Restructuring (Schedule of Restructuring Charges) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net	$ 2,552	$ 5,503	$ 13,714	$ 10,220
Machine Clothing [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net	371	96	10,523	1,012
Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net	2,189	5,407	2,968	9,208
Corporate Expenses [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net	$ (8)		223
Termination and other costs [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			12,558	5,185
Termination and other costs [Member] | Machine Clothing [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			11,129	1,012
Termination and other costs [Member] | Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			1,206	4,173
Termination and other costs [Member] | Corporate Expenses [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			223
Impairment of plant and equipment [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			1,906	886
Impairment of plant and equipment [Member] | Machine Clothing [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			144
Impairment of plant and equipment [Member] | Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			1,762	886
Impairment of plant and equipment [Member] | Corporate Expenses [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net
Benefit plan curtailment/settlement [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			(750)
Benefit plan curtailment/settlement [Member] | Machine Clothing [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			(750)
Benefit plan curtailment/settlement [Member] | Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net
Benefit plan curtailment/settlement [Member] | Corporate Expenses [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net
Impairment of intangible assets [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net				4,149
Impairment of intangible assets [Member] | Machine Clothing [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net
Impairment of intangible assets [Member] | Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net				$ 4,149