Reportable Segments (Capital Expenditures, Depreciation and Total Assets) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital Expenditures	$ 16,226	$ 20,295	$ 12,046
Depreciation and Amortization	16,138	13,343	14,148
Total Assets	509,723	512,361
Joining Materials
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital Expenditures	3,135	2,951	1,574
Depreciation and Amortization	2,682	1,110	1,373
Total Assets	108,621	53,088
Tubing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital Expenditures	3,679	5,157	2,882
Depreciation and Amortization	2,399	2,250	2,201
Total Assets	37,550	36,096
Building Materials
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital Expenditures	3,424	4,776	1,049
Depreciation and Amortization	4,600	4,132	4,049
Total Assets	134,320	121,392
Arlon
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital Expenditures	4,482	5,113	5,055
Depreciation and Amortization	4,211	3,828	4,041
Total Assets	71,046	66,255
Kasco
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital Expenditures	1,339	2,236	1,422
Depreciation and Amortization	2,095	1,920	2,199
Total Assets	23,612	25,215
Corporate and other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital Expenditures	167	62	64
Depreciation and Amortization	151	103	285
Total Assets	133,923	178,204
Discontinued operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	651	32,111
Inactive Properties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	$ 9,400	$ 8,200