Reportable Segments (Schedule of Financial Data by Reporting Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 215,571	$ 203,190	$ 414,848	$ 375,521
Operating income/(loss)	9,228	17,857	31,284	40,126
Interest income	(340)	(547)	(447)	(673)
Interest expense	4,625	4,238	9,060	6,602
Other expense/(income), net	1,931	(2,017)	2,135	(2,345)
Income before income taxes	3,012	16,183	20,536	36,542
Machine Clothing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	146,572	148,934	289,399	294,197
Operating income/(loss)	38,418	35,405	76,679	72,543
Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	68,999	54,256	125,449	81,324
Operating income/(loss)	(17,828)	(5,848)	(22,942)	(9,553)
Corporate Expenses [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income/(loss)	$ (11,362)	$ (11,700)	$ (22,453)	$ (22,864)