Reportable Segments (Schedule of Financial Data by Reporting Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 256,225	$ 215,571	$ 486,206	$ 414,848
Operating income/(loss)	42,684	9,855	63,515	32,533
Interest income	(438)	(340)	(820)	(447)
Interest expense	5,059	4,625	9,729	9,060
Other expense/(income), net	726	2,558	2,178	3,384
Income before income taxes	37,337	3,012	52,428	20,536
Increase/(decrease) attributable to application of ASC 606 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	(400)		8,034
Operating income/(loss)	1,909		3,757
Interest income
Interest expense
Other expense/(income), net
Income before income taxes	1,909		3,757
Machine Clothing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	162,635	146,572	310,786	289,399
Operating income/(loss)	50,843	38,418	81,613	76,688
Machine Clothing [Member] | Increase/(decrease) attributable to application of ASC 606 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	857		5,068
Operating income/(loss)	1,786		2,765
Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	93,590	68,999	175,420	125,449
Operating income/(loss)	4,092	(17,828)	6,366	(22,942)
Albany Engineered Composites [Member] | Increase/(decrease) attributable to application of ASC 606 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	(1,257)		2,966
Operating income/(loss)	123		992
Corporate Expenses [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income/(loss)	$ (12,251)	$ (10,742)	(24,464)	$ (21,213)
Corporate Expenses [Member] | Increase/(decrease) attributable to application of ASC 606 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income/(loss)