cellulose blown in creates a better seal than batts. But it will settle a little over time. I prefer cellulose blown in. I think cellulose is also heavier and denser. I had only 2 inches of pink batts in my attic rafters. I filled about 6 inches of cellulose over the top of this. Its helped quite a bit. It doesn't seem to have settled much.

Thanks Ionized, Energy_Rater and Mike_Home, As there is no compelling reason to remove existing insulation, it seems best to leave what's there in place. But the kraft paper has to be removed. These are R-values for the two products: Fiberglass, 2.2 to 2.7 per inch; Rockwool, 3.0 to 3.3 per inch. Using the median number of both, I estimate the current installation's R-value at 16. CURRENT INSULATION'S R-VALUE Fiberglass: 2.5R x 4" = 10 R Rockwool: 3.1R x 2" = 6.2 R To get up to 30R, another 14R is needed which is: 5.6" of Fiberglass or 4.5" of Rockwool. So, laying one batt will get close to 30 R which is adequate as Mike suggested. Is it OK to lay Rockwool on top of the current fiberglass (after the paper is stripped off)? Below is a link on how to dress for installing insulation. Fiberglass asks for more dress-up than does Rockwool...a different sort of date. ;-) This same website provided the R-values in the article on "How to compare f/g and r/w". Gosh, you've all been so helpful. I am very grateful. Thank you. Here is a link that might be useful: How to Dress for Working With Fiberglass Insulation

No such machine was used... They poured the entire garage at once which lasted from 8:15am-8:45am.. From that point until 1pm they were working the concrete by hand.. This is a quick shot of what they were doing: I just really can't believe that this company would allow this.. They are a higher end company and they do most of their work in high end neighborhoods.. I am actually getting a little concerned that its not even.. I went over while at work to take a quick pic but got their late and it was already dark.. I left the headlights of my car on and took a pic.. I can't tell if its the lighting combined with the trowel marks, but it almost looks like ripples.. This is what it looks like: At this point I don't know what to even do.. I feel like every time they get to the next stage I have to question what my options are because it wasn't done right.. I know I am not building a mansion or some multi million dollar home, but I just feel like I probably could have done a better job myself and I have absolutely no experience.. I know it's easy to second guess people, but I feel like this is not an acceptable finish.. I talked with a few people and they said there is no real way to "repair" this.. They would have to hammer it all out and pour again.. I had contemplated doing an epoxy finish but I don't even know if that would solve this.. Im sure it would help the finish look, but if this floor is in fact not level I am not sure an epoxy coating will level it out.. I am nervous to even go down to the basement.. I only saw a small portion from the upper level (no stairs installed yet) and everything was covered.. I can only assume the basement slab looks the same..

Leave it. You dont get any real air flow or temperature transfer to the basement with it out. You will need to adjust current ductwork and fan speed to accomodate the new living space downstairs. I can guarantee if you did take the insulation between floors out and did not heat the basement it would still be cold. There is a slight sound reduction with leaving insulation between. Batt doesnt do the greatest at this but it helps some. Various opinions on this, but fiberglass does help buffer sounds, it is better than nothing. I have loose fill fiberglass for attic insulation and added extra batt around a radon fan in the attic and it has helped. This was before I learned more about different insulation types. The best insulation for controlling sound would be the denim insulation with the strips between the drywall and the framing to stop vibration transfers. There will still be some vibration transfer through the screws but it is significantly less.