Basis of Presentation (Schedule of Modified Segment Data) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 188,553	$ 206,722
Gross profit	71,834	88,845
Operating income	647	26,981
Machine Clothing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	164,288	188,482
Gross profit		86,537
Operating income	30,845	50,271
Engineered Composites [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	15,789	11,472
Gross profit		(19)
Operating income	29	(1,043)
PrimaLoft Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	8,476	6,768
Gross profit		3,657
Operating income	1,556	1,911
Research Expense [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	(6,065)	(7,165)
Non Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross profit		(1,330)
Operating income	(25,718)	(16,993)
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		251,850
Gross profit		104,993
Operating income		31,907
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] | Paper Machine Clothing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		167,896
Gross profit		78,320
Operating income		46,230
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] | Albany Door Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		45,128
Gross profit		16,148
Operating income		5,371
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] | Engineered Fabrics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		20,586
Gross profit		8,217
Operating income		4,041
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] | Engineered Composites [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		11,472
Gross profit		(19)
Operating income		(1,043)
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] | PrimaLoft Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		6,768
Gross profit		3,657
Operating income		1,911
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] | Research Expense [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income		(7,165)
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] | Non Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross profit		(1,330)
Operating income		(17,438)
Reclassify ADS to Discontinued Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		(45,128)
Gross profit		(16,148)
Operating income		(4,926)
Reclassify ADS to Discontinued Operations [Member] | Albany Door Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		(45,128)
Gross profit		(16,148)
Operating income		(5,371)
Reclassify ADS to Discontinued Operations [Member] | Non Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income		445
Merger of PMC and EF [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales
Gross profit
Operating income
Merger of PMC and EF [Member] | Paper Machine Clothing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		(167,896)
Gross profit		(78,320)
Operating income		(46,230)
Merger of PMC and EF [Member] | Machine Clothing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		188,482
Gross profit		86,537
Operating income		50,271
Merger of PMC and EF [Member] | Engineered Fabrics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		(20,586)
Gross profit		(8,217)
Operating income		$ (4,041)