Reportable Segments (Schedule of Financial Data by Reporting Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 203,190	$ 172,289	$ 375,521	$ 353,613
Operating income/(loss)	17,857	3,038	40,126	23,187
Interest expense	3,691	2,702	5,929	5,378
Other income, net	(2,017)	2,820	(2,345)	(465)
Income before income taxes	16,183	(2,484)	36,542	18,274
Capital expenditures including amounts that were included in accounts payable			30,900
Adjustment to capital expenditures and accounts payable amounts in cash flows to reflect non-cash amount			2,100
Acquisition related costs	5,400		5,400
Machine Clothing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	148,934	150,561	294,197	309,055
Operating income/(loss)	35,405	33,323	72,543	69,013
Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	54,256	21,728	81,324	44,558
Operating income/(loss)	(5,848)	(18,633)	(9,553)	(22,444)
Corporate Expenses [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income/(loss)	(11,700)	(11,652)	(22,864)	(23,382)
Significant Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest income	(547)	(437)	(673)	(777)
Interest expense	4,238	3,139	6,602	6,155
Other income, net	$ (2,017)	$ 2,820	$ (2,345)	$ (465)