<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <Version>2.4.0.8</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>157</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>323</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>49</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>5</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000 - Disclosure - Document And Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document And Entity Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>001 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/ConsolidatedIncomeStatement</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>002 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parentheticals)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/ConsolidatedIncomeStatement_Parentheticals</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parentheticals)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>003 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheet</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>004 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheet_Parentheticals</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>005 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/ConsolidatedCashFlow</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>006 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/ShareholdersEquityType2or3</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>007 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Parentheticals)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/ShareholdersEquityType2or3_Parentheticals</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Parentheticals)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>008 - Disclosure - Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note1SignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>009 - Disclosure - Note 2 - Acquisition of Assets of M.C. Healthcare Products Inc.</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note2AcquisitionofAssetsofMCHealthcareProductsInc</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 2 - Acquisition of Assets of M.C. Healthcare Products Inc.</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010 - Disclosure - Note 3 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note3FairValueofFinancialInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 3 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>011 - Disclosure - Note 4 - Inventories</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note4Inventories</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 4 - Inventories</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>012 - Disclosure - Note 5 - Property and Equipment</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note5PropertyandEquipment</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 5 - Property and Equipment</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>013 - Disclosure - Note 6 - Goodwill</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note6Goodwill</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 6 - Goodwill</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>014 - Disclosure - Note 7 - Intangibles</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note7Intangibles</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 7 - Intangibles</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>015 - Disclosure - Note 8 - Other Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note8OtherAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 8 - Other Assets</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>016 - Disclosure - Note 9 - Accrued and Sundry Liabilities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note9AccruedandSundryLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 9 - Accrued and Sundry Liabilities</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>017 - Disclosure - Note 10 - Product Warranties</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note10ProductWarranties</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 10 - Product Warranties</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>018 - Disclosure - Note 11 - Revolving Credit Facility</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note11RevolvingCreditFacility</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 11 - Revolving Credit Facility</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>019 - Disclosure - Note 12 - Deferred Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note12DeferredCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 12 - Deferred Compensation</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>020 - Disclosure - Note 13 - Equity Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note13EquityCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 13 - Equity Compensation</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>021 - Disclosure - Note 14 - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note14IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 14 - Income Taxes</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>022 - Disclosure - Note 15 - Earnings Per Share of Common Stock</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note15EarningsPerShareofCommonStock</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 15 - Earnings Per Share of Common Stock</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>023 - Disclosure - Note 16 - Employee Benefits and Incentive Plans</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note16EmployeeBenefitsandIncentivePlans</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 16 - Employee Benefits and Incentive Plans</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>024 - Disclosure - Note 17 - Related-Party Transactions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note17RelatedPartyTransactions</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 17 - Related-Party Transactions</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>025 - Disclosure - Note 18 - Major Customers</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note18MajorCustomers</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 18 - Major Customers</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>026 - Disclosure - Note 19 - Operations and Industry Segments and Geographic Areas</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note19OperationsandIndustrySegmentsandGeographicAreas</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 19 - Operations and Industry Segments and Geographic Areas</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>027 - Disclosure - Note 20 - Operating Leases</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note20OperatingLeases</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 20 - Operating Leases</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>028 - Disclosure - Note 21 - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note21CommitmentsandContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 21 - Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>029 - Disclosure - Note 22 - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note22QuarterlyFinancialDataUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 22 - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>030 - Disclosure - Schedule VIII Valuation and Qualifying Accounts</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/ScheduleVIIIValuationandQualifyingAccounts</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule VIII Valuation and Qualifying Accounts</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>031 - Disclosure - Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/AccountingPoliciesByPolicy</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>032 - Disclosure - Note 2 - Acquisition of Assets of M.C. Healthcare Products Inc. (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note2AcquisitionofAssetsofMCHealthcareProductsIncTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 2 - Acquisition of Assets of M.C. Healthcare Products Inc. (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>033 - Disclosure - Note 3 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note3FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 3 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>034 - Disclosure - Note 4 - Inventories (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note4InventoriesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 4 - Inventories (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>035 - Disclosure - Note 5 - Property and Equipment (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note5PropertyandEquipmentTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 5 - Property and Equipment (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>036 - Disclosure - Note 6 - Goodwill (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note6GoodwillTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 6 - Goodwill (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>037 - Disclosure - Note 7 - Intangibles (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note7IntangiblesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 7 - Intangibles (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>038 - Disclosure - Note 8 - Other Assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note8OtherAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 8 - Other Assets (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>039 - Disclosure - Note 9 - Accrued and Sundry Liabilities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note9AccruedandSundryLiabilitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 9 - Accrued and Sundry Liabilities (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>040 - Disclosure - Note 10 - Product Warranties (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note10ProductWarrantiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 10 - Product Warranties (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>041 - Disclosure - Note 13 - Equity Compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note13EquityCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 13 - Equity Compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>042 - Disclosure - Note 14 - Income Taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note14IncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 14 - Income Taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>043 - Disclosure - Note 15 - Earnings Per Share of Common Stock (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note15EarningsPerShareofCommonStockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 15 - Earnings Per Share of Common Stock (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>044 - Disclosure - Note 19 - Operations and Industry Segments and Geographic Areas (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note19OperationsandIndustrySegmentsandGeographicAreasTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 19 - Operations and Industry Segments and Geographic Areas (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>045 - Disclosure - Note 22 - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note22QuarterlyFinancialDataUnauditedTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 22 - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>046 - Disclosure - Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note1SignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>047 - Disclosure - Note 2 - Acquisition of Assets of M.C. Healthcare Products Inc. (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note2AcquisitionofAssetsofMCHealthcareProductsIncDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 2 - Acquisition of Assets of M.C. Healthcare Products Inc. (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>048 - Disclosure - Note 2 - Acquisition of Assets of M.C. Healthcare Products Inc. (Details) - Purchase Price Allocation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/PurchasePriceAllocationTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 2 - Acquisition of Assets of M.C. Healthcare Products Inc. (Details) - Purchase Price Allocation</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>049 - Disclosure - Note 2 - Acquisition of Assets of M.C. Healthcare Products Inc. (Details) - Pro-forma Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/ProformaInformationTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 2 - Acquisition of Assets of M.C. Healthcare Products Inc. (Details) - Pro-forma Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>050 - Disclosure - Note 3 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - Fair Value Measurement of Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/FairValueMeasurementofAssetsTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 3 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - Fair Value Measurement of Assets</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>051 - Disclosure - Note 4 - Inventories (Details) - Components of Inventories</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/ComponentsofInventoriesTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 4 - Inventories (Details) - Components of Inventories</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>052 - Disclosure - Note 5 - Property and Equipment (Details) - Property and Equipment</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/PropertyandEquipmentTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 5 - Property and Equipment (Details) - Property and Equipment</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>053 - Disclosure - Note 6 - Goodwill (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note6GoodwillDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 6 - Goodwill (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>054 - Disclosure - Note 6 - Goodwill (Details) - Reconciliation of the Carrying Amount of Goodwill</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/ReconciliationoftheCarryingAmountofGoodwillTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 6 - Goodwill (Details) - Reconciliation of the Carrying Amount of Goodwill</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>055 - Disclosure - Note 7 - Intangibles (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note7IntangiblesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 7 - Intangibles (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>056 - Disclosure - Note 7 - Intangibles (Details) - Intangible Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/IntangibleAssetsTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 7 - Intangibles (Details) - Intangible Assets</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>057 - Disclosure - Note 7 - Intangibles (Details) - Estimated Amortization Expense</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/EstimatedAmortizationExpenseTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 7 - Intangibles (Details) - Estimated Amortization Expense</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>058 - Disclosure - Note 8 - Other Assets (Details) - Other Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/OtherAssetsTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 8 - Other Assets (Details) - Other Assets</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>059 - Disclosure - Note 9 - Accrued and Sundry Liabilities (Details) - Accrued and Sundry Liabilities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/AccruedandSundryLiabilitiesTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 9 - Accrued and Sundry Liabilities (Details) - Accrued and Sundry Liabilities</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060 - Disclosure - Note 10 - Product Warranties (Details) - Changes in Product Warranty Liability</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/ChangesinProductWarrantyLiabilityTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 10 - Product Warranties (Details) - Changes in Product Warranty Liability</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061 - Disclosure - Note 11 - Revolving Credit Facility (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note11RevolvingCreditFacilityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 11 - Revolving Credit Facility (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>062 - Disclosure - Note 12 - Deferred Compensation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note12DeferredCompensationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 12 - Deferred Compensation (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>063 - Disclosure - Note 13 - Equity Compensation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note13EquityCompensationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 13 - Equity Compensation (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>064 - Disclosure - Note 13 - Equity Compensation (Details) - Summary of Activity to the Two Stock Option Plans.</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/SummaryofActivitytotheTwoStockOptionPlansTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 13 - Equity Compensation (Details) - Summary of Activity to the Two Stock Option Plans.</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>065 - Disclosure - Note 13 - Equity Compensation (Details) - Summary of Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/SummaryofStockOptionsOutstandingandExercisableTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 13 - Equity Compensation (Details) - Summary of Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>066 - Disclosure - Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note14IncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>067 - Disclosure - Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details) - Deferred Tax Liabilities and Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/DeferredTaxLiabilitiesandAssetsTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details) - Deferred Tax Liabilities and Assets</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>068 - Disclosure - Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details) - Federal, State and Foreign Income Tax Provisions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/FederalStateandForeignIncomeTaxProvisionsTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details) - Federal, State and Foreign Income Tax Provisions</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>069 - Disclosure - Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details) - Income Tax Expense with Federal Tax Rate before Income Taxes Reconciliation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/IncomeTaxExpensewithFederalTaxRatebeforeIncomeTaxesReconciliationTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 14 - Income Taxes (Details) - Income Tax Expense with Federal Tax Rate before Income Taxes Reconciliation</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>070 - Disclosure - Note 15 - Earnings Per Share of Common Stock (Details) - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/BasicandDilutedEarningsPerShareTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 15 - Earnings Per Share of Common Stock (Details) - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>071 - Disclosure - Note 16 - Employee Benefits and Incentive Plans (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note16EmployeeBenefitsandIncentivePlansDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 16 - Employee Benefits and Incentive Plans (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>072 - Disclosure - Note 17 - Related-Party Transactions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note17RelatedPartyTransactionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 17 - Related-Party Transactions (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>073 - Disclosure - Note 18 - Major Customers (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note18MajorCustomersDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 18 - Major Customers (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>074 - Disclosure - Note 19 - Operations and Industry Segments and Geographic Areas (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note19OperationsandIndustrySegmentsandGeographicAreasDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 19 - Operations and Industry Segments and Geographic Areas (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>075 - Disclosure - Note 19 - Operations and Industry Segments and Geographic Areas  (Details) - Information on Industry Segments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/InformationonIndustrySegmentsTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 19 - Operations and Industry Segments and Geographic Areas  (Details) - Information on Industry Segments</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>076 - Disclosure - Note 20 - Operating Leases (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note20OperatingLeasesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 20 - Operating Leases (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>077 - Disclosure - Note 21 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/Note21CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 21 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>078 - Disclosure - Note 22 - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - Quarterly Financial Data</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialDataTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Note 22 - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - Quarterly Financial Data</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R80.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>079 - Disclosure - Schedule VIII Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) - Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.spanamerica.com/role/ScheduleofValuationandQualifyingAccountsTable</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule VIII Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) - Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid had a mix of decimals attribute values: 2 3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared had a mix of decimals attribute values: 2 3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_GrossProfit had a mix of decimals attribute values: -3 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss had a mix of decimals attribute values: -3 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet had a mix of decimals attribute values: -3 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 001 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 002 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parentheticals)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 003 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 09, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Oct. 01, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Oct. 02, 2010'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 004 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 005 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 007 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Parentheticals)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 29, 2012'</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>span-20130928.xml</File>
    <File>span-20130928.xsd</File>
    <File>span-20130928_cal.xml</File>
    <File>span-20130928_def.xml</File>
    <File>span-20130928_lab.xml</File>
    <File>span-20130928_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
