Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies For a complete discussion of our significant accounting policies, refer to the notes to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (“2013 Form 10-K”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 27, 2014. Basis of Consolidation and Presentation—LSB Industries, Inc. (“LSB”) and its subsidiaries (the “Company”, “We”, “Us”, or “Our”) are consolidated in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. We are involved in manufacturing and marketing operations. We are primarily engaged in the manufacture and sale of chemical products (the “Chemical Business”) and the manufacture and sale of geothermal and water source heat pumps and air handling products (the “Climate Control Business”). LSB is a holding company with no significant operations or assets other than cash, cash equivalents, and investments in its subsidiaries. Our Chemical Business’ ownership of working interests in natural gas properties is accounted for as an undivided interest, whereby we reflect our proportionate share of the underlying assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Our working interest represents our share of the costs and expenses incurred primarily to develop the underlying leaseholds and to produce natural gas while our net revenue interest represents our share of the revenues from the sale of natural gas. The net revenue interest is less than our working interest as the result of royalty interest due to others. We are not the operator of these natural gas properties. Entities that are 20% to 50% owned and for which we have significant influence are accounted for on the equity method. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company as of March 31, 2014 and for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 include all adjustments and accruals, consisting of normal, recurring accrual adjustments which are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods. These interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year due, in part, to the seasonality of our sales of agricultural products, certain downtime events associated with our chemical facilities, and the timing of performing our major plant maintenance activities. Our selling seasons for agricultural products are primarily during the spring and fall planting seasons, which typically extend from March through June and from September through November. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted in this Form 10-Q pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in connection with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2013 Form 10-K. Reclassifications—Reclassifications have been made in our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2013 to conform to our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2014, which reclassifications combined various operating activities line items. These reclassifications did not impact the total amount of net cash used by continuing operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2013. Use of Estimates—The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Cash and Cash Equivalents—Investments, which consist of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, are considered cash equivalents. At March, 31, 2014, the cash and cash equivalents balance exceeded the FDIC-insured limits by approximately $8 million. All of these cash balances were held by financial institutions within the U.S. Noncurrent Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents—Noncurrent restricted cash and cash equivalents consist of balances that are designated by us for specific purposes relating to capital projects. At March 31, 2014, the noncurrent restricted cash and cash equivalents balance exceeded the FDIC-insured limits by approximately $122 million. All of this balance was held by financial institutions within the U.S. Recognition of Insurance Recoveries—If an insurance claim relates to a recovery of our losses, we recognize the recovery when it is probable and reasonably estimable. If our insurance claim relates to a contingent gain, we recognize the recovery when it is realized or realizable and earned. Amounts recoverable from our insurance carriers, if any, are included in accounts receivable. An insurance recovery in excess of recoverable costs relating to a business interruption claim, if any, is a reduction to cost of sales. An insurance recovery in excess of recoverable costs relating to a property insurance claim, if any, is included in property insurance recoveries in excess of losses incurred.

Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

For a complete discussion of our significant accounting policies, refer to the notes to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (“2013 Form 10-K”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 27, 2014.

Basis of Consolidation and Presentation—LSB Industries, Inc. (“LSB”) and its subsidiaries (the “Company”, “We”, “Us”, or “Our”) are consolidated in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. We are involved in manufacturing and marketing operations. We are primarily engaged in the manufacture and sale of chemical products (the “Chemical Business”) and the manufacture and sale of geothermal and water source heat pumps and air handling products (the “Climate Control Business”). LSB is a holding company with no significant operations or assets other than cash, cash equivalents, and investments in its subsidiaries. Our Chemical Business’ ownership of working interests in natural gas properties is accounted for as an undivided interest, whereby we reflect our proportionate share of the underlying assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Our working interest represents our share of the costs and expenses incurred primarily to develop the underlying leaseholds and to produce natural gas while our net revenue interest represents our share of the revenues from the sale of natural gas. The net revenue interest is less than our working interest as the result of royalty interest due to others. We are not the operator of these natural gas properties. Entities that are 20% to 50% owned and for which we have significant influence are accounted for on the equity method. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company as of March 31, 2014 and for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 include all adjustments and accruals, consisting of normal, recurring accrual adjustments which are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods. These interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year due, in part, to the seasonality of our sales of agricultural products, certain downtime events associated with our chemical facilities, and the timing of performing our major plant maintenance activities. Our selling seasons for agricultural products are primarily during the spring and fall planting seasons, which typically extend from March through June and from September through November.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted in this Form 10-Q pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in connection with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2013 Form 10-K.

Reclassifications—Reclassifications have been made in our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2013 to conform to our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2014, which reclassifications combined various operating activities line items. These reclassifications did not impact the total amount of net cash used by continuing operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2013.

Use of Estimates—The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents—Investments, which consist of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, are considered cash equivalents. At March, 31, 2014, the cash and cash equivalents balance exceeded the FDIC-insured limits by approximately $8 million. All of these cash balances were held by financial institutions within the U.S.

Noncurrent Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents—Noncurrent restricted cash and cash equivalents consist of balances that are designated by us for specific purposes relating to capital projects. At March 31, 2014, the noncurrent restricted cash and cash equivalents balance exceeded the FDIC-insured limits by approximately $122 million. All of this balance was held by financial institutions within the U.S.

Recognition of Insurance Recoveries—If an insurance claim relates to a recovery of our losses, we recognize the recovery when it is probable and reasonably estimable. If our insurance claim relates to a contingent gain, we recognize the recovery when it is realized or realizable and earned. Amounts recoverable from our insurance carriers, if any, are included in accounts receivable. An insurance recovery in excess of recoverable costs relating to a business interruption claim, if any, is a reduction to cost of sales. An insurance recovery in excess of recoverable costs relating to a property insurance claim, if any, is included in property insurance recoveries in excess of losses incurred.