<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
  <Version>2.4.0.6</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>503</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>551</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>138</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>10</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003501 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004001 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1037000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfStockholdersInvestment</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104100 - Disclosure - Acquisitions and Other Investments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/AcquisitionsAndOtherInvestments</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions and Other Investments</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Notes)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - Notes, Mortgage Notes and Obligations Payable</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/NotesMortgageNotesAndObligationsPayable</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes, Mortgage Notes and Obligations Payable</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2113100 - Disclosure - Exit and Disposal Activities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/ExitAndDisposalActivities</Role>
      <ShortName>Exit and Disposal Activities</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2116100 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2119100 - Disclosure - Accrued Expenses and Taxes, Net and Other Long-Term Liabilities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/AccruedExpensesAndTaxesNetAndOtherLongTermLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Expenses and Taxes, Net and Other Long-Term Liabilities</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2122100 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2125100 - Disclosure - Segment Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/SegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2128100 - Disclosure - Equity Activity (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/EquityActivityNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Activity (Notes)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2131100 - Disclosure - Earnings (Loss) per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/EarningsLossPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings (Loss) per Share</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2132100 - Disclosure - Share-base Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/ShareBaseCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-base Compensation</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2133100 - Disclosure - Pension, Profit Sharing &amp; Other Post-Retirement Benefits</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/PensionProfitSharingOtherPostRetirementBenefits</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension, Profit Sharing &amp; Other Post-Retirement Benefits</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2134100 - Disclosure - Retirement of Former Chief Executive Officer</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/RetirementOfFormerChiefExecutiveOfficer</Role>
      <ShortName>Retirement of Former Chief Executive Officer</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2135100 - Disclosure - Fair Value</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/FairValue</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2136100 - Disclosure - Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/CashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Cash Flows</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2137100 - Disclosure - Summarized Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/SummarizedQuarterlyFinancialDataUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Summarized Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2138100 - Disclosure - Guarantor Financial Statements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/GuarantorFinancialStatements</Role>
      <ShortName>Guarantor Financial Statements</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2139100 - Schedule - Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/ScheduleiiValuationAndQualifyingAccounts</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2201201 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307301 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2310301 - Disclosure - Notes, Mortgage Notes and Obligations Payable (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/NotesMortgageNotesAndObligationsPayableTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes, Mortgage Notes and Obligations Payable (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2313301 - Disclosure - Exit and Disposal Activities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/ExitAndDisposalActivitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Exit and Disposal Activities (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2316301 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2319301 - Disclosure - Accrued Expenses and Taxes, Net and Other Long-Term Liabilities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/AccruedExpensesAndTaxesNetAndOtherLongTermLiabilitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Expenses and Taxes, Net and Other Long-Term Liabilities (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2322301 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2325301 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/SegmentInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2328301 - Disclosure - Equity Activity (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/EquityActivityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Activity (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2331301 - Disclosure - Earnings (Loss) per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/EarningsLossPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings (Loss) per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2332301 - Disclosure - Share-base Compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/ShareBaseCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-base Compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2333301 - Disclosure - Pension, Profit Sharing &amp; Other Post-Retirement Benefits (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/PensionProfitSharingOtherPostRetirementBenefitsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension, Profit Sharing &amp; Other Post-Retirement Benefits (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2336301 - Disclosure - Cash Flows (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/CashFlowsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Cash Flows (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2337301 - Disclosure - Summarized Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/SummarizedQuarterlyFinancialDataUnauditedTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Summarized Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2338301 - Disclosure - Guarantor Financial Statements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/GuarantorFinancialStatementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Guarantor Financial Statements (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401402 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Basis of Presentation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesBasisOfPresentationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Basis of Presentation (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401403 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesCashAndCashEquivalentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401404 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Inventories (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesInventoriesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Inventories (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401405 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Estimated Useful Lives (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesEstimatedUsefulLivesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Estimated Useful Lives (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401406 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Research and Development (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesResearchAndDevelopmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Research and Development (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401407 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Related Party Transaction (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesRelatedPartyTransactionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Related Party Transaction (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404401 - Disclosure - Acquisitions and Other Investments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/AcquisitionsAndOtherInvestmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions and Other Investments (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407402 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Activity in Goodwill by Reporting Segment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsActivityInGoodwillByReportingSegmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Activity in Goodwill by Reporting Segment (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407403 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Major Components of Intangible Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsMajorComponentsOfIntangibleAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Major Components of Intangible Assets (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407404 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Estimated Future Intangible Asset Amortization Expense (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsEstimatedFutureIntangibleAssetAmortizationExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Estimated Future Intangible Asset Amortization Expense (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407405 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410402 - Disclosure - Notes, Mortgage Notes and Obligations Payable - Short-term Bank Obligations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/NotesMortgageNotesAndObligationsPayableShortTermBankObligationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes, Mortgage Notes and Obligations Payable - Short-term Bank Obligations (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410403 - Disclosure - Notes, Mortgage Notes and Obligations Payable - Notes, Mortgage Notes and Obligations Payable (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/NotesMortgageNotesAndObligationsPayableNotesMortgageNotesAndObligationsPayableDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes, Mortgage Notes and Obligations Payable - Notes, Mortgage Notes and Obligations Payable (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410404 - Disclosure - Notes, Mortgage Notes and Obligations Payable - Fourth Quarter 2012 Debt Transaction (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/NotesMortgageNotesAndObligationsPayableFourthQuarter2012DebtTransactionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes, Mortgage Notes and Obligations Payable - Fourth Quarter 2012 Debt Transaction (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410405 - Disclosure - Notes, Mortgage Notes and Obligations Payable - Amended &amp; Restated Senior Secured Asset-based Revolving Credit Facility (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/NotesMortgageNotesAndObligationsPayableAmendedRestatedSeniorSecuredAssetBasedRevolvingCreditFacilityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes, Mortgage Notes and Obligations Payable - Amended &amp; Restated Senior Secured Asset-based Revolving Credit Facility (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410406 - Disclosure - Notes, Mortgage Notes and Obligations Payable - Senior Notes and Term Loan Facility (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/NotesMortgageNotesAndObligationsPayableSeniorNotesAndTermLoanFacilityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes, Mortgage Notes and Obligations Payable - Senior Notes and Term Loan Facility (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410407 - Disclosure - Notes, Mortgage Notes and Obligations Payable - Second Quarter 2011 Debt Transactions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/NotesMortgageNotesAndObligationsPayableSecondQuarter2011DebtTransactionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes, Mortgage Notes and Obligations Payable - Second Quarter 2011 Debt Transactions (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410408 - Disclosure - Notes, Mortgage Notes and Obligations Payable - Scheduled Maturities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/NotesMortgageNotesAndObligationsPayableScheduledMaturitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes, Mortgage Notes and Obligations Payable - Scheduled Maturities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413402 - Disclosure - Exit and Disposal Activities (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/ExitAndDisposalActivitiesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Exit and Disposal Activities (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413403 - Disclosure - Exit and Disposal Activities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/ExitAndDisposalActivitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Exit and Disposal Activities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416402 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Future Minimum Rental Obligations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesFutureMinimumRentalObligationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Future Minimum Rental Obligations (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416403 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416404 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Changes Warranty Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesChangesWarrantyLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Changes Warranty Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419402 - Disclosure - Accrued Expenses and Taxes, Net and Other Long-Term Liabilities - Accrued Expenses and Taxes Included in Current Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/AccruedExpensesAndTaxesNetAndOtherLongTermLiabilitiesAccruedExpensesAndTaxesIncludedInCurrentLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Expenses and Taxes, Net and Other Long-Term Liabilities - Accrued Expenses and Taxes Included in Current Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419403 - Disclosure - Accrued Expenses and Taxes, Net and Other Long-Term Liabilities - Accrued Expenses Included in Other Long-term Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/AccruedExpensesAndTaxesNetAndOtherLongTermLiabilitiesAccruedExpensesIncludedInOtherLongTermLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Expenses and Taxes, Net and Other Long-Term Liabilities - Accrued Expenses Included in Other Long-term Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422402 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Components of Earnings (Loss) before Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/IncomeTaxesComponentsOfEarningsLossBeforeProvisionBenefitForIncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Components of Earnings (Loss) before Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422403 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/IncomeTaxesProvisionBenefitForIncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422404 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/IncomeTaxesEffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422405 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/IncomeTaxesDeferredIncomeTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422406 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/IncomeTaxesReconciliationOfUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422407 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2425402 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/SegmentInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2425403 - Disclosure - Segment Information - Segment Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/SegmentInformationSegmentAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information - Segment Assets (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2425404 - Disclosure - Segment Information - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/SegmentInformationNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2428402 - Disclosure - Equity Activity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/EquityActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Activity (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2428403 - Disclosure - Equity Activity - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/EquityActivityNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Activity - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2431402 - Disclosure - Earnings (Loss) per Share - Reconciliations Between Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/EarningsLossPerShareReconciliationsBetweenBasicAndDilutedLossPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings (Loss) per Share - Reconciliations Between Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R80.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2431403 - Disclosure - Earnings (Loss) per Share - Common Share Equivalents Excluded (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/EarningsLossPerShareCommonShareEquivalentsExcludedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings (Loss) per Share - Common Share Equivalents Excluded (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R81.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2432402 - Disclosure - Share-base Compensation - Stock Options Activity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/ShareBaseCompensationStockOptionsActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-base Compensation - Stock Options Activity (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R82.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2432403 - Disclosure - Share-base Compensation - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/ShareBaseCompensationNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-base Compensation - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R83.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2432404 - Disclosure - Share-base Compensation - Fair Value Assumptions Used (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/ShareBaseCompensationFairValueAssumptionsUsedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-base Compensation - Fair Value Assumptions Used (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R84.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2432405 - Disclosure - Share-base Compensation - Restricted Stock Activity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/ShareBaseCompensationRestrictedStockActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-base Compensation - Restricted Stock Activity (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R85.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2433402 - Disclosure - Pension, Profit Sharing &amp; Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/PensionProfitSharingOtherPostRetirementBenefitsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension, Profit Sharing &amp; Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R86.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2433403 - Disclosure - Pension, Profit Sharing &amp; Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Income) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/PensionProfitSharingOtherPostRetirementBenefitsNetPeriodicBenefitCostIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension, Profit Sharing &amp; Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Income) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R87.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2433404 - Disclosure - Pension, Profit Sharing &amp; Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Rollforward of Benefit Obligation and Plan Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/PensionProfitSharingOtherPostRetirementBenefitsRollforwardOfBenefitObligationAndPlanAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension, Profit Sharing &amp; Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Rollforward of Benefit Obligation and Plan Assets (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R88.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2433405 - Disclosure - Pension, Profit Sharing &amp; Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Funded Status (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/PensionProfitSharingOtherPostRetirementBenefitsFundedStatusDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension, Profit Sharing &amp; Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Funded Status (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R89.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2433406 - Disclosure - Pension, Profit Sharing &amp; Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Changes in Assets and Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/PensionProfitSharingOtherPostRetirementBenefitsChangesInAssetsAndObligationsRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension, Profit Sharing &amp; Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Changes in Assets and Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R90.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2433407 - Disclosure - Pension, Profit Sharing &amp; Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/PensionProfitSharingOtherPostRetirementBenefitsAccumulatedBenefitObligationsInExcessOfPlanAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension, Profit Sharing &amp; Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R91.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2433408 - Disclosure - Pension, Profit Sharing &amp; Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Plan Assets by Asset Category (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/PensionProfitSharingOtherPostRetirementBenefitsPlanAssetsByAssetCategoryDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension, Profit Sharing &amp; Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Plan Assets by Asset Category (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R92.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2433409 - Disclosure - Pension, Profit Sharing &amp; Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Change in Fair Value of Level 3 Plan Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/PensionProfitSharingOtherPostRetirementBenefitsChangeInFairValueOfLevel3PlanAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension, Profit Sharing &amp; Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Change in Fair Value of Level 3 Plan Assets (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R93.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2433410 - Disclosure - Pension, Profit Sharing &amp; Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Assumptions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/PensionProfitSharingOtherPostRetirementBenefitsAssumptionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension, Profit Sharing &amp; Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Assumptions (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R94.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2433411 - Disclosure - Pension, Profit Sharing &amp; Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Expected Future Benefit Payments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/PensionProfitSharingOtherPostRetirementBenefitsExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension, Profit Sharing &amp; Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Expected Future Benefit Payments (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R95.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2434401 - Disclosure - Retirement of Former Chief Executive Officer (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/RetirementOfFormerChiefExecutiveOfficerDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Retirement of Former Chief Executive Officer (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R96.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2435401 - Disclosure - Fair Value (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/FairValueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R97.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2436402 - Disclosure - Cash Flows - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/CashFlowsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Cash Flows - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R98.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2436403 - Disclosure - Cash Flows - Net Cash Paid for Acquisitions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/CashFlowsNetCashPaidForAcquisitionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Cash Flows - Net Cash Paid for Acquisitions (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R99.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2437402 - Disclosure - Summarized Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/SummarizedQuarterlyFinancialDataUnauditedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summarized Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R100.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2438402 - Disclosure - Guarantor Financial Statements (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/GuarantorFinancialStatementsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Guarantor Financial Statements (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R101.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2438403 - Disclosure - Guarantor Financial Statements (Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/GuarantorFinancialStatementsCondensedConsolidatingStatementOfOperationsAndComprehensiveIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Guarantor Financial Statements (Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R102.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2438404 - Disclosure - Guarantor Financial Statements (Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/GuarantorFinancialStatementsCondensedConsolidatingBalanceSheetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Guarantor Financial Statements (Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R103.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2438405 - Disclosure - Guarantor Financial Statements (Condensed Consolidating Cash Flow Statement) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/GuarantorFinancialStatementsCondensedConsolidatingCashFlowStatementDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Guarantor Financial Statements (Condensed Consolidating Cash Flow Statement) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R104.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2439401 - Schedule - Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nortek-inc.com/role/ScheduleiiValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate had a mix of decimals attribute values: 3 4.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2404401 - Disclosure - Acquisitions and Other Investments (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1001000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1002000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1003000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2010'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2009'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1003501 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1004000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1004001 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1037000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Sep. 29, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Oct. 01, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Jul. 02, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Apr. 02, 2011'</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>ntks-20121231.xml</File>
    <File>ntks-20121231.xsd</File>
    <File>ntks-20121231_cal.xml</File>
    <File>ntks-20121231_def.xml</File>
    <File>ntks-20121231_lab.xml</File>
    <File>ntks-20121231_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
