Reportable Segments (Schedule of Financial Data by Reporting Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 253,253	$ 222,141	$ 739,459	$ 636,989
Operating income/(loss)	41,445	22,928	104,960	55,461
Interest income	(579)	(355)	(1,399)	(801)
Interest expense	5,200	4,784	14,929	13,843
Other (income)/expense, net	(3,151)	(530)	(973)	2,854
Income before income taxes	39,975	19,029	92,403	39,565
Increase/(decrease) attributable to application of ASC 606 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	(1,692)		6,342
Operating income/(loss)	1,198		4,955
Interest income
Interest expense
Other (income)/expense, net
Income before income taxes	1,198		4,955
Machine Clothing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	158,971	150,694	469,758	440,093
Operating income/(loss)	50,310	42,674	131,921	119,352
Machine Clothing [Member] | Increase/(decrease) attributable to application of ASC 606 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	3,336		8,404
Operating income/(loss)	2,158		4,923
Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	94,282	71,447	269,701	196,896
Operating income/(loss)	3,612	(9,301)	9,979	(32,242)
Albany Engineered Composites [Member] | Increase/(decrease) attributable to application of ASC 606 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	(5,028)		(2,062)
Operating income/(loss)	(960)		32
Corporate Expenses [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income/(loss)	(12,477)	$ (10,450)	(36,940)	$ (31,663)
Corporate Expenses [Member] | Increase/(decrease) attributable to application of ASC 606 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income/(loss)