Reportable Segments (Schedule of Financial Data by Reporting Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 271,133	$ 251,889	$ 796,454	$ 730,866
Operating income/(loss)	55,678	40,834	149,996	99,994
Interest income	(851)	(579)	(2,037)	(1,399)
Interest expense	4,838	5,200	15,072	14,929
Other (income)/expense, net	(1,628)	(3,151)	(1,906)	(973)
Income before income taxes	53,319	39,364	138,867	87,437
Machine Clothing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	151,324	157,608	450,673	461,165
Operating income/(loss)	51,906	49,695	145,688	126,952
Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	119,809	94,281	345,781	269,701
Operating income/(loss)	17,345	3,613	44,598	9,980
Corporate Expenses [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income/(loss)	$ (13,573)	$ (12,474)	$ (40,290)	$ (36,938)