Segment Information (Description Of Comparative Segment Reporting Information) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended										12 Months Ended
	Oct. 26, 2012		Jul. 27, 2012	Apr. 27, 2012	Jan. 27, 2012	Oct. 28, 2011		Jul. 29, 2011	Apr. 29, 2011	Jan. 28, 2011	Oct. 26, 2012		Oct. 28, 2011		Oct. 29, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Less Intersegment Sales											$ (140,133)		$ (111,814)		$ (100,302)
Total Net Sales	1,024,284		1,078,348	1,032,572	885,647	1,047,339		1,070,482	992,729	842,404	4,020,851		3,952,954		3,226,687
Total EBIT											484,828		(41,643)		377,464
Interest Expense											67,604		61,511		58,267
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes											417,224		(103,154)		319,197
Total Depreciation and Amortization											93,704		97,747		81,312
Total Identifiable Assets	3,626,836					3,500,151					3,626,836		3,500,151		3,867,936
Total Capital Expenditures											89,363		66,469		67,732
Coatings [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Net Sales											2,176,732		2,092,490		1,814,804
Total EBIT											356,389		(112,209)		256,466
Total Depreciation and Amortization											39,166		47,205		45,006
Total Identifiable Assets	2,071,211					2,118,589					2,071,211		2,118,589		2,368,262
Total Capital Expenditures											52,575		32,284		30,355
Paints [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Net Sales											1,604,599		1,612,219		1,176,831
Total EBIT											159,598		134,886		151,432
Total Depreciation and Amortization											35,220		34,202		18,686
Total Identifiable Assets	1,174,252					1,030,712					1,174,252		1,030,712		1,117,485
Total Capital Expenditures											20,839		18,650		16,644
All Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Net Sales											379,653		360,059		335,354
Total EBIT											(31,159)		(64,320)		(30,434)
Total Depreciation and Amortization											19,318		16,340		17,620
Total Identifiable Assets	381,373	[1]				350,850	[1]				381,373	[1]	350,850	[1]	382,189	[1]
Total Capital Expenditures											$ 15,949		$ 15,535		$ 20,733

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