Noncontrolling Interest (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net income of Albany Safran Composites, LLC (ASC)	$ 12,239us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 10,693us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Net income of ASC available for common ownership	12,213	10,621
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	26	72
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interest, beginning of year	3,699us-gaap_MinorityInterest
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	26	72
Noncontrolling interest, year to date	3,726us-gaap_MinorityInterest
Albany Safran Composites, LLC [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net income of Albany Safran Composites, LLC (ASC)	511	967
Return attributable to the Company's preferred holding	(255)	(246)
Net income of ASC available for common ownership	256	721
Ownership percentage of noncontrolling shareholder	10.00%	10.00%
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	26	72
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interest, beginning of year	3,699	3,482
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	26	72
Changes in other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	1
Noncontrolling interest, year to date	$ 3,726	$ 3,554

Total of all stockholders' equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity which is directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (that is, noncontrolling interest, previously referred to as minority interest).

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