Equity and redeemable securities (Schedule of temporary equity) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock in connection with the IPO (Note 2), value	$ 43,313
Redeemable Class A Junior Preferred Stock [Member]
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance	0
Beginning balance (in shares)	5,100
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock in connection with the IPO (Note 2), shares	(5,100)
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock in connection with the IPO (Note 2), value	0
Ending balance (in shares)	0
Ending balance	0
Redeemable Class B Senior Preferred Stock [Member]
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance	36,477
Beginning balance (in shares)	36,388
Dividends accrued on Class B Preferred stock	1,836
Conversion of Saturn Acquisition Holdings, LLC preferred stock to Stock Building Supply Holdings, Inc. preferred stock (Note 1)	1,079
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock in connection with the IPO (Note 2), shares	(37,467)
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock in connection with the IPO (Note 2), value	(38,313)
Ending balance (in shares)	0
Ending balance	0
Convertible Class C Preferred Stock [Member]
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance	5,000
Beginning balance (in shares)	5,000
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock in connection with the IPO (Note 2), shares	(5,000)
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock in connection with the IPO (Note 2), value	(5,000)
Ending balance (in shares)	0
Ending balance	$ 0