Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Schedule of Amounts Reclassified by Segment and Financial Statement) (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)
Increase/(decrease) in expense Effect by segment operating expenses [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total operating expenses	$ (1,874)
Other expense, net	1,874
Increase/(decrease) in expense Effect by segment operating expenses [Member] | Machine Clothing [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total operating expenses	(14)
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	(1,860)
Increase/(decrease) in expense Effect by Statement of Income [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total operating expenses	(1,874)
Other expense, net	1,874
Increase/(decrease) in expense Effect by Statement of Income [Member] | Cost of goods sold [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total operating expenses	(371)
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	$ (1,503)