Restructuring (Restructuring And Impairment Charges By Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 25, 2013	Jan. 27, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Liability Beginning Balance	$ 9,009	$ 10,446
Expense	0	5,097
Activity	(2,552)	(5,820)
Liability Ending Balance	6,457	9,723
Coatings [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Liability Beginning Balance	2,624	6,686
Expense	0	389
Activity	(252)	(1,937)
Liability Ending Balance	2,372	5,138
Paints [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Liability Beginning Balance	6,088	3,323
Expense	0	4,026
Activity	(2,248)	(3,552)
Liability Ending Balance	3,840	3,797
All Other [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Liability Beginning Balance	297	437
Expense	0	682
Activity	(52)	(331)
Liability Ending Balance	245	788
Severance And Employee Benefits [Member] | Coatings [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Liability Beginning Balance	2,234	3,884
Expense	0	136
Activity	(123)	(1,455)
Liability Ending Balance	2,111	2,565
Severance And Employee Benefits [Member] | Paints [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Liability Beginning Balance	2,104	2,915
Expense	0	2,082
Activity	(1,695)	(1,478)
Liability Ending Balance	409	3,519
Severance And Employee Benefits [Member] | All Other [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Liability Beginning Balance	297	437
Expense	0	682
Activity	(52)	(331)
Liability Ending Balance	245	788
Asset Impairments [Member] | Coatings [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Liability Beginning Balance		0
Expense		89
Asset impairments		(89)
Liability Ending Balance		0
Asset Impairments [Member] | Paints [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Liability Beginning Balance		0
Expense		1,265
Asset impairments		(1,265)
Liability Ending Balance		0
Exit Costs (Consulting/Site Clean-Up) [Member] | Coatings [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Liability Beginning Balance	390	2,802
Expense	0	164
Activity	(129)	(393)
Liability Ending Balance	261	2,573
Exit Costs (Consulting/Site Clean-Up) [Member] | Paints [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Liability Beginning Balance	3,984	408
Expense	0	679
Activity	(553)	(809)
Liability Ending Balance	$ 3,431	$ 278