NEW MARKETS TAX CREDIT TRANSACTION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jul. 20, 2011 New Markets Tax Credit Transaction	Sep. 30, 2013 New Markets Tax Credit Transaction item	Jul. 20, 2011 Broadwind Services New Markets Tax Credit Transaction
New Markets Tax Credit Transaction
Proceeds from transaction			$ 2,280
Principal amount					10,000
Debt term					15 years
Receivable term				15 years
Potential tax credit that can be generated under the NMTC transaction				3,900
Interest rate (as a percent)					1.40%
Gross loan in the principal amount from the Company to COCRF Investor VIII, LLC				7,720
Interest rate (as a percent)				2.50%
Maximum percentage of a qualified investment available as credit against federal income taxes				39.00%
Period which facility must operate and be in compliance				7 years
Percentage of recapture to which the tax credits are subject				100.00%
Loan origination payment				320
Company's obligation if Capital One exercises its option to put its investment				130
Number of pass-through financing entities created under the structure that are deemed variable interest entities				2
Issue costs paid to third parties recorded as prepaid expenses			262
Amortization period for prepaid expenses for the NMTC arrangement				7 years
Net amount outstanding	$ 2,757	$ 2,956		$ 2,600