Noncontrolling Interest (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net income of ASC		$ 52,812	$ 57,265	$ 41,749
Net (loss)/income of ASC available for common ownership		52,733	57,279	41,569
Net (loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interest		79	(14)	180
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interest, beginning of year		3,690
Net (loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interest		79	(14)	180
Noncontrolling interest, end of year		3,767	3,690
Albany Safran Composites, LLC [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Interest in subsidiary sold	10.00%
Cash contribution	$ 28,000
Albany's remaining interest	90.00%
Net income of ASC		1,777	842
Less: Return attributable to the Company's preferred holding		987	978
Net (loss)/income of ASC available for common ownership		$ 790	$ (136)
Ownership percentage of noncontrolling shareholder		10.00%	10.00%
Net (loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interest		$ 79	$ (14)
Ownership interest in ASC		90.00%
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interest, beginning of year		$ 3,690	3,699
Net (loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interest		79	(14)
Changes in other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(2)	5
Noncontrolling interest, end of year		$ 3,767	$ 3,690	$ 3,699