Noncontrolling Interest (Details) - Equity Component [Domain] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net income of Albany Safran Composites, LLC (ASC)	$ (2,120)	$ 11,177	$ 10,119	$ 21,870
Net income of ASC available for common ownership	(2,172)	11,219	10,041	21,840
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	52	(42)	78	30
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interest, beginning of year			3,699
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	52	$ (42)	78	30
Noncontrolling interest, end of period	$ 3,778		3,778
Albany Safran Composites, LLC [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net income of Albany Safran Composites, LLC (ASC)			1,282	801
Return attributable to the Company's preferred holding			(507)	(501)
Net income of ASC available for common ownership			$ 775	$ 300
Ownership percentage of noncontrolling shareholder	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			$ 78	$ 30
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interest, beginning of year			3,699	3,482
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			78	$ 30
Changes in other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest			1
Noncontrolling interest, end of period	$ 3,778	$ 3,512	$ 3,778	$ 3,512