Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Parenthetical) (Detail) (Metal Framing, USD $)	12 Months Ended
May 31, 2011
Metal Framing
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Gain on Deconsolidation	$ 686,000

The decrease in the valuation allowance due to the deconsolidation of the company's metal framing business.

No definition available.

Name:	wor_DeconsolidationGainLossNetAmount
Namespace Prefix:	wor_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration