Noncontrolling Interest (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net (loss)/income of Albany Safran Composites, LLC (ASC)	$ 13,316	$ 12,239
Net (loss)/income of ASC available for common ownership	13,501	12,213
Net (loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(185)	26
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interest, beginning of year	3,690
Net (loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(185)	26
Noncontrolling interest	3,502
Albany Safran Composites, LLC [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net (loss)/income of Albany Safran Composites, LLC (ASC)	(1,609)	511
Less: Return attributable to the Company's preferred holding	238	255
Net (loss)/income of ASC available for common ownership	$ (1,847)	$ 256
Ownership percentage of noncontrolling shareholder	10.00%	10.00%
Net (loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interest	$ (185)	$ 26
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interest, beginning of year	3,690	3,699
Net (loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(185)	26
Changes in other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(3)	1
Noncontrolling interest	$ 3,502	$ 3,726