Noncontrolling Interest - Reconciliation of income attributable to the noncontrolling interest and noncontrolling equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net income of Albany Safran Composites (ASC)	$ 32,449	$ 7,594	$ 34,259	$ 29,408	$ 40,043	$ 63,667
Net (loss)/income of ASC available for common ownership	32,354		34,054		41,463	63,244
Net (loss)/income attributable to the noncontrolling interest	95		205		(1,420)	423
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interest, beginning of year		4,006			4,006
Net (loss)/income attributable to the noncontrolling interest	95		205		(1,420)	423
Noncontrolling interest, end of interim period	2,847				2,847
Albany Safran Composites, LLC [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net income of Albany Safran Composites (ASC)	(13,612)		4,884
Less: Return attributable to the Company's preferred holding	587		652
Net (loss)/income of ASC available for common ownership	(14,199)		4,232
Net (loss)/income attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(1,420)		423
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interest, beginning of year		$ 4,006		$ 3,031	4,006	3,031
Net (loss)/income attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(1,420)		423
Changes in other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	261		(6)
Noncontrolling interest, end of interim period	$ 2,847		$ 3,448		$ 2,847	$ 3,448
Albany Safran Composites, LLC [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Ownership percentage of noncontrolling shareholder	10.00%		10.00%		10.00%	10.00%