Noncontrolling Interest (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net income of Albany Safran Composites, LLC (ASC)	$ 9,680	$ 11,774	$ 19,799	$ 33,644
Net income/(loss) of ASC available for common ownership	9,658	11,812	19,699	33,652
Net income/(loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	22	(38)	100	(8)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interest, beginning of year			3,699
Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	22	$ (38)	100	(8)
Noncontrolling interest, end of period	$ 3,800		3,800
Albany Safran Composites, LLC [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net income of Albany Safran Composites, LLC (ASC)			1,747	679
Return attributable to the Company's preferred holding			(748)	(759)
Net income/(loss) of ASC available for common ownership			$ 999	$ (80)
Ownership percentage of noncontrolling shareholder	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%
Net income/(loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest			$ 100	$ (8)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interest, beginning of year			$ 3,699	3,482
Adjustment to net assets contributed by Albany				38
Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest			$ 100	(8)
Changes in other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest			1	7
Noncontrolling interest, end of period	$ 3,800	$ 3,519	$ 3,800	$ 3,519