Reportable Segments (Schedule of Financial Data by Reporting Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 199,277	$ 172,331
Operating income/(loss)	22,056	22,269
Interest income	(107)	(126)
Interest expense	4,328	2,238
Other expense/(income), net	204	(328)
Income before income taxes	17,524	20,359
Total assets of the AEC segment increased	0
Capital expenditures including amounts that were included in accounts payable	21,500	10,900
Adjustment to capital expenditures and accounts payable amounts in cash flows to reflect non-cash amount	3,600	2,800
Machine Clothing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	142,827	145,264
Operating income/(loss)	38,261	37,139
Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	56,450	27,067
Operating income/(loss)	(5,114)	(3,706)
Corporate Expenses [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income/(loss)	$ (11,091)	$ (11,164)