XML 134 R69.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Investment in Affiliate and Other Assets - Components of Net Distributions from LPC (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Summary Of Investment Holdings [Line Items]      
Net distributions (contributions) $ 10.6vhi_EquityMethodInvestmentDistributionsFromContributionsToNet $ 10.9vhi_EquityMethodInvestmentDistributionsFromContributionsToNet $ (20.7)vhi_EquityMethodInvestmentDistributionsFromContributionsToNet
LPC      
Summary Of Investment Holdings [Line Items]      
Distributions from LPC 48.0us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_LouisianaPigmentCompanyMember
70.7us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_LouisianaPigmentCompanyMember
79.5us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_LouisianaPigmentCompanyMember
Contributions to LPC (37.4)vhi_EquityMethodInvestmentContributions
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_LouisianaPigmentCompanyMember
(59.8)vhi_EquityMethodInvestmentContributions
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_LouisianaPigmentCompanyMember
(100.2)vhi_EquityMethodInvestmentContributions
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_LouisianaPigmentCompanyMember
Net distributions (contributions) $ 10.6vhi_EquityMethodInvestmentDistributionsFromContributionsToNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_LouisianaPigmentCompanyMember
$ 10.9vhi_EquityMethodInvestmentDistributionsFromContributionsToNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_LouisianaPigmentCompanyMember
$ (20.7)vhi_EquityMethodInvestmentDistributionsFromContributionsToNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_LouisianaPigmentCompanyMember