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Related Party Transactions - Current Receivables from Payables to Affiliates (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Current receivables from affiliates:    
Receivable from affiliates   $ 115us-gaap_DueFromAffiliateCurrent
Current payables to affiliates:    
Payable to affiliates 659us-gaap_DueToAffiliateCurrent 49us-gaap_DueToAffiliateCurrent
Valhi, Inc    
Current receivables from affiliates:    
Receivable from affiliates   54us-gaap_DueFromAffiliateCurrent
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= nl_ValhiMember
Current payables to affiliates:    
Payable to affiliates 583us-gaap_DueToAffiliateCurrent
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= nl_ValhiMember		  
Other Affiliates    
Current receivables from affiliates:    
Receivable from affiliates   61us-gaap_DueFromAffiliateCurrent
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= us-gaap_OtherAffiliatesMember
Current payables to affiliates:    
Payable to affiliates $ 76us-gaap_DueToAffiliateCurrent
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= us-gaap_OtherAffiliatesMember		 $ 49us-gaap_DueToAffiliateCurrent
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= us-gaap_OtherAffiliatesMember