Name:	ful_EnvironmentalRemediationObligationsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	ful
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Name:	ful_InsurancePaymentsReceivedOrExpectedToBeReceived
Namespace Prefix:	ful
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	ful_LossContingencyProductLiabilityAccrualCarryingValuePayments
Namespace Prefix:	ful
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	ful_LossContingencyProductLiabilityClaimsSettledAndDismissedNumber
Namespace Prefix:	ful
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	ful_LossContingencyProductLiabilityPaymentsByInsurers
Namespace Prefix:	ful
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	ful_LossContingencyProductLiabilitySettlementAgreementConsideration
Namespace Prefix:	ful
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total costs accrued as of the balance sheet date for environmental loss contingencies.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 410
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6393242&loc=d3e13207-110859

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 25
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6395460&loc=d3e13647-108346

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Statement of Position (SOP)
-Number 96-1
-Paragraph 161
-Subparagraph a
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 5
-Paragraph 9
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14326-108349

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount due in settlement of a claim for reimbursement from an insurance company when the Company has suffered a loss covered under an insurance policy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InsuranceSettlementsReceivable
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The estimated aggregate undiscounted amount of the accrual for damages arising from third-party use of the entity's product(s) or process(es) as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 5
-Section Y
-Paragraph Question 1

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.Y.Q1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6572457&loc=d3e149879-122751

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualProductLiabilityGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProductLiabilityContingencyLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			9 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2011	Aug. 27, 2011 Soracaba Brazil [Member]	Aug. 27, 2011 Asbestos Related Lawsuits And Claims [Member]	Aug. 28, 2010 Asbestos Related Lawsuits And Claims [Member]	Aug. 27, 2011 Group Settlement Asbestos Related Lawsuits And Claims [Member]	Nov. 27, 2010 Group Settlement Asbestos Related Lawsuits And Claims [Member]	Dec. 01, 2007 Group Settlement Asbestos Related Lawsuits And Claims [Member]
Environmental Remediation Obligations [Line Items]
Total environmental reserve	$ 2,253	$ 1,013
Product Liability Contingency [Line Items]
Lawsuits and claims settled			5	3
Settlement amounts			390	448
Insurance receivable			559		376	510	2,043
Loss contingency accrual product liability			811		590	800	4,114
Loss contingency accrual payments					210	1,674
Loss contingency payments by insurers					134	892
Insurance Payments Received Or Expected To Be Received			$ 305	$ 359