planning an energy audit or weatherization grant application. It also serves homeowners preparing to install heat pumps or upgrade HVAC systems, where adding insulation first improves efficiency. The company does not perform HVAC installation, air handler work, or structural repair; if your attic needs joists sistered or a roof leak sealed, hire a roofer or framing contractor first. Metro Insulation is not the right fit if you want the cheapest possible fiberglass blown into an already-insulated attic; a handyman can do that for $400 to $600.

What the First Visit Involves

Metro Insulation conducts a free in-home estimate. The technician walks the attic, basement, and crawl spaces (if accessible) to measure square footage, assess existing insulation and air leaks, check for moisture or pest damage, and determine whether old insulation needs removal. They identify areas where spray foam is cost-effective versus fiberglass and note any permit requirements (Baltimore County requires permits for most insulation work; Baltimore City generally does not for attic-only jobs, but confirm). The estimate includes material costs, labor, and timeline. If you choose to proceed, work typically takes one to three days depending on scope. You are present during removal and installation; expect noise, dust containment, and temporary access needs.

Hours, Location, and Logistics

Metro Insulation operates Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with Saturday estimates by appointment. They are based in Towson and serve Baltimore City and Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Howard, and Carroll counties. Parking at your home is your responsibility; crews typically use one to two vehicles. Verify hours and service area before calling, as these can change seasonally.

Metro Insulation fills a real gap for Baltimore homeowners trying to improve comfort and lower heating costs in older homes where generic advice does not apply. Its combination of spray foam capability, retrofit expertise, and understanding of city-specific housing issues makes it a practical first call for anyone serious about insulation work.