Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)	12 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)	Oct. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Description of Business	Description of Business: The Valspar Corporation (we, our) is a global leader in the paints and coatings industry. We develop, manufacture and distribute a broad range of coatings, paints and related products, and operate our business in two reportable segments: Coatings and Paints.
Fiscal Year	Fiscal Year: We have a 4-4-5 week accounting cycle with the fiscal year ending on the Friday on or immediately preceding October 31. Fiscal years 2015 and 2013 both include 52 weeks while 2014 includes 53 weeks.
Principles Of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the parent company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Investments in which we have significant influence and where we do not have management control and are not the primary beneficiary are accounted for using the equity method. In order to facilitate our year-end closing process, foreign subsidiaries’ financial results are included in our consolidated financial statements on a one-month lag.
Estimates	Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Such estimates and assumptions impact, among others, the following: the amount of revenue deferred under extended furniture protection plans, the amount of accounts receivable that will be uncollectible, the amount of customer rebates owed, the amount of inventory reserves, the amount to be paid for other liabilities, including contingent liabilities, assumptions around the valuation of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, including impairment, our pension expense and pension funding requirements, the fair value of stock option awards and the computation of our income tax expense and liability. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition: We recognize revenue at the time the product is delivered or title has passed, a sales agreement is in place, pricing is fixed or determinable and collection is reasonably assured. Discounts provided to customers at the point of sale to our customers are recognized as reductions in revenue as the products are sold. We offer promotional and rebate programs to our customers. These programs require estimates of customer participation and performance and are recorded at the time of sale as deductions from revenue. We also offer consumer programs to promote the sale of our products and record them as a reduction in revenue at the time the consumer offer is made using estimated redemption and participation. Revenues exclude sales taxes collected from our customers. Additionally, in the U.S., we sell extended furniture protection plans for which revenue is deferred and recognized over the life of the contract. An actuarial study utilizing historical claims data is used to forecast claim payments over the contract period, and revenue is recognized based on the forecasted claims payments. Actual claim costs are reflected in earnings in the period incurred. Anticipated losses on programs in progress are charged to earnings when identified. Differences between estimated and actual results, which have been insignificant historically, are recognized as a change in estimate prospectively.
Allowance For Doubtful Accounts	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts: We estimate the allowance for doubtful accounts by analyzing accounts receivable by age and specific collection risk. When it is deemed probable that a customer account is uncollectible, such as in the event of bankruptcy or other circumstances that make further collection unlikely, that balance is written off against the existing allowance.
Cash Equivalents	Cash Equivalents: We consider all highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of less than three months to be cash equivalents.
Restricted Cash	Restricted Cash: Restricted cash represents cash that is restricted from withdrawal for contractual or legal reasons.
Inventories	Inventories: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Our domestic inventories, except the acquisition of the performance coating businesses of Quest Specialty Chemicals (Quest) in our Paints segment, are recorded using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. The remaining inventories are recorded using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.
Other Assets	Other Assets: We have long-term contracts with certain customers, under which we are obligated to make various up-front payments for which we expect to receive a benefit in excess of the cost over the term of the contract. These up-front payments are deferred and reflected in other assets. Contract incentives are amortized on a straight line basis over the term of the contract, while equipment is amortized on a straight line basis over the shorter of the economic life of the equipment or the term of the contract. Amortization expense for contract incentives is classified in our Consolidated Statements of Operations as a reduction of revenue. In certain circumstances, payments for equipment will meet the specific identifiable benefit criteria and the amortization expense will be classified in operating expenses.
Goodwill And Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets: Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of identifiable net assets of businesses acquired. Indefinite-lived intangible assets primarily consist of purchased technology, trademarks and trade names. Evaluating goodwill for impairment involves the determination of the fair value of our reporting units in which we have recorded goodwill. A reporting unit is an operating segment or a component of an operating segment for which discrete financial information is available and reviewed by management on a regular basis. We have determined that we have four separate reporting units with goodwill. Goodwill for each of our reporting units is reviewed for impairment at least annually using a two-step process as we have chosen not to perform a qualitative assessment for impairment. In the first step, we compare the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. We use the following four significant assumptions in our fair value analysis: (a) discount rates; (b) long-term sales growth rates; (c) forecasted operating margins; and (d) market multiples. If the fair value exceeds the carrying value, no further work is required and no impairment loss is recognized. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, the goodwill of the reporting unit is potentially impaired and we would then complete step 2 in order to measure the impairment loss. In step 2, we would calculate the implied fair value of goodwill by deducting the fair value of all tangible and intangible net assets (including unrecognized intangible assets) of the reporting unit from the fair value of the reporting unit. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying value of goodwill, we would recognize an impairment loss, in the period identified, equal to the difference. We review indefinite-lived intangible assets at least annually for impairment by calculating the fair value of the assets and comparing those fair values to the carrying value, as we have chosen not to perform a qualitative assessment for impairment. In assessing fair value, we generally utilize a relief from royalty method. If the carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets exceeds the fair value of the asset, the carrying value is written down to fair value in the period identified. During the fourth quarters of 2015, 2014 and 2013, we completed our annual goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment reviews with no impairments to the carrying values identified. There was no change to our reporting units in 2015, 2014 or 2013.
Impairment Of Long-Lived Tangible And Intangible Assets With Finite Lives	Impairment of Long-Lived Tangible and Intangible Assets with Finite Lives: We evaluate long-lived assets, including tangible and intangible assets with finite lives, for indicators of impairment. An impairment loss is recognized whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset is not recoverable. When reviewing for impairment, assets are grouped and evaluated at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets. We consider historical performance and future estimated results in our evaluation of impairment. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds expected undiscounted future cash flows, we measure the amount of impairment by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to its fair value, generally by discounting expected future cash flows. Intangibles with finite lives (primarily patents and customer lists) are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives.
Property, Plant And Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment: Property, plant and equipment, including capitalized interest, are recorded at cost. Property and equipment under capital leases are being amortized as a provision for depreciation over the shorter of the lease or their useful lives. Expenditures that improve or extend the life of the respective assets are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Provision for depreciation of property, plant and equipment are made by charges to operations at rates calculated to amortize the cost of the property, plant and equipment over their useful lives (20 years for buildings; 1 to 10 years for machinery and equipment) primarily using the straight-line method.
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation: We recognized compensation expense for our stock-based compensation plans, which include non-qualified stock options, cash settled restricted stock units, restricted stock, and other equity settled awards. Expense for options with graded vesting is recognized using the straight-line method. The fair value of share-based compensation is determined at the grant date and the recognition of the related expense is recorded over the requisite service period of the award. See Note 10 for additional information.
Advertising Costs	Advertising Costs: Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and totaled $56,697, $81,855 and $87,498 in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation: Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Results of operations are translated using the average exchange rates throughout the period. The effect of exchange rate fluctuations on translation of assets and liabilities is recorded as a component of stockholders’ equity (accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)). Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are included in other expense (income), net.
Financial Instruments	Financial Instruments: All financial instruments are held for purposes other than trading. See Note 8 for additional information.
Research And Development	Research and Development: Research and development is expensed as incurred.
Reclassification	Reclassification: Certain amounts in the prior years’ financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2015 presentation. In the first quarter of 2015, we reclassified freight costs on shipments to our customers to properly reflect such costs as cost of sales in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. This change is reflected in all periods presented and the effect was to increase both net sales and cost of sales by $103,200 and $91,201 for fiscal years 2014 and 2013, respectively. Reclassifications had no effect on net income (loss), cash flows or stockholders’ equity as previously reported.
Legal Proceedings	Environmental Matters We are involved in various claims relating to environmental matters at a number of current and former plant sites and waste management sites. We engage or participate in remedial and other environmental compliance activities at certain of these sites. At other sites, we have been named as a potentially responsible party (PRP) under federal and state environmental laws for site remediation. We analyze each individual site, considering the number of parties involved, the level of our potential liability or contribution relative to the other parties, the nature and magnitude of the hazardous wastes involved, the method and extent of remediation, the potential insurance coverage, the estimated legal and consulting expense with respect to each site and the time period over which any costs would likely be incurred. Based on the above analysis, we estimate the clean-up costs and related claims for each site. The estimates are based in part on discussion with other PRPs, governmental agencies and engineering firms. We accrue appropriate reserves for potential environmental liabilities when the amount of the costs that will be incurred can be reasonably determined. Accruals are reviewed and adjusted as additional information becomes available. While uncertainties exist with respect to the amounts and timing of our ultimate environmental liabilities, management believes it is neither probable nor reasonably possible that such liabilities, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Other Legal Matters We are involved in a variety of legal claims and proceedings relating to personal injury, product liability, warranties, customer contracts, employment, trade practices, environmental and other legal matters that arise in the normal course of business. These claims and proceedings include cases where we are one of a number of defendants in proceedings alleging that the plaintiffs suffered injuries or contracted diseases from exposure to chemicals or other ingredients used in the production of some of our products or waste disposal. We are also subject to claims related to the performance of our products. We believe these claims and proceedings are in the ordinary course for a business of the type and size in which we are engaged. While we are unable to predict the ultimate outcome of these claims and proceedings, we believe it is neither probable nor reasonably possible that the costs and liabilities of such matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS In September 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance that eliminates the requirement for an acquirer in a business combination to account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively. Under existing standards, an acquirer in a business combination reports provisional amounts with respect to acquired assets and liabilities when their measurements are incomplete as of the end of the reporting period. Prior to the impact of this guidance, an acquirer is required to adjust provisional amounts (and the related impact on earnings) by restating prior period financial statements during the measurement period which cannot exceed one year from the date of acquisition. The new guidance requires that the cumulative impact of a measurement-period adjustment (including the impact on prior periods) be recognized in the reporting period in which the adjustment is identified, thus eliminating the requirement to restate prior period financial statements. The new standard requires disclosure of the nature and amount of measurement-period adjustments as well as information with respect to the portion of the adjustments recorded in current-period earnings that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustments to provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015, which means the first quarter of our fiscal year 2017. Adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In July 2015, the FASB issued guidance that simplifies the measurement of inventory by requiring certain inventory to be measured at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016, which means the first quarter of our fiscal year 2018. Adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance that changes the presentation of debt issuance costs in financial statements. Under the new guidance, debt issuance costs will be presented as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the related debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015, which means the first quarter of our fiscal year 2017, and retrospective presentation is required. Adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued revised guidance on revenue recognition. The standard provides a single revenue recognition model which is intended to improve comparability over a range of industries, companies and geographical boundaries and to enhance disclosures. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016, which means the first quarter of our fiscal year 2018. In July 2015, the FASB issued a one-year deferral, which means the guidance is now effective in the first quarter of our fiscal year 2019, but would allow early adoption as of the original date. Either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption is permitted. We are currently reviewing the revised guidance and assessing the potential impact on our consolidated financial statements. In April 2014, the FASB issued guidance that changes the criteria for determining which disposals can be presented as discontinued operations, and modifies related disclosure requirements. Under the new guidance, a discontinued operation is defined as a component or group of components that is disposed of or is classified as held for sale and represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. We adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2015. Adoption of this guidance did not have an effect on our consolidated financial statements. In July 2013, the FASB issued guidance on classification of an unrecognized tax benefit. An unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a reduction of a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carry-forward or other tax credit carry-forward when settlement in this manner is available under the tax law. The change was effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013 and was to be applied prospectively. We adopted the new requirements in the first quarter of 2015. Adoption of this accounting guidance did not have an effect on our consolidated financial statements. In March 2013, the FASB issued guidance on a parent’s accounting for the cumulative translation adjustment (CTA) under certain circumstances. The new guidance requires a transfer from CTA into net income when a parent either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity, or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a business. This update aims to resolve diversity in practice in accounting for the CTA transfer into net income. The change was effective for fiscal years, and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013 and was to be applied prospectively. We adopted the new requirements in the first quarter of 2015. Adoption of these updated requirements did not have an effect on our consolidated financial statements. We have determined that all other recently issued accounting standards will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or do not apply to our operations.