Restructuring (Schedule of Restructuring Charges) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net	$ 13,491	$ 8,376	$ 23,846
Machine Clothing [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net	3,429	6,069	22,211
Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net	10,062	2,314
Termination and Other Costs [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net	7,949	7,251	20,541
Termination and Other Costs [Member] | Machine Clothing [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net	2,945	5,756	18,906
Termination and Other Costs [Member] | Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net	5,004	1,502
Impairment of Plant and Equipment [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net	5,542	1,237	3,305
Impairment of Plant and Equipment [Member] | Machine Clothing [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net	484	425	3,305
Impairment of Plant and Equipment [Member] | Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net	5,058	812
Benefit Plan Curtailment/ Settlement [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net		(112)
Benefit Plan Curtailment/ Settlement [Member] | Machine Clothing [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net		(112)
Benefit Plan Curtailment/ Settlement [Member] | Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net
Corporate Expenses [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net		(7)	1,635
Corporate Expenses [Member] | Termination and Other Costs [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net		(7)	1,635
Corporate Expenses [Member] | Impairment of Plant and Equipment [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net
Corporate Expenses [Member] | Benefit Plan Curtailment/ Settlement [Member]
Restructuring expenses, net
Restructuring expenses, net