Segment Data (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Aug. 03, 2012	Jul. 29, 2011	Aug. 03, 2012 segment	Jul. 29, 2011	Oct. 31, 2011
Segment Data
Number of reportable business segments			3
Financial information concerning the company's reportable segments
Net sales	$ 504,076	$ 501,045	$ 1,619,396	$ 1,515,858
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	59,468	52,291	193,946	167,244
Total assets	986,528	967,547	986,528	967,547	870,663
Components of the loss before income taxes included in "Other"
Interest expense	(4,198)	(4,294)	(12,791)	(12,596)
Other	2,681	1,861	5,231	4,560
Earnings before income taxes	59,468	52,291	193,946	167,244
Professional
Financial information concerning the company's reportable segments
Net sales	361,120	345,972	1,100,899	1,022,536
Intersegment gross sales	12,012	10,678	31,134	30,245
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	70,537	64,344	211,329	187,869
Total assets	548,381	540,977	548,381	540,977
Components of the loss before income taxes included in "Other"
Earnings before income taxes	70,537	64,344	211,329	187,869
Residential
Financial information concerning the company's reportable segments
Net sales	135,894	147,479	505,399	480,404
Intersegment gross sales	90	842	2	3,006
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	10,048	4,638	51,174	42,545
Total assets	179,452	210,479	179,452	210,479
Components of the loss before income taxes included in "Other"
Earnings before income taxes	10,048	4,638	51,174	42,545
Other
Financial information concerning the company's reportable segments
Net sales	7,062	7,594	13,098	12,918
Intersegment gross sales	(12,102)	(11,520)	(31,136)	(33,251)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	(21,117)	(16,691)	(68,557)	(63,170)
Total assets	258,695	216,091	258,695	216,091
Components of the loss before income taxes included in "Other"
Corporate expenses	(19,805)	(15,462)	(60,991)	(53,227)
Interest expense	(4,198)	(4,294)	(12,791)	(12,596)
Other	2,886	3,065	5,225	2,653
Earnings before income taxes	$ (21,117)	$ (16,691)	$ (68,557)	$ (63,170)