CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - 6 months ended Mar. 31, 2017 - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Common stock	Capital in excess of par value	Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	Treasury stock	Total
Balances at Sep. 30, 2016	$ 74	$ 733,117	$ (441,793)	$ (1,411)	$ 289,987
Balances (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2016	74,153				74,153
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock purchase plan	$ 0	336			$ 336
Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock purchase plan (in shares)	17
Exercise of stock appreciation rights	$ 1				1
Exercise of stock appreciation rights (in shares)	808
Tax benefit from exercise of stock appreciation rights and vesting of restricted stock		5,571			5,571
Stock-based compensation		901			901
Net 2 share decrease in treasury stock held for deferred compensation plan obligations, at cost		(20)		20	0
Net income attributable to Headwaters Incorporated			11,208		11,208
Balances at Mar. 31, 2017	$ 75	$ 739,905	$ (430,585)	$ (1,391)	$ 308,004
Balances (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2017	74,978				74,978