Separation and Merger Transaction (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 19, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012
Separation and Merger Transaction [Line Items]
Transaction expenses related to separation and merger transaction		$ 9,000,000	[1]	$ 13,000,000	[1]
Commodity Chemicals Segment [Member]
Separation and Merger Transaction [Line Items]
Equity interest in new company	50.50%
Transaction value of separated and merged company	2,400,000,000
Proceed from separation of business	900,000,000
Assumed debt and minority interests	180,000,000
Value of Shares to be received in new company after separation of business	1,300,000,000
Transaction expenses related to separation and merger transaction		$ 9,000,000		$ 13,000,000
Commodity Chemicals Segment [Member] | Georgia Gulf Corporation [Member]
Separation and Merger Transaction [Line Items]
Equity interest in new company	49.50%

[1] Represents costs incurred in connection with the announced separation and merger of the commodity chemicals business.