Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 85,508	$ 75,198	$ 71,987	$ 58,452	$ 67,574	$ 49,676	$ 65,843	$ 63,009
Gross profits	18,380	15,718	17,183	16,210	15,153	14,913	16,379	15,766	$ 67,491	$ 62,211	$ 58,032
Net income attributable to Green Brick Partners, Inc.	$ 4,693	$ 2,826	$ 3,788	$ 4,018	$ 31,573	$ 3,694	$ 7,410	$ 7,349	$ 15,325	$ 50,026	$ 32,007
Net income attributable to Green Brick Partners, Inc. per common share:(1)
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.10	$ 0.06	$ 0.12	$ 0.13	$ 1.24	$ 0.33	$ 0.67	$ 0.66	$ 0.38	$ 3.40	$ 2.88
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.10	$ 0.06	$ 0.12	$ 0.13	$ 1.24	$ 0.33	$ 0.67	$ 0.66	$ 0.38	$ 3.40	$ 2.88