Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 408,104	$ 408,865	$ 1,261,083	$ 1,344,836
Cost of sales	323,857	348,155	1,009,945	1,112,587
Gross profit	84,247	60,710	251,138	232,249
Selling, general and administrative expenses	59,078	63,863	184,986	202,675
Restructuring and impairment charges	3,834	198,695	26,738	203,734
Other expense (income):
Interest expense	6,766	6,716	21,034	19,566
Interest earned	(48)	(57)	(171)	(192)
Foreign currency losses, net	1,308	869	4,016	792
Miscellaneous (income) expense, net	(209)	797	(9,493)	3,038
Income (loss) before income taxes	13,518	(210,173)	24,028	(197,364)
Income tax expense	474	105,447	4,025	113,115
Income (loss) from continuing operations	13,044	(315,620)	20,003	(310,479)
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		(118)	(8,421)	917
Net income (loss)	13,044	(315,738)	11,582	(309,562)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	392	376	177	830
Net income (loss) attributable to Ferro Corporation common shareholders	$ 12,652	$ (316,114)	$ 11,405	$ (310,392)
Basic earnings (loss):
From continuing operations	$ 0.15	$ (3.66)	$ 0.23	$ (3.61)
From discontinued operations			$ (0.10)	$ 0.01
Total	$ 0.15	$ (3.66)	$ 0.13	$ (3.60)
Diluted earnings (loss):
From continuing operations	$ 0.15	$ (3.66)	$ 0.23	$ (3.61)
From discontinued operations			$ (0.10)	$ 0.01
Total	$ 0.15	$ (3.66)	$ 0.13	$ (3.60)