Noncontrolling Interest (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net income of ASC		$ 32,585	$ 52,812	$ 57,265
Net (loss)/income of ASC available for common ownership		33,111	52,733	57,279
Net (loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(526)	79	(14)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interest, beginning of year		3,767
Net (loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(526)	79	(14)
Noncontrolling interest, end of year		3,247	3,767
Albany Safran Composites, LLC [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Interest in subsidiary sold	10.00%
Cash contribution	$ 28,000
Albany's remaining interest	90.00%
Net income of ASC		(4,224)	1,777
Less: Return attributable to the Company's preferred holding		1,032	987
Net (loss)/income of ASC available for common ownership		$ (5,256)	$ 790
Ownership percentage of noncontrolling shareholder		10.00%	10.00%
Net (loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interest		$ (526)	$ 79
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interest, beginning of year		3,767	3,690
Net (loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(526)	79
Changes in other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest		6	(2)
Noncontrolling interest, end of year		$ 3,247	$ 3,767	$ 3,690