Asbestos Liability, Noncurrent

No definition available.

Name:	rpm_AsbestosLiabilityNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	rpm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contingency Period

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rpm_ContingencyPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	rpm_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage Of Issuance Of Common Stock

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rpm_PercentageOfIssuanceOfCommonStock
Namespace Prefix:	rpm_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	rpm_ReorganizationLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	rpm_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of expense provided in the period for legal costs incurred on or before the balance sheet date pertaining to resolved, pending or threatened litigation, including arbitration and mediation proceedings.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LegalFees
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of reserves for the costs of settling insured claims and costs incurred in the claims settlement process attributable to asbestos and environmental claims, before estimated recoveries from reinsurers.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 40

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6482485&loc=d3e14764-158437

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LiabilityForAsbestosAndEnvironmentalClaimsGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in asbestos and environmental claims reserve, before estimated recoveries from reinsurers.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 40

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (b),(c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6482485&loc=d3e14764-158437

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LiabilityForAsbestosAndEnvironmentalClaimsGrossPeriodIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of asbestos claims paid in the current period, net of reinsurance recoveries.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 40

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6482485&loc=d3e14764-158437

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LiabilityForAsbestosAndEnvironmentalClaimsNetClaimsPaid
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Reorganization Proceedings of Certain Subsidiaries - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013	May 31, 2010	May 31, 2008	Nov. 30, 2013 Asbestos Trust	May 31, 2008 Subsidiaries	May 31, 2013 Subsidiaries	May 30, 2010 Subsidiaries	May 31, 2006 Subsidiaries
Reorganization [Line Items]
Asbestos-related products liability claims paid		$ 92,600,000		$ 125,000,000
Percentage of issuance of common stock				100.00%
Current and future asbestos claims						1,170,000,000
Asbestos-related products liability, defense-related payments	400,000	42,600,000
Accrued liability for asbestos					559,700,000		397,700,000	421,300,000
Asbestos liability, term			10 years
Increase in Asbestos liability					$ 288,100,000