<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <Version>2.4.1.9</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>107</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>195</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>42</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>6</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveLossUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/BasisOfPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/AllowanceForDoubtfulAccounts</Role>
      <ShortName>Allowance for Doubtful Accounts</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2103100 - Disclosure - Inventories</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/Inventories</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104100 - Disclosure - (Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>(Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105100 - Disclosure - (Manufacturing Restructuring Costs)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/ManufacturingRestructuringCosts</Role>
      <ShortName>(Manufacturing Restructuring Costs)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2106100 - Disclosure - (Product Warranty Costs)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/ProductWarrantyCosts</Role>
      <ShortName>(Product Warranty Costs)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - (Executive Officers' Separation and Hiring Costs)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/ExecutiveOfficersSeparationAndHiringCosts</Role>
      <ShortName>(Executive Officers' Separation and Hiring Costs)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108100 - Disclosure - (Long-Term Debt)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/LongTermDebt</Role>
      <ShortName>(Long-Term Debt)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2111100 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2112100 - Disclosure - (Retirement Plans)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/RetirementPlans</Role>
      <ShortName>(Retirement Plans)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2114100 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2115100 - Disclosure - (Business Segments)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/BusinessSegments</Role>
      <ShortName>(Business Segments)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2116100 - Disclosure - (Subsidiary Guarantors)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/SubsidiaryGuarantors</Role>
      <ShortName>(Subsidiary Guarantors)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2201201 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/BasisOfPresentationPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation (Policies)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2302301 - Disclosure - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2303301 - Disclosure - Inventories (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/InventoriesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2304301 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2305301 - Disclosure - Manufacturing Restructuring Costs (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/ManufacturingRestructuringCostsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Manufacturing Restructuring Costs (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2306301 - Disclosure - Product Warranty Costs (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/ProductWarrantyCostsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Product Warranty Costs (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2308301 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/LongTermDebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2309301 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2311301 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2312301 - Disclosure - Retirement Plans (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/RetirementPlansTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Retirement Plans (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2315301 - Disclosure - Business Segments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/BusinessSegmentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Segments (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2316301 - Disclosure - Subsidiary Guarantors (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/SubsidiaryGuarantorsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsidiary Guarantors (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401402 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/BasisOfPresentationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402402 - Disclosure - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403402 - Disclosure - Inventories (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/InventoriesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404402 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Table 1 Goodwill) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTable1GoodwillDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Table 1 Goodwill) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404403 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Table 2 Intangibles) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTable2IntangiblesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Table 2 Intangibles) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404404 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Textual) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTextualDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Textual) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405402 - Disclosure - Manufacturing Restructuring Costs (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/ManufacturingRestructuringCostsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Manufacturing Restructuring Costs (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406402 - Disclosure - Product Warranty Costs (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/ProductWarrantyCostsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Product Warranty Costs (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407401 - Disclosure - Executive Officers' Separation and Hiring Costs (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/ExecutiveOfficersSeparationAndHiringCostsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Executive Officers' Separation and Hiring Costs (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408402 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt (Table) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/LongTermDebtTableDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt (Table) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408403 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt (Textual 1 Senior Secured Notes) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/LongTermDebtTextual1SeniorSecuredNotesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt (Textual 1 Senior Secured Notes) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408404 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt (Textual 2 ABL Facilities) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/LongTermDebtTextual2AblFacilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt (Textual 2 ABL Facilities) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409402 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411402 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Table 1 Change in AOCI (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossTable1ChangeInAociDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Table 1 Change in AOCI (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411403 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Table 2 Reclassifications out of AOCI) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossTable2ReclassificationsOutOfAociDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Table 2 Reclassifications out of AOCI) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412402 - Disclosure - Retirement Plans (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/RetirementPlansDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Retirement Plans (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414401 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415402 - Disclosure - Business Segments (Table) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/BusinessSegmentsTableDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Segments (Table) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415403 - Disclosure - Business Segments Textual (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/BusinessSegmentsTextualDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Segments Textual (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416402 - Disclosure - Subsidiary Guarantors (Textural) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/SubsidiaryGuarantorsTexturalDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsidiary Guarantors (Textural) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416403 - Disclosure - Subsidiary Guarantors Table - Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/SubsidiaryGuarantorsTableCondensedConsolidatingBalanceSheetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsidiary Guarantors Table - Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416404 - Disclosure - Subsidiary Guarantors Table - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Loss (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/SubsidiaryGuarantorsTableCondensedConsolidatingStatementOfComprehensiveLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsidiary Guarantors Table - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Loss (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416405 - Disclosure - Subsidiary Guarantors Table - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/SubsidiaryGuarantorsTableCondensedConsolidatingStatementOfCashFlowsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsidiary Guarantors Table - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416406 - Disclosure - Subsidiary Guarantors Table - Revised Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Detail) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.associatedmaterials.com/role/SubsidiaryGuarantorsTableRevisedCondensedConsolidatingStatementOfCashFlowsDetailDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsidiary Guarantors Table - Revised Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Detail) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Columns in Cash Flows statement 'Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)' have maximum duration 90 days and at least 25 values. Shorter duration columns must have at least one fourth (6) as many values. Column '12/31/2011' is shorter (-734501 days) and has only 2 values, so it is being removed.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Columns in Cash Flows statement 'Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)' have maximum duration 90 days and at least 25 values. Shorter duration columns must have at least one fourth (6) as many values. Column '9/29/2012' is shorter (-734774 days) and has only 2 values, so it is being removed.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2404404 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Textual) (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Columns in Cash Flows statement 'Subsidiary Guarantors Table - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $)' have maximum duration 90 days and at least 95 values. Shorter duration columns must have at least one fourth (23) as many values. Column '12/31/2011' is shorter (-734501 days) and has only 2 values, so it is being removed.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Columns in Cash Flows statement 'Subsidiary Guarantors Table - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $)' have maximum duration 90 days and at least 95 values. Shorter duration columns must have at least one fourth (23) as many values. Column '9/29/2012' is shorter (-734774 days) and has only 2 values, so it is being removed.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1001000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Sep. 29, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1002000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1003000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>side-20150404.xml</File>
    <File>side-20150404.xsd</File>
    <File>side-20150404_cal.xml</File>
    <File>side-20150404_def.xml</File>
    <File>side-20150404_lab.xml</File>
    <File>side-20150404_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
