Restructuring (Schedule of Restructuring Charges) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net	$ 8,376	$ 23,846	$ 5,759
Machine Clothing [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net	6,069	22,211	4,828
Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net	2,314		931
Termination and Other Costs [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net	7,251	20,541	6,088
Termination and Other Costs [Member] | Machine Clothing [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net	5,756	18,906	5,769
Termination and Other Costs [Member] | Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net	1,502		319
Impairment of Plant and Equipment [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net	1,237	3,305	612
Impairment of Plant and Equipment [Member] | Machine Clothing [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net	425	3,305
Impairment of Plant and Equipment [Member] | Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net	812		612
Benefit Plan Curtailment/ Settlement [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net	(112)		(941)
Benefit Plan Curtailment/ Settlement [Member] | Machine Clothing [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net	(112)		(941)
Benefit Plan Curtailment/ Settlement [Member] | Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net
Corporate Expenses [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net	(7)	1,635
Corporate Expenses [Member] | Termination and Other Costs [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net	(7)	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