Reportable Segments (Schedule of Financial Data by Reporting Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 225,990	$ 273,949	$ 461,754	$ 525,321
Operating income	52,727	54,225	92,321	94,318
Other expense/(income), net	1,091	930	16,660	(278)
Income before income taxes	47,813	48,664	67,861	85,548
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	(12,115)	(13,045)	(27,319)	(26,717)
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest income	(348)	(587)	(795)	(1,186)
Interest expense	4,171	5,218	8,595	10,234
Other expense/(income), net	1,091	930	16,660	(278)
Machine Clothing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	153,433	155,016	290,035	299,349
Machine Clothing [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	153,433	155,016	290,035	299,349
Operating income	56,543	49,538	103,718	93,781
Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	72,557	118,933	171,719	225,972
Albany Engineered Composites [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	72,557	118,933	171,719	225,972
Operating income	$ 8,299	$ 17,732	$ 15,922	$ 27,254