Business Acquisition (Summary of operational results of AAC) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Net sales	$ 199,277	$ 172,331
Operating income (loss)	22,056	22,269
Income (loss) before income taxes	17,524	20,359
Net income (loss) attributable to the Company	$ 10,839	$ 13,501
Income (loss) per share:
Basic	$ 0.34	$ 0.42
Diluted	$ 0.34	$ 0.42
Albany Aerostructures Composites LLC (AAC) [Member]
Net sales	$ 20,200
Operating income (loss)	(2,626)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(2,958)
Net income (loss) attributable to the Company	$ (1,864)
Income (loss) per share:
Basic	$ (0.06)
Diluted	$ (0.06)