Restructuring (Schedule of Restructuring Charges) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net	$ 326	$ 3,717	$ 7,653	$ 13,929
Termination and Other Costs [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			7,194	10,704
Impairment of Plant and Equipment [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			589	3,225
Benefit Plan Curtailment/ Settlement [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			(130)
Machine Clothing [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net	(212)	3,717	5,921	13,929
Machine Clothing [Member] | Termination and Other Costs [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			5,751	10,704
Machine Clothing [Member] | Impairment of Plant and Equipment [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			300	3,225
Machine Clothing [Member] | Benefit Plan Curtailment/ Settlement [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			(130)
Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net	640		1,787
Albany Engineered Composites [Member] | Termination and Other Costs [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			1,498
Albany Engineered Composites [Member] | Impairment of Plant and Equipment [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			289
Albany Engineered Composites [Member] | Benefit Plan Curtailment/ Settlement [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net
Corporate Expenses [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net	$ (102)		(55)
Corporate Expenses [Member] | Termination and Other Costs [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			(55)
Corporate Expenses [Member] | Impairment of Plant and Equipment [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net
Corporate Expenses [Member] | Benefit Plan Curtailment/ Settlement [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net