Revenue Recognition (Schedule of Disaggregate Revenue for Each Business Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenue	$ 251,600	$ 251,900	$ 255,400	$ 223,600	$ 226,700	$ 222,100	$ 215,600	$ 199,300	$ 213,000	$ 191,300	$ 203,200	$ 172,300	$ 982,479	$ 863,717	$ 779,839
Machine Clothing [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenue													611,858	590,357	582,190
Albany Engineered Composites ASC [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenue													182,699
Albany Engineered Composites Other AEC [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenue													187,922
Engineered Composites [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenue													370,621	$ 273,360	$ 197,649
Point in Time Revenue Recognition [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenue													630,272
Point in Time Revenue Recognition [Member] | Machine Clothing [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenue													608,658
Point in Time Revenue Recognition [Member] | Albany Engineered Composites ASC [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenue
Point in Time Revenue Recognition [Member] | Albany Engineered Composites Other AEC [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenue													21,614
Point in Time Revenue Recognition [Member] | Engineered Composites [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenue													21,614
Over Time Revenue Recognition [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenue													352,207
Over Time Revenue Recognition [Member] | Machine Clothing [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenue													3,200
Over Time Revenue Recognition [Member] | Albany Engineered Composites ASC [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenue													182,699
Over Time Revenue Recognition [Member] | Albany Engineered Composites Other AEC [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenue													166,308
Over Time Revenue Recognition [Member] | Engineered Composites [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Revenue													$ 349,007