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Reportable Segments (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 271,133	$ 251,889	$ 796,454	$ 730,866
Performance obligations	8,100	9,500	8,100	9,500
Remaining performance obligation expected to be recognized during 2019	2,500		2,500
Operating income	55,678	40,834	149,996	99,994
Albany Safran Composites, LLC [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales			175,200	136,900
Accounts receivable, unbilled receivables and contract receivables	107,500		107,500		$ 96,200
AEC [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Immaterial out-of-period favorable adjustment			8,800	500
Machine Clothing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	151,324	157,608	450,673	461,165
Operating income	$ 51,906	$ 49,695	$ 145,688	$ 126,952
Machine Clothing [Member] \| Accounting Standards Update 2018-11 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Increase in assets					5,600
AEC assets [Member] \| Accounting Standards Update 2018-11 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Increase in assets					500
Corporate [Member] \| Accounting Standards Update 2018-11 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Increase in assets					$ 1,000