Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 481,505	$ 593,974	$ 947,895	$ 1,166,983
Cost of sales	393,660	479,627	771,727	932,310
Gross profit	87,845	114,347	176,168	234,673
Selling, general and administrative expenses	74,645	73,548	152,330	150,366
Restructuring and impairment charges	4,728	1,545	5,039	3,175
Other expense (income):
Interest expense	6,848	7,352	13,588	14,178
Interest earned	(51)	(69)	(135)	(143)
Foreign currency (gains) losses, net	(221)	1,013	(77)	2,323
Miscellaneous expense (income), net	1,841	(124)	2,235	394
Income before income taxes	55	31,082	3,188	64,380
Income tax expense	2,573	11,461	4,292	21,568
Net (loss) income	(2,518)	19,621	(1,104)	42,812
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	330	232	454	533
Net (loss) income attributable to Ferro Corporation	(2,848)	19,389	(1,558)	42,279
Dividends on preferred stock				(165)
Net (loss) income attributable to Ferro Corporation common shareholders	$ (2,848)	$ 19,389	$ (1,558)	$ 42,114
(Loss) earnings per share attributable to Ferro Corporation common shareholders:
Basic (loss) earnings per share	$ (0.03)	$ 0.23	$ (0.02)	$ 0.49
Diluted (loss) earnings per share	$ (0.03)	$ 0.22	$ (0.02)	$ 0.48