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Investment in Affiliate and Other Assets - Components of Net Capitalized Permit Costs (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Other Noncurrent Assets [Line Items]    
Net capitalized permit costs $ 53.2us-gaap_OtherDeferredCostsNet $ 59.5us-gaap_OtherDeferredCostsNet
LLRW License - (expires in 2024) | Permits Subject to Amortization    
Other Noncurrent Assets [Line Items]    
Net capitalized permit costs 49.6us-gaap_OtherDeferredCostsNet
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= vhi_PermitsSubjectToAmortizationMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= vhi_LowLevelRadioactiveWasteLicenseMember
54.0us-gaap_OtherDeferredCostsNet
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= vhi_PermitsSubjectToAmortizationMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= vhi_LowLevelRadioactiveWasteLicenseMember
Byproduct License - (expires in 2018) | Permits Subject to Amortization    
Other Noncurrent Assets [Line Items]    
Net capitalized permit costs 3.5us-gaap_OtherDeferredCostsNet
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= vhi_PermitsSubjectToAmortizationMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= vhi_ByproductLicenseMember
4.6us-gaap_OtherDeferredCostsNet
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= vhi_PermitsSubjectToAmortizationMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= vhi_ByproductLicenseMember
Other - (expires 2014 - 2024) | Permits Subject to Amortization    
Other Noncurrent Assets [Line Items]    
Net capitalized permit costs $ 0.1us-gaap_OtherDeferredCostsNet
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= vhi_PermitsSubjectToAmortizationMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= vhi_OtherOperatingPermitsMember
$ 0.9us-gaap_OtherDeferredCostsNet
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= vhi_PermitsSubjectToAmortizationMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= vhi_OtherOperatingPermitsMember