Segment Information (Description Of Comparative Segment Reporting Information) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended										12 Months Ended
	Oct. 28, 2011		Jul. 29, 2011	Apr. 29, 2011	Jan. 28, 2011	Oct. 29, 2010		Jul. 30, 2010	Apr. 30, 2010	Jan. 29, 2010	Oct. 28, 2011		Oct. 29, 2010		Oct. 30, 2009
Less Intersegment Sales											$ (111,814)		$ (100,302)		$ (92,367)
Total Net Sales	1,047,339		1,070,482	992,729	842,404	876,839		873,915	803,570	672,363	3,952,954		3,226,687		2,879,042
Total EBIT											(41,643)		377,464		288,722
Interest Expense											61,511		58,267		50,394
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes											(103,154)		319,197		238,328
Total Depreciation and Amortization											97,747		81,312		82,862
Total Identifiable Assets	3,500,151					3,867,936					3,500,151		3,867,936		3,511,024
Total Capital Expenditures											66,469		67,732		57,897
Coatings [Member]
Total Net Sales											2,092,490		1,814,804		1,582,786
Total EBIT											(112,209)		256,466		185,528
Total Depreciation and Amortization											47,205		45,006		45,439
Total Identifiable Assets	2,118,589					2,368,262					2,118,589		2,368,262		2,293,130
Total Capital Expenditures											32,284		30,355		25,761
Paints [Member]
Total Net Sales											1,612,219		1,176,831		1,072,372
Total EBIT											134,886		151,432		135,561
Total Depreciation and Amortization											34,202		18,686		18,566
Total Identifiable Assets	1,030,712					1,117,485					1,030,712		1,117,485		818,732
Total Capital Expenditures											18,650		16,644		8,047
All Other [Member]
Total Net Sales											360,059		335,354		316,251
Total EBIT											(64,320)		(30,434)		(32,367)
Total Depreciation and Amortization											16,340		17,620		18,857
Total Identifiable Assets	350,850	[1]				382,189	[1]				350,850	[1]	382,189	[1]	399,162	[1]
Total Capital Expenditures											$ 15,535		$ 20,733		$ 24,089

[1] Includes our consolidated cash and cash equivalent balances and restricted cash.