Reportable Segments (Schedule of Financial Data by Reporting Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 211,999	$ 271,133	$ 673,753	$ 796,454
Operating income	38,773	55,678	131,094	149,996
Other expense/(income), net	(2,745)	(1,628)	13,915	(1,906)
Income before income taxes	39,276	53,319	107,137	138,867
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	(13,754)	(13,573)	(41,073)	(40,290)
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest income	(1,485)	(851)	(2,280)	(2,037)
Interest expense	3,727	4,838	12,322	15,072
Other expense/(income), net	(2,745)	(1,628)	13,915	(1,906)
Machine Clothing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	138,747	151,324	428,782	450,673
Machine Clothing [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	138,747	151,324	428,782	450,673
Operating income	45,699	51,906	149,418	145,688
Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	73,252	119,809	244,971	345,781
Albany Engineered Composites [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	73,252	119,809	244,971	345,781
Operating income	$ 6,828	$ 17,345	$ 22,749	$ 44,598