Segment Data (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	May 02, 2014	May 03, 2013	May 02, 2014 segment	May 03, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Segment Data
Number of reportable business segments			3
Financial information concerning the company's reportable segments
Net sales	$ 745,030	$ 704,486	$ 1,191,011	$ 1,149,147
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	129,116	116,317	167,871	159,715
Total assets	1,179,246	1,114,954	1,179,246	1,114,954	1,002,748
Components of the loss before income taxes included in "Other"
Interest expense, net	(3,683)	(4,149)	(7,436)	(8,398)
Other	1,920	2,995	3,830	4,438
Earnings before income taxes	129,116	116,317	167,871	159,715
Professional
Financial information concerning the company's reportable segments
Net sales	528,561	496,436	824,029	825,580
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	122,367	112,275	169,830	173,013
Total assets	670,723	653,514	670,723	653,514
Components of the loss before income taxes included in "Other"
Earnings before income taxes	122,367	112,275	169,830	173,013
Residential
Financial information concerning the company's reportable segments
Net sales	210,377	201,390	357,947	322,337
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	23,822	24,679	41,956	36,833
Total assets	238,156	256,412	238,156	256,412
Components of the loss before income taxes included in "Other"
Earnings before income taxes	23,822	24,679	41,956	36,833
Other
Financial information concerning the company's reportable segments
Net sales	6,092	6,660	9,035	1,230
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	(17,073)	(20,637)	(43,915)	(50,131)
Total assets	270,367	205,028	270,367	205,028
Components of the loss before income taxes included in "Other"
Corporate expenses	(16,655)	(20,635)	(40,347)	(42,319)
Interest expense, net	(3,683)	(4,149)	(7,436)	(8,398)
Other	3,265	4,147	3,868	586
Earnings before income taxes	(17,073)	(20,637)	(43,915)	(50,131)
Intersegment | Professional
Financial information concerning the company's reportable segments
Gross sales	14,438	11,318	19,914	26,773
Intersegment | Residential
Financial information concerning the company's reportable segments
Gross sales	128	121	250	205
Intersegment | Other
Financial information concerning the company's reportable segments
Gross sales	$ (14,566)	$ (11,439)	$ (20,164)	$ (26,978)