Restructuring (Schedule of Restructuring Charges) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net	$ 2,036	$ 6,648	$ 4,717	$ 7,327
Machine Clothing [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net	805	5,434	916	6,132
Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net	1,231	1,147	3,801	1,147
Corporate Expenses [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net		$ 67		48
Termination and other costs [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			4,272	6,801
Termination and other costs [Member] | Machine Clothing [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			916	5,832
Termination and other costs [Member] | Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			3,356	921
Termination and other costs [Member] | Corporate Expenses [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net				48
Impairment of plant and equipment [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			445	526
Impairment of plant and equipment [Member] | Machine Clothing [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net				300
Impairment of plant and equipment [Member] | Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			445	226
Impairment of plant and equipment [Member] | Corporate Expenses [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring costs incurred [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			4,717	7,327
Restructuring costs incurred [Member] | Machine Clothing [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			916	6,132
Restructuring costs incurred [Member] | Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			3,801	1,147
Restructuring costs incurred [Member] | Corporate Expenses [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net				$ 48