Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Net sales	$ 1,715.8	$ 1,356.9	$ 1,383.6
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	1,403.1	1,244.2	1,187.9
Depreciation and amortization	73.9	78.9	82.0
Selling and administrative	129.4	111.2	118.8
Loss on sale or impairment of long lived assets	4.9	73.9	2.4
Other operating credits and charges, net	(2.9)	(11.2)	0.1
Total operating costs and expenses	1,608.4	1,497.0	1,391.2
Income (loss) from operations	107.4	(140.1)	(7.6)
Non-operating income (expense):
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	(49.3)	(56.9)	(63.9)
Investment income	14.8	28.7	38.4
Other-than-temporary investment impairment	0	(14.8)	(17.0)
Other non-operating income (expense)	(34.9)	(1.0)	2.2
Total non-operating income (expense)	(69.4)	(44.0)	(40.3)
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in (income) loss of unconsolidated affiliates	38.0	(184.1)	(47.9)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	7.6	(39.1)	(22.1)
Equity in (income) loss of unconsolidated affiliates	(1.7)	26.9	6.4
Income (loss) from continuing operations	32.1	(171.9)	(32.2)
Loss from discontinued operations before taxes	(4.3)	(14.2)	(10.4)
Benefit for income taxes	(1.0)	(5.0)	(4.0)
Loss from discontinued operations	(3.3)	(9.2)	(6.4)
Net income (loss)	28.8	(181.1)	(38.6)
Less: Net income attributed to non-controlling interest	0	0.2	0.4
Net income (loss) attributed to Louisiana-Pacific Corporation	28.8	(181.3)	(39.0)
Amounts attributed to LP Corporation common shareholders
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	32.1	(172.1)	(32.6)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(3.3)	(9.2)	(6.4)
Net income (loss) attributed to Louisiana-Pacific Corporation	$ 28.8	$ (181.3)	$ (39.0)
Basic net income (loss) per share:
Income (loss) per share from continuing operations	$ 0.23	$ (1.29)	$ (0.25)
Loss per share from discontinued operations	$ (0.02)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.05)
Net income (loss) per share	$ 0.21	$ (1.36)	$ (0.30)
Diluted net earnings (loss) per share:
Income (loss) per share from continuing operations	$ 0.22	$ (1.29)	$ (0.25)
Loss per share from discontinued operations	$ (0.02)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.05)
Net income (loss) per share	$ 0.20	$ (1.36)	$ (0.30)
Average shares of stock outstanding - basic	137.1	133.2	129.1
Average shares of stock outstanding - diluted	142.6	133.2	129.1