Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	INCOME TAXES Accounting standards state that companies account for income taxes using the asset and liability approach, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. This method also requires the recognition of future tax benefits, such as net operating loss carryforwards and other tax credits. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are recorded as necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount thereof that is more likely than not to be realized. The likelihood of realizing deferred tax assets is evaluated by, among other things, estimating future taxable income, considering the future reversal of existing deferred tax liabilities to which the deferred tax assets may be applied and assessing the impact of tax planning strategies. For interim periods, accounting standards require that income tax expense be determined by applying the estimated annual effective income tax rate to year-to-date results unless this method does not result in a reliable estimate of year-to-date income tax expense. An exception is provided for situations in which an enterprise anticipates a loss in a separate jurisdiction for which no tax benefit can be recognized. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, LP's overall estimated annual effective tax rate was computed by excluding anticipated losses in Canada for which no deferred tax asset was expected to be recognizable due to the need for valuation allowances. Tax benefit for the period was then computed using the rate so derived applied to year-to-date pre-tax losses excluding those from Canada, and no additional Canadian tax benefit was added. Each period the income tax accrual is adjusted to the latest estimate and the difference from the previously accrued year-to-date balance is adjusted to the current quarter. Changes in the profitability estimates in various jurisdictions will impact our quarterly effective income tax rates. For the first nine months of 2016, the primary differences between the U.S. statutory rate of 35% and the effective rate applicable to LP’s continuing operations relate to foreign tax rates, changes in Canadian and state valuation allowances, excess tax benefits in connection with LP's stock-based compensation plans, recognition of research and development credits from prior years and an increase in the reserve for unrecognized tax benefits associated with LP's South American operations. For the first nine months of 2015, the primary differences between the U.S. statutory rate of 35% and the effective rate applicable to LP’s continuing operations relate to foreign tax rates, Canadian and state valuation allowances and a reduction in the reserve for unrecognized tax benefits. During September 2016, LP announced the acceleration of the notes receivable from asset sales (see Note 7) to November of 2016 from 2018. The acceleration of these notes will accelerate the taxable income into the fourth quarter 2016. LP estimates taxes due to the acceleration to be $120.8 million. As of December 31, 2015, LP had $73.4 million of available carryover benefit to offset a portion of LP’s 2016 tax liability. LP periodically reviews the need for valuation allowances against deferred tax assets and recognizes these deferred tax assets to the extent that the realization is more likely than not. As part of our review, we consider all positive and negative evidence, including earnings history, the future reversal of deferred tax liabilities, and the relevant expirations of carry forwards. LP believes that the valuation allowances provided are appropriate. If in future periods our earnings estimates differ from the estimates used to establish these valuation allowances, or other objective positive or negative evidence arises, LP may be required to record an adjustment resulting in an impact on tax expense (benefit) for that period.

INCOME TAXES

Accounting standards state that companies account for income taxes using the asset and liability approach, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. This method also requires the recognition of future tax benefits, such as net operating loss carryforwards and other tax credits. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are recorded as necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount thereof that is more likely than not to be realized. The likelihood of realizing deferred tax assets is evaluated by, among other things, estimating future taxable income, considering the future reversal of existing deferred tax liabilities to which the deferred tax assets may be applied and assessing the impact of tax planning strategies.

For interim periods, accounting standards require that income tax expense be determined by applying the estimated annual effective income tax rate to year-to-date results unless this method does not result in a reliable estimate of year-to-date income tax expense. An exception is provided for situations in which an enterprise anticipates a loss in a separate jurisdiction for which no tax benefit can be recognized. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, LP's overall estimated annual effective tax rate was computed by excluding anticipated losses in Canada for which no deferred tax asset was expected to be recognizable due to the need for valuation allowances. Tax benefit for the period was then computed using the rate so derived applied to year-to-date pre-tax losses excluding those from Canada, and no additional Canadian tax benefit was added.

Each period the income tax accrual is adjusted to the latest estimate and the difference from the previously accrued year-to-date balance is adjusted to the current quarter. Changes in the profitability estimates in various jurisdictions will impact our quarterly effective income tax rates.

For the first nine months of 2016, the primary differences between the U.S. statutory rate of 35% and the effective rate applicable to LP’s continuing operations relate to foreign tax rates, changes in Canadian and state valuation allowances, excess tax benefits in connection with LP's stock-based compensation plans, recognition of research and development credits from prior years and an increase in the reserve for unrecognized tax benefits associated with LP's South American operations. For the first nine months of 2015, the primary differences between the U.S. statutory rate of 35% and the effective rate applicable to LP’s continuing operations relate to foreign tax rates, Canadian and state valuation allowances and a reduction in the reserve for unrecognized tax benefits.

During September 2016, LP announced the acceleration of the notes receivable from asset sales (see Note 7) to November of 2016 from 2018. The acceleration of these notes will accelerate the taxable income into the fourth quarter 2016. LP estimates taxes due to the acceleration to be $120.8 million. As of December 31, 2015, LP had $73.4 million of available carryover benefit to offset a portion of LP’s 2016 tax liability.

LP periodically reviews the need for valuation allowances against deferred tax assets and recognizes these deferred tax assets to the extent that the realization is more likely than not. As part of our review, we consider all positive and negative evidence, including earnings history, the future reversal of deferred tax liabilities, and the relevant expirations of carry forwards. LP believes that the valuation allowances provided are appropriate. If in future periods our earnings estimates differ from the estimates used to establish these valuation allowances, or other objective positive or negative evidence arises, LP may be required to record an adjustment resulting in an impact on tax expense (benefit) for that period.