Reportable Segments (Schedule of Financial Data by Reporting Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 229,981	$ 199,277
Operating income/(loss)	20,831	22,678
Interest income	(382)	(107)
Interest expense	4,670	4,435
Other expense/(income), net	1,452	826
Income before income taxes	15,091	17,524
Increase/(decrease) attributable to application of ASC 606 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	8,434
Operating income/(loss)	1,848
Interest income
Interest expense
Other expense/(income), net
Income before income taxes	1,848
Machine Clothing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	148,151	142,827
Operating income/(loss)	30,769	38,263
Machine Clothing [Member] | Increase/(decrease) attributable to application of ASC 606 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	4,211
Operating income/(loss)	979
Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	81,830	56,450
Operating income/(loss)	2,275	(5,114)
Albany Engineered Composites [Member] | Increase/(decrease) attributable to application of ASC 606 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	4,223
Operating income/(loss)	869
Corporate Expenses [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income/(loss)	(12,213)	$ (10,471)
Corporate Expenses [Member] | Increase/(decrease) attributable to application of ASC 606 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income/(loss)