Warranty (Details) (USD $) In Millions	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Warranty liability
Balance at January 1	$ 107	$ 109
Accruals for warranties issued during the period	20	42
Accruals related to pre-existing warranties	7	(4)
Settlements made (in cash or kind) during the period	(29)	(37)
Other, net	(2)	(3)
Balance at end of period	$ 103	$ 107

Standard Product Warranty Accrual Other net.

Name:	mas_StandardProductWarrantyAccrualOtherNet
Namespace Prefix:	mas
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MovementInStandardProductWarrantyAccrualRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount as of the balance sheet date of the aggregate standard product warranty liability. Does not include the balance for the extended product warranty liability.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)

-Number 45

-Paragraph 14

-Subparagraph b

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StandardProductWarrantyAccrual
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the aggregate decrease in the liability for payments made (in cash or in kind) to satisfy claims under the terms of the standard product warranty. Does not include any increase (decrease) in the liability for payments related to extended product warranties

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)

-Number 45

-Paragraph 14

-Subparagraph b

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StandardProductWarrantyAccrualPayments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the aggregate increase (decrease) in the liability during the reporting period for accruals related to preexisting standard product warranties (including adjustments related to changes in estimates). Does not include any increase (decrease) in the liability for accruals related to extended product warranties

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)

-Number 45

-Paragraph 14

-Subparagraph b

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StandardProductWarrantyAccrualPreexistingIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the aggregate increase in the liability for accruals related to standard product warranties issued during the reporting period. Does not include any increase in the liability for accruals related to extended product warranties

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)

-Number 45

-Paragraph 14

-Subparagraph b

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StandardProductWarrantyAccrualWarrantiesIssued
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration