Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
Apr. 02, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation Nortek, Inc. (“Nortek”) and all of its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively the “Company”) is a global, diversified company whose many market-leading brands deliver broad capabilities and a wide array of innovative, technology-driven products and solutions for lifestyle improvement at home and at work. Operating within five principal reporting segments (see Note I, “Segment Information and Concentration of Risk”), the Company manufactures and sells, primarily in the United States, Canada and Europe, with additional manufacturing in China and Mexico, a wide variety of products for the remodeling and replacement markets, the residential and commercial new construction markets, and the personal and enterprise computer markets. The Company operates on a calendar year, and each interim period is comprised of two 4-week periods and one 5-week period, with each week ending on a Saturday. The Company's fiscal year always begins on January 1 and ends on December 31. As a result, the Company's first and fourth quarters may have more or less days included than a traditional 4-4-5 fiscal calendar, which consists of 91 days. The first three months ended April 2, 2016 ("first quarter of 2016") and March 28, 2015 ("first quarter of 2015") included 93 days and 87 days, respectively. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows of the Company after elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions, without audit and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature necessary for a fair statement of the interim periods presented. Although certain information and disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP") have been omitted, the Company believes that the disclosures included are adequate to make the information presented herein not misleading. Operating results for the first quarter of 2016 and 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for other interim periods or for any fiscal year. Certain amounts in the prior periods' unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. As a result of certain acquisitions and a disposition as discussed in Note B, “Acquisitions and Dispositions”, the operating results of these acquired entities are included in the Company’s consolidated results of operations from the date of acquisition prospectively and the results of operations from dispositions are excluded commencing on the date of disposition. The Company has entered into certain arrangements with an independent third party in Mexico related to the Company’s manufacturing operations in Mexico. The Company has evaluated the operating entities that were formed under these arrangements and has determined that these entities are variable interest entities in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 810, "Consolidation" ("ASC 810"). The Company has concluded that it is the primary beneficiary of these entities since it has both the power to direct activities that most significantly impact the entities' economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses that could potentially be significant since the Company is responsible for all operating decisions and all operating costs of these entities. As a result, the Company is consolidating the results of these entities in accordance with ASC 810. For the first quarter of 2016 and 2015, the results of operations of these entities included in the Company’s statement of operations were not material. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 ("2015 Form 10-K") and Current Reports on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). During the second quarter of 2015, the Company transferred the management of its UK commercial HVAC subsidiary from the Custom and Commercial Air Solutions ("CAS") segment to the Residential and Commercial HVAC ("RCH") segment. As a result, the Company has restated prior period segment disclosures to conform to the new segment composition. This UK subsidiary did not have any goodwill or other long-lived assets; as such, the Company was not required to perform a long-lived asset impairment analysis. New Accounting Pronouncements In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting ("ASU 2016-09"). ASU 2016-09 impacts several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The amendments in ASU 2016-09 are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for any entity in any interim or annual period. If an entity early adopts the amendments in an interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. Additionally, an entity that elects early adoption must adopt all of the amendments in the same period. The Company will adopt ASU 2016-09 in the first quarter of 2017 and is currently evaluating the impact of adoption on its financial position and results from operations. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-06, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments ("ASU 2016-06"). ASU 2016-06 clarifies the requirements for assessing whether contingent call (put) options that can accelerate the payment of principal on debt instruments are clearly and closely related to their debt hosts. An entity performing the assessment under the amendments in ASU 2016-06 is required to assess the embedded call (put) options solely in accordance with the four-step decision sequence. The amendments in ASU 2016-06 are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company will adopt ASU 2016-06 in the first quarter of 2018 and is currently evaluating the impact of adoption on its financial position and results from operations. In February 2016, the FASB issued its new leases standard, ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) ("ASU 2016-02"). ASU 2016-02 is aimed at the recognition of most leases on lessees’ balance sheets, but also changes aspects of lessor accounting. ASU 2016-02 is effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within that year and early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this standard effective January 1, 2019. This standard is expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s current accounting for its lease arrangements, particularly its current operating lease arrangements, as well as, disclosures. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption on its financial position and results from operations. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330) - Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory ("ASU 2015-11"), which simplifies the subsequent measurement of inventories by replacing the lower of cost or market test with a lower of cost and net realizable value test. The guidance applies only to inventories for which cost is determined by methods other than last-in first-out ("LIFO") and the retail inventory method. The guidance in ASU No. 2015-11 is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this pronouncement in the first quarter of 2017 and is currently evaluating the impact, if any, adoption will have on its financial position and results of operations. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal Use Software (Subtopic 350-40) - Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement ("ASU 2015-05"), which provides guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. Consequently, all software licenses within the scope of Subtopic 350-40 will be accounted for consistent with other licenses of intangible assets. The Company was required to adopt ASU 2015-05 effective January 1, 2016. The Company adopted this pronouncement prospectively in the first quarter of 2016 and the adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs ("ASU 2015-03"), which provides guidance on simplifying the presentation of debt issuance costs on the balance sheet. To simplify presentation of debt issuance costs, the amendments in ASU No. 2015-03 require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs was not affected by the amendments in this update. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements—Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcement at June 18, 2015 EITF Meeting (SEC Update) ("ASU 2015-15"), to address the presentation or subsequent measurement of debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements. Under ASU 2015-15, entities are permitted to defer and present debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortize the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of credit-arrangement. The Company adopted these pronouncements retrospectively in the first quarter of 2016. As a result of the adoption, the Company reclassified approximately $12.6 million and $13.5 million of unamortized debt issuance costs from other long-term assets to notes, mortgage notes and obligations payable, less current maturities on its condensed consolidated balance sheet at April 2, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. There was no impact to the Company's statement of operations or cash flow as a result of the adoption. In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis ("ASU 2015-02"). The amendments of ASU No. 2015-02 were issued in an effort to minimize situations under previously existing guidance in which a reporting entity was required to consolidate another legal entity in which that reporting entity did not have: (1) the ability through contractual rights to act primarily on its own behalf; (2) ownership of the majority of the legal entity's voting rights; or (3) the exposure to a majority of the legal entity's economic benefits. ASU No. 2015-02 affects reporting entities that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. All legal entities are subject to reevaluation under the revised consolidation model. The guidance in ASU No. 2015-02 was effective for the Company January 1, 2016. The Company adopted this pronouncement prospectively in the first quarter of 2016 and the adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40) ("ASU 2014-15"), which provides guidance about management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. The amendments require management to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern by incorporating and expanding upon certain principles that are currently in U.S. auditing standards. Specifically, the amendments (1) provide a definition of the term "substantial doubt", (2) require an evaluation every reporting period including interim periods, (3) provide principles for considering the mitigating effect of management’s plans, (4) require certain disclosures when substantial doubt is alleviated as a result of consideration of management’s plans, (5) require an express statement and other disclosures when substantial doubt is not alleviated, and (6) require an assessment for a period of one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued). ASU 2014-15 is effective for annual reporting periods ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this pronouncement for the year ended December 31, 2016 and does not expect adoption to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) ("ASU 2014-09"). ASU 2014-09 is a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard that will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The core principle under ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 also specifies the accounting for some costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer. ASU 2014-09 also requires additional disclosures about the nature, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments. On July 9, 2015, the FASB decided to defer the effective date for this standard to annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods therein. Early adoption is permitted, but not before January 1, 2017, and an entity may apply the amendments in ASU 2014-09 either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying ASU 2014-09 at the date of initial application. Currently, the Company is evaluating both the method of adoption and the impact adoption will have on its consolidated financial statements. In evaluating the method of adoption, the Company is considering a number of factors, including the disclosure requirements and related processes and controls required, as well as, the overall industry and peer public company adoption method trends.

Basis of Presentation

Nortek, Inc. (“Nortek”) and all of its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively the “Company”) is a global, diversified company whose many market-leading brands deliver broad capabilities and a wide array of innovative, technology-driven products and solutions for lifestyle improvement at home and at work. Operating within five principal reporting segments (see Note I, “Segment Information and Concentration of Risk”), the Company manufactures and sells, primarily in the United States, Canada and Europe, with additional manufacturing in China and Mexico, a wide variety of products for the remodeling and replacement markets, the residential and commercial new construction markets, and the personal and enterprise computer markets.

The Company operates on a calendar year, and each interim period is comprised of two 4-week periods and one 5-week period, with each week ending on a Saturday. The Company's fiscal year always begins on January 1 and ends on December 31. As a result, the Company's first and fourth quarters may have more or less days included than a traditional 4-4-5 fiscal calendar, which consists of 91 days. The first three months ended April 2, 2016 ("first quarter of 2016") and March 28, 2015 ("first quarter of 2015") included 93 days and 87 days, respectively.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows of the Company after elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions, without audit and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature necessary for a fair statement of the interim periods presented. Although certain information and disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP") have been omitted, the Company believes that the disclosures included are adequate to make the information presented herein not misleading. Operating results for the first quarter of 2016 and 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for other interim periods or for any fiscal year. Certain amounts in the prior periods' unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

As a result of certain acquisitions and a disposition as discussed in Note B, “Acquisitions and Dispositions”, the operating results of these acquired entities are included in the Company’s consolidated results of operations from the date of acquisition prospectively and the results of operations from dispositions are excluded commencing on the date of disposition. The Company has entered into certain arrangements with an independent third party in Mexico related to the Company’s manufacturing operations in Mexico. The Company has evaluated the operating entities that were formed under these arrangements and has determined that these entities are variable interest entities in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 810, "Consolidation" ("ASC 810"). The Company has concluded that it is the primary beneficiary of these entities since it has both the power to direct activities that most significantly impact the entities' economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses that could potentially be significant since the Company is responsible for all operating decisions and all operating costs of these entities. As a result, the Company is consolidating the results of these entities in accordance with ASC 810. For the first quarter of 2016 and 2015, the results of operations of these entities included in the Company’s statement of operations were not material.

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 ("2015 Form 10-K") and Current Reports on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").

During the second quarter of 2015, the Company transferred the management of its UK commercial HVAC subsidiary from the Custom and Commercial Air Solutions ("CAS") segment to the Residential and Commercial HVAC ("RCH") segment. As a result, the Company has restated prior period segment disclosures to conform to the new segment composition. This UK subsidiary did not have any goodwill or other long-lived assets; as such, the Company was not required to perform a long-lived asset impairment analysis.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting ("ASU 2016-09"). ASU 2016-09 impacts several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The amendments in ASU 2016-09 are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for any entity in any interim or annual period. If an entity early adopts the amendments in an interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. Additionally, an entity that elects early adoption must adopt all of the amendments in the same period. The Company will adopt ASU 2016-09 in the first quarter of 2017 and is currently evaluating the impact of adoption on its financial position and results from operations.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-06, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments ("ASU 2016-06"). ASU 2016-06 clarifies the requirements for assessing whether contingent call (put) options that can accelerate the payment of principal on debt instruments are clearly and closely related to their debt hosts. An entity performing the assessment under the amendments in ASU 2016-06 is required to assess the embedded call (put) options solely in accordance with the four-step decision sequence. The amendments in ASU 2016-06 are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company will adopt ASU 2016-06 in the first quarter of 2018 and is currently evaluating the impact of adoption on its financial position and results from operations.

In February 2016, the FASB issued its new leases standard, ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) ("ASU 2016-02"). ASU 2016-02 is aimed at the recognition of most leases on lessees’ balance sheets, but also changes aspects of lessor accounting. ASU 2016-02 is effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within that year and early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this standard effective January 1, 2019. This standard is expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s current accounting for its lease arrangements, particularly its current operating lease arrangements, as well as, disclosures. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption on its financial position and results from operations.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330) - Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory ("ASU 2015-11"), which simplifies the subsequent measurement of inventories by replacing the lower of cost or market test with a lower of cost and net realizable value test. The guidance applies only to inventories for which cost is determined by methods other than last-in first-out ("LIFO") and the retail inventory method. The guidance in ASU No. 2015-11 is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this pronouncement in the first quarter of 2017 and is currently evaluating the impact, if any, adoption will have on its financial position and results of operations.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal Use Software (Subtopic 350-40) - Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement ("ASU 2015-05"), which provides guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. Consequently, all software licenses within the scope of Subtopic 350-40 will be accounted for consistent with other licenses of intangible assets. The Company was required to adopt ASU 2015-05 effective January 1, 2016. The Company adopted this pronouncement prospectively in the first quarter of 2016 and the adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs ("ASU 2015-03"), which provides guidance on simplifying the presentation of debt issuance costs on the balance sheet. To simplify presentation of debt issuance costs, the amendments in ASU No. 2015-03 require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs was not affected by the amendments in this update. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements—Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcement at June 18, 2015 EITF Meeting (SEC Update) ("ASU 2015-15"), to address the presentation or subsequent measurement of debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements. Under ASU 2015-15, entities are permitted to defer and present debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortize the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of credit-arrangement. The Company adopted these pronouncements retrospectively in the first quarter of 2016. As a result of the adoption, the Company reclassified approximately $12.6 million and $13.5 million of unamortized debt issuance costs from other long-term assets to notes, mortgage notes and obligations payable, less current maturities on its condensed consolidated balance sheet at April 2, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. There was no impact to the Company's statement of operations or cash flow as a result of the adoption.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis ("ASU 2015-02"). The amendments of ASU No. 2015-02 were issued in an effort to minimize situations under previously existing guidance in which a reporting entity was required to consolidate another legal entity in which that reporting entity did not have: (1) the ability through contractual rights to act primarily on its own behalf; (2) ownership of the majority of the legal entity's voting rights; or (3) the exposure to a majority of the legal entity's economic benefits. ASU No. 2015-02 affects reporting entities that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. All legal entities are subject to reevaluation under the revised consolidation model. The guidance in ASU No. 2015-02 was effective for the Company January 1, 2016. The Company adopted this pronouncement prospectively in the first quarter of 2016 and the adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40) ("ASU 2014-15"), which provides guidance about management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. The amendments require management to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern by incorporating and expanding upon certain principles that are currently in U.S. auditing standards. Specifically, the amendments (1) provide a definition of the term "substantial doubt", (2) require an evaluation every reporting period including interim periods, (3) provide principles for considering the mitigating effect of management’s plans, (4) require certain disclosures when substantial doubt is alleviated as a result of consideration of management’s plans, (5) require an express statement and other disclosures when substantial doubt is not alleviated, and (6) require an assessment for a period of one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued). ASU 2014-15 is effective for annual reporting periods ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this pronouncement for the year ended December 31, 2016 and does not expect adoption to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) ("ASU 2014-09"). ASU 2014-09 is a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard that will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The core principle under ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 also specifies the accounting for some costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer. ASU 2014-09 also requires additional disclosures about the nature, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments. On July 9, 2015, the FASB decided to defer the effective date for this standard to annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods therein. Early adoption is permitted, but not before January 1, 2017, and an entity may apply the amendments in ASU 2014-09 either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying ASU 2014-09 at the date of initial application. Currently, the Company is evaluating both the method of adoption and the impact adoption will have on its consolidated financial statements. In evaluating the method of adoption, the Company is considering a number of factors, including the disclosure requirements and related processes and controls required, as well as, the overall industry and peer public company adoption method trends.