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Business and Geographic Segments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Segment
Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Number of operating segments 4us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments  
Non-U.S. subsidiaries    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Net assets of non-U.S. subsidiaries 703us-gaap_AssetsNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= vhi_NonUSSubsidiariesMember		 $ 708us-gaap_AssetsNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= vhi_NonUSSubsidiariesMember
Kronos Worldwide, Inc.    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Direct controlling interest in subsidiary 50.00%vhi_DirectControllingInterestInSubsidiary
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_KronosMember		  
Indirect controlling interest in subsidiary 30.00%vhi_IndirectControllingInterestInSubsidiary
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_KronosMember		  
NL    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Total controlling interest 83.00%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_NlIndustriesIncMember		  
BMI    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Total controlling interest 63.00%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementMember		  
LandWell    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Direct controlling interest in subsidiary 27.00%vhi_DirectControllingInterestInSubsidiary
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_LandwellMember		  
Indirect controlling interest in subsidiary 50.00%vhi_IndirectControllingInterestInSubsidiary
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_LandwellMember