Consolidated Statement of Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 15,330	$ 15,360	$ 14,265
Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization	8,591	8,791	8,314
Selling, general and administrative	3,679	3,758	3,486
Depreciation	363	350	333
Amortization	132	126	119
Research and development, net	486	492	463
Interest expense	126	187	196
Interest income	(40)	(50)	(43)
Asbestos settlement, net	12	12	11
Business restructuring	140	0	98
Debt refinancing charge	0	317	0
Other charges	104	221	189
Other income	(145)	(260)	(127)
Income before income taxes	1,882	1,416	1,226
Income tax expense	456	259	253
Income from continuing operations	1,426	1,157	973
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	1	1,002	2,380
Net income attributable to the controlling and noncontrolling interests	1,427	2,159	3,353
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	21	57	122
Net income (attributable to PPG)	1,406	2,102	3,231
Continuing operations	1,405	1,133	950
Discontinued operations	$ 1	$ 969	$ 2,281
Earnings per common share
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 5.18	$ 4.10	$ 3.31
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.00	3.50	7.96
Net Income (attributable to PPG) (in dollars per share)	5.18	7.60	11.27
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	5.14	4.05	3.27
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.00	3.47	7.86
Net Income (attributable to PPG) (in dollars per share)	$ 5.14	$ 7.52	$ 11.13