Income Taxes - Components of Comprehensive Provision for Income Taxes Allocation (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Comprehensive provision (benefit) for income taxes allocable to:
Net income (loss)	$ (3,581)	$ 3,800	$ (25,534)	$ 4,645
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Currency translation	(2,000)	(5,000)	(8,300)	(5,700)
Interest rate swap	(400)		(400)
Total	(24,000)	(500)	(55,300)	(57,500)
Valhi Inc
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Marketable securities	(18,600)	500	(22,400)	(57,000)
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Defined benefit plans	$ 500	300	1,500	900
OPEB
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Defined benefit plans		$ (100)	$ (200)	$ (300)