Income Taxes - Components of Comprehensive Provision for Income Taxes Allocation (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Comprehensive provision (benefit) for income taxes allocable to:
Net income (loss)	$ 3,800,000	$ (3,145,000)	$ 4,645,000	$ (23,827,000)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Currency translation	(5,000,000)	2,200,000	(5,700,000)	(100,000)
Total	(500,000)	31,500,000	(57,500,000)	15,500,000
Valhi, Inc
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Marketable securities	500,000	32,100,000	(57,000,000)	38,500,000
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Defined benefit plans	300,000	400,000	900,000	1,100,000
OPEB
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Defined benefit plans	$ (100,000)	$ (100,000)	$ (300,000)	$ (200,000)