Noncontrolling Interest (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net income of Albany Safran Composites (ASC)	$ 30,306	$ 1,233	$ 40,788	$ 12,207
Net income of ASC available for common ownership	30,365	1,117	40,610	11,956
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(59)	116	178	251
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interest, beginning of year			3,247
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(59)	$ 116	178	251
Noncontrolling interest	$ 3,102		3,102		$ 3,247
Albany Safran Composites, LLC [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net income of Albany Safran Composites (ASC)			2,419	3,029
Less: Return attributable to the Company's preferred holding			635	515
Net income of ASC available for common ownership			$ 1,784	$ 2,514
Ownership percentage of noncontrolling shareholder	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			$ 178	$ 251
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interest, beginning of year			3,247	3,767	3,767
Decrease attributable to application of ASC 606			(327)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			178	251
Changes in other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest			4	13
Noncontrolling interest	$ 3,102	$ 4,031	$ 3,102	$ 4,031	$ 3,247

Total of all stockholders' equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity which is directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (that is, noncontrolling interest, previously referred to as minority interest).

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