Restructuring (Schedule of Restructuring Charges) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net	$ 23,846	$ 5,759	$ 25,108
Termination and Other Costs [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net	20,541	6,088	26,290
Impairment of Plant and Equipment [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net	$ 3,305	612	88
Benefit Plan Curtailment/ Settlement [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net		(941)	(1,270)
Machine Clothing [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net	$ 22,211	4,828	24,568
Machine Clothing [Member] | Termination and Other Costs [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net	18,906	$ 5,769	$ 25,838
Machine Clothing [Member] | Impairment of Plant and Equipment [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net	$ 3,305
Machine Clothing [Member] | Benefit Plan Curtailment/ Settlement [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net		$ (941)	$ (1,270)
Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net		931	540
Albany Engineered Composites [Member] | Termination and Other Costs [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net		319	452
Albany Engineered Composites [Member] | Impairment of Plant and Equipment [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net		$ 612	$ 88
Albany Engineered Composites [Member] | Benefit Plan Curtailment/ Settlement [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net
Corporate Expenses [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net	$ 1,635
Corporate Expenses [Member] | Termination and Other Costs [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net	$ 1,635
Corporate Expenses [Member] | Impairment of Plant and Equipment [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net
Corporate Expenses [Member] | Benefit Plan Curtailment/ Settlement [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net