Noncontrolling Interest - Reconciliation of income attributable to the noncontrolling interest and noncontrolling equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net income of Albany Safran Composites (ASC)	$ 29,590	$ 32,449	$ 7,594	$ 40,125	$ 34,259	$ 29,408	$ 69,633	$ 103,792
Net (loss)/income of ASC available for common ownership	29,589			40,009			71,052	103,253
Net income/(loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	1			116			(1,419)	539
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interest, beginning of year			4,006				4,006
Net income/(loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	1			116			(1,419)	539
Noncontrolling interest, end of interim period	3,049						3,049
Albany Safran Composites, LLC [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net income of Albany Safran Composites (ASC)							(13,310)	6,368
Less: Return attributable to the Company's preferred holding							884	974
Net (loss)/income of ASC available for common ownership							(14,194)	5,394
Net income/(loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest							(1,419)	539
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interest, beginning of year			$ 4,006			$ 3,031	4,006	3,031
Net income/(loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest							(1,419)	539
Changes in other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest							462	(19)
Noncontrolling interest, end of interim period	$ 3,049			$ 3,551			$ 3,049	$ 3,551
Albany Safran Composites, LLC [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Ownership percentage of noncontrolling shareholder	10.00%			10.00%			10.00%	10.00%