Income Taxes - Components of Comprehensive Provision for Income Taxes Allocation (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Comprehensive provision (benefit) for income taxes allocable to:
Net income (loss)	$ (1,446,000)	$ 970,000
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Currency translation	(7,000,000)	(300,000)
Total	(9,100,000)	(44,300,000)
Valhi Inc
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Marketable securities	(1,000,000)	(45,200,000)
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Defined benefit plans	400,000	300,000
OPEB
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Defined benefit plans	$ (100,000)	$ (100,000)