Revenue Recognition (Schedule of Disaggregate Revenue for Each Business Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	$ 900,610	$ 1,054,132	$ 982,479
Point in Time  Revenue Recognition
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	587,906	626,638	630,272
Over Time  Revenue Recognition
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	312,704	427,494	352,207
Machine Clothing
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	572,955	601,254	611,858
Machine Clothing | Point in Time  Revenue Recognition
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	569,563	598,054	608,658
Machine Clothing | Over Time  Revenue Recognition
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	3,392	3,200	3,200
Albany Engineered Composites
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	327,655	452,878	370,621
Albany Engineered Composites | Point in Time  Revenue Recognition
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	18,343	28,584	21,614
Albany Engineered Composites | Over Time  Revenue Recognition
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	309,312	424,294	349,007
ASC
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	98,411	220,188	182,699
ASC | Point in Time  Revenue Recognition
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	0	0	0
ASC | Over Time  Revenue Recognition
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	98,411	220,188	182,699
Other AEC
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	229,244	232,690	187,922
Other AEC | Point in Time  Revenue Recognition
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	18,343	28,584	21,614
Other AEC | Over Time  Revenue Recognition
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	$ 210,901	$ 204,106	$ 166,308