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Investment in Kronos Worldwide, Inc. - Additional Information (Detail) (Kronos, USD $)
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Kronos
   
Schedule Of Change In Carrying Value Of Equity Investment [Line Items]    
Outstanding common stock, shares 35.2us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalanceShares
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= nl_KronosWorldwideIncMember
35.2us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalanceShares
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= nl_KronosWorldwideIncMember
Aggregate market value $ 445.5us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentQuotedMarketValue
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= nl_KronosWorldwideIncMember
$ 458.6us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentQuotedMarketValue
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= nl_KronosWorldwideIncMember
Quoted market price per share $ 12.65us-gaap_SharePrice
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= nl_KronosWorldwideIncMember
$ 13.02us-gaap_SharePrice
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= nl_KronosWorldwideIncMember