Reportable Segments (Schedule of Financial Data by Reporting Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 191,272	$ 178,789	$ 566,793	$ 532,402
Operating income/(loss)	24,820	25,843	64,946	49,030
Interest expense	3,681	2,671	9,610	8,049
Other income, net	242	1,249	(2,103)	784
Income before income taxes	20,897	21,923	57,439	40,197
Total assets of the AEC segment increased			242,000
Capital expenditures including amounts that were included in accounts payable			53,800
Adjustment to capital expenditures and accounts payable amounts in cash flows to reflect non-cash amount			2,500
Acquisition related costs	5,400		5,400
Machine Clothing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	143,248	154,522	437,445	463,577
Operating income/(loss)	40,039	41,956	12,583	110,969
Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	48,024	24,267	129,348	68,625
Operating income/(loss)	(4,529)	(4,191)	(14,083)	(26,635)
Corporate Expenses [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income/(loss)	(10,690)	(11,922)	(33,554)	(35,304)
Significant Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest income	(675)	(428)	(1,347)	(1,205)
Interest expense	4,356	3,099	10,957	9,254
Other income, net	$ 242	$ 1,249	$ (2,103)	$ 784