Cover Page - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	May 08, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	FOUNDATION BUILDING MATERIALS, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001688941
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding (in shares)		43,202,787
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Document Quarterly Report	true
City Area Code	714
Local Phone Number	380-3127
Entity File Number	001-38009
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	81-4259606
Entity Address, Address Line One	2520 Red Hill Avenue
Entity Address, City or Town	Santa Ana
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	92705
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Trading Symbol	FBM
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Document Transition Report	false