Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Schedule of Amounts Reclassified by Segment and Financial Statement) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Increase/(decrease) in expense Effect by segment operating expenses [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total operating expenses	$ (622)
Other expense, net	622
Increase/(decrease) in expense Effect by segment operating expenses [Member] | Machine Clothing [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total operating expenses	(2)
Increase/(decrease) in expense Effect by segment operating expenses [Member] | Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total operating expenses
Increase/(decrease) in expense Effect by segment operating expenses [Member] | Corporate Expenses [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total operating expenses	(620)
Increase/(decrease) in expense Effect by Statement of Income [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total operating expenses	(622)
Other expense, net	622
Increase/(decrease) in expense Effect by Statement of Income [Member] | Cost of goods sold [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total operating expenses	(123)
Increase/(decrease) in expense Effect by Statement of Income [Member] | Selling, general and administrative expenses [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total operating expenses	$ (499)