Restructuring (Schedule of Restructuring Charges) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net	$ 5,503	$ 326	$ 10,220	$ 7,653
Machine Clothing [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net	96	(212)	1,012	5,921
Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net	5,407	640	9,208	1,787
Corporate Expenses [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net		$ (102)		(55)
Restructuring costs incurred [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			10,220	7,653
Restructuring costs incurred [Member] | Machine Clothing [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			1,012	5,921
Restructuring costs incurred [Member] | Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			9,208	1,787
Restructuring costs incurred [Member] | Corporate Expenses [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net				(55)
Termination and other costs [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			5,185	7,194
Termination and other costs [Member] | Machine Clothing [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			1,012	5,751
Termination and other costs [Member] | Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			4,173	1,498
Termination and other costs [Member] | Corporate Expenses [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net				(55)
Impairment of plant and equipment [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			886	589
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			886	289
Impairment of plant and equipment [Member] | Corporate Expenses [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net
Impairment of intangible asset [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			4,149	(130)
Impairment of intangible asset [Member] | Machine Clothing [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net				(130)
Impairment of intangible asset [Member] | Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			4,149
Impairment of intangible asset [Member] | Corporate Expenses [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net