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Business Combinations, Discontinued Operations and Related Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2013
Mar. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Nov. 30, 2013
Business Combinations Discontinued Operations And Related Transactions [Line Items]                        
Sale of furniture components segment                   $ 58.0us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses    
Gain on sale of discontinued operations                   23.7us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationGainLossFromDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax    
Net income (loss) per share $ 0.03us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDiluted $ 0.08us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDiluted $ 0.05us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDiluted $ 0.05us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDiluted $ (0.10)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDiluted $ (0.12)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDiluted $ (0.12)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDiluted $ 0.16us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDiluted $ (0.29)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDiluted $ 0.47us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDiluted    
Statutory income tax rate of foreign tax credit               35.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate 35.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate 35.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate    
Land held for development at an aggregate fair value 165.1us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet     158.1us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet       165.1us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet 158.1us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet      
Gain on bargain purchase and remeasurement of our existing investment in acquiree                 54.6vhi_BusinessCombinationGainOnBargainPurchaseAndRemeasurementOfExistingInvestment      
Residential/Planned Community Purposes                        
Business Combinations Discontinued Operations And Related Transactions [Line Items]                        
Land held for development       2,100us-gaap_AreaOfLand
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialRealEstateMember
        2,100us-gaap_AreaOfLand
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialRealEstateMember
     
Commercial and Light Industrial Use                        
Business Combinations Discontinued Operations And Related Transactions [Line Items]                        
Land held for development       400us-gaap_AreaOfLand
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialRealEstateMember
        400us-gaap_AreaOfLand
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialRealEstateMember
     
Basic Management Inc.                        
Business Combinations Discontinued Operations And Related Transactions [Line Items]                        
Equity ownership percentage       32.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementMember
        32.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementMember
     
Indirect controlling interest in subsidiary       50.00%vhi_IndirectControllingInterestInSubsidiary
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementMember
        50.00%vhi_IndirectControllingInterestInSubsidiary
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementMember
     
Business acquisition, percentage of voting interests acquired       31.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementMember
        31.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementMember
     
Controlling interest in subsidiary       63.00%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementMember
        63.00%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementMember
     
LandWell                        
Business Combinations Discontinued Operations And Related Transactions [Line Items]                        
Equity ownership percentage       12.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_LandwellMember
        12.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_LandwellMember
     
Business acquisition, percentage of voting interests acquired       15.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_LandwellMember
        15.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_LandwellMember
     
Controlling interest in subsidiary       27.00%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_LandwellMember
        27.00%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_LandwellMember
     
LandWell | Aggregate General And Limited Interests                        
Business Combinations Discontinued Operations And Related Transactions [Line Items]                        
Controlling interest in subsidiary by parent       77.00%vhi_MinorityInterestControllingPercentageInSubsidiaryByParent
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_LandwellMember
/ us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis
= vhi_AggregateGeneralAndLimitedInterestsMember
        77.00%vhi_MinorityInterestControllingPercentageInSubsidiaryByParent
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_LandwellMember
/ us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis
= vhi_AggregateGeneralAndLimitedInterestsMember
     
LandWell | General Partner                        
Business Combinations Discontinued Operations And Related Transactions [Line Items]                        
Controlling interest in subsidiary       50.00%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_LandwellMember
/ us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis
= us-gaap_GeneralPartnerMember
        50.00%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_LandwellMember
/ us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis
= us-gaap_GeneralPartnerMember
     
Basic Management Inc And Landwell                        
Business Combinations Discontinued Operations And Related Transactions [Line Items]                        
Total fair value of consideration                 32.6us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementIncAndLandwellMember
     
Fair value of consideration, cash                 5.3us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementIncAndLandwellMember
     
Recognized pre-tax gain on business combination                 26.6us-gaap_BusinessCombinationStepAcquisitionEquityInterestInAcquireeRemeasurementGain
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementIncAndLandwellMember
     
Business acquisition estimated fair value                 43.4us-gaap_BusinessCombinationStepAcquisitionEquityInterestInAcquireeFairValue1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementIncAndLandwellMember
     
Business acquisition at carrying value       16.8us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementIncAndLandwellMember
        16.8us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementIncAndLandwellMember
     
Bargain purchase gain recognized                 28.0us-gaap_BusinessCombinationBargainPurchaseGainRecognizedAmount
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementIncAndLandwellMember
     
Land held for development at an aggregate fair value       158.1us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementIncAndLandwellMember
        158.1us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementIncAndLandwellMember
     
Gain on bargain purchase and remeasurement of our existing investment in acquiree                 54.6vhi_BusinessCombinationGainOnBargainPurchaseAndRemeasurementOfExistingInvestment
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementIncAndLandwellMember
     
Basic Management Inc And Landwell | Promissory Note                        
Business Combinations Discontinued Operations And Related Transactions [Line Items]                        
Business combination consideration transferred, liabilities incurred                 19.1us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredLiabilitiesIncurred
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementIncAndLandwellMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
     
Interest on promissory note and deferred payment       3.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementIncAndLandwellMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
        3.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementIncAndLandwellMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
     
Principal prepayments of note               1.7us-gaap_RepaymentsOfNotesPayable
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementIncAndLandwellMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
       
Basic Management Inc And Landwell | Face Value | Deferred Payment                        
Business Combinations Discontinued Operations And Related Transactions [Line Items]                        
Business combination consideration transferred, liabilities incurred                 11.1us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredLiabilitiesIncurred
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementIncAndLandwellMember
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= vhi_DeferredPaymentMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= vhi_FaceValueMember
     
Business combination consideration transferred, deferred payment obligation       11.1vhi_DeferredPaymentObligationFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementIncAndLandwellMember
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= vhi_DeferredPaymentMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= vhi_FaceValueMember
        11.1vhi_DeferredPaymentObligationFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementIncAndLandwellMember
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= vhi_DeferredPaymentMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= vhi_FaceValueMember
     
Interest on promissory note and deferred payment       3.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementIncAndLandwellMember
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= vhi_DeferredPaymentMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= vhi_FaceValueMember
        3.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementIncAndLandwellMember
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= vhi_DeferredPaymentMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= vhi_FaceValueMember
     
Basic Management Inc And Landwell | Present Value | Deferred Payment                        
Business Combinations Discontinued Operations And Related Transactions [Line Items]                        
Business combination consideration transferred, liabilities incurred                 8.2us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredLiabilitiesIncurred
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementIncAndLandwellMember
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= vhi_DeferredPaymentMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= vhi_PresentValueMember
     
Business combination consideration transferred, deferred payment obligation       8.2vhi_DeferredPaymentObligationFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementIncAndLandwellMember
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= vhi_DeferredPaymentMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= vhi_PresentValueMember
        8.2vhi_DeferredPaymentObligationFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementIncAndLandwellMember
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= vhi_DeferredPaymentMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= vhi_PresentValueMember
     
Discount rate                 3.00%us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementIncAndLandwellMember
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= vhi_DeferredPaymentMember
/ us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis
= vhi_PresentValueMember
     
Certain Real Property and Option to Acquire Remaining Parcels                        
Business Combinations Discontinued Operations And Related Transactions [Line Items]                        
Land held for development at an aggregate fair value       14.9us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_CertainRealPropertyAndOptionToAcquireRemainingParcelsMember
        14.9us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_CertainRealPropertyAndOptionToAcquireRemainingParcelsMember
     
Kronos Worldwide, Inc.                        
Business Combinations Discontinued Operations And Related Transactions [Line Items]                        
Repurchase of common stock                     2,000,000us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_KronosMember
 
Repurchased shares                 49,000us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_KronosMember
     
Repurchased shares, value                 0.7us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_KronosMember
     
Shares available for purchase 1,950,000us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_KronosMember
            1,950,000us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_KronosMember
       
Indirect controlling interest in subsidiary 30.00%vhi_IndirectControllingInterestInSubsidiary
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_KronosMember
            30.00%vhi_IndirectControllingInterestInSubsidiary
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_KronosMember
       
CompX | Taiwan Land                        
Business Combinations Discontinued Operations And Related Transactions [Line Items]                        
Cash collected on notes receivable                 3.0us-gaap_ProceedsFromCollectionOfNotesReceivable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_CompXMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_TW
     
CompX | Discontinued operations                        
Business Combinations Discontinued Operations And Related Transactions [Line Items]                        
Sale of furniture components segment                   58.0us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_CompXMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember
   
Gain on sale of discontinued operations                   23.7us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationGainLossFromDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_CompXMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember
   
Gain on sale discontinued operations, net of tax                   15.7us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_CompXMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember
   
Net income (loss) per share                   $ 0.05us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDiluted
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_CompXMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember
   
Reclassification out of AOCI, foreign currency translation adjustment                   $ 10.4us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIRealizedUponSaleOrLiquidationBeforeTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_CompXMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember
   
CompX | Class A                        
Business Combinations Discontinued Operations And Related Transactions [Line Items]                        
Shares available for purchase 678,000us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_CompXMember
/ us-gaap_ShareholdersEquityClassAxis
= vhi_ClassACommonMember
            678,000us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_CompXMember
/ us-gaap_ShareholdersEquityClassAxis
= vhi_ClassACommonMember
       
Entity One | Basic Management Inc.                        
Business Combinations Discontinued Operations And Related Transactions [Line Items]                        
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage                       32.00%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_EntityOneMember
Entity One | LandWell                        
Business Combinations Discontinued Operations And Related Transactions [Line Items]                        
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage                       21.00%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_LandwellMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_EntityOneMember
Nevada Environmental Response Trust | Basic Management Inc.                        
Business Combinations Discontinued Operations And Related Transactions [Line Items]                        
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage                       31.00%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_NevadaEnvironmentalResponseTrustMember
Nevada Environmental Response Trust | LandWell                        
Business Combinations Discontinued Operations And Related Transactions [Line Items]                        
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage                       15.00%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_LandwellMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_NevadaEnvironmentalResponseTrustMember
Entity Three | Basic Management Inc.                        
Business Combinations Discontinued Operations And Related Transactions [Line Items]                        
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage                       5.00%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_BasicManagementMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_EntityThreeMember
Entity Three | LandWell                        
Business Combinations Discontinued Operations And Related Transactions [Line Items]                        
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage                       2.00%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= vhi_LandwellMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_EntityThreeMember