Noncontrolling Interest (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net income/(loss) of ASC	$ 10,974	$ 13,316
Net income/(loss) of ASC available for common ownership	10,839	13,501
Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	135	(185)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interest, beginning of year	3,767
Net (loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interest	135	(185)
Noncontrolling interest	3,907
Albany Safran Composites, LLC [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net income/(loss) of ASC	1,601	(1,609)
Less: Return attributable to the Company's preferred holding	254	238
Net income/(loss) of ASC available for common ownership	$ 1,347	$ (1,847)
Ownership percentage of noncontrolling shareholder	10.00%	10.00%
Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	$ 135	$ (185)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interest, beginning of year	3,767	3,690
Net (loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interest	135	(185)
Changes in other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	5	(3)
Noncontrolling interest	$ 3,907	$ 3,502