Restructuring (Schedule of Restructuring Charges) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net	$ (244)	$ 2,552	$ 1,139	$ 13,714
Machine Clothing [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net	(211)	370	1,125	10,522
Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net	(33)	2,189	18	2,968
Corporate Expenses [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net		$ (7)	(4)	224
Termination and other costs [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			1,095	12,558
Termination and other costs [Member] | Machine Clothing [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			1,081	11,128
Termination and other costs [Member] | Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			18	1,206
Termination and other costs [Member] | Corporate Expenses [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			(4)	224
Impairment of plant and equipment [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			44	1,906
Impairment of plant and equipment [Member] | Machine Clothing [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net			44	144
Impairment of plant and equipment [Member] | Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net				1,762
Impairment of plant and equipment [Member] | Corporate Expenses [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net
Impairment of intangible assets [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net				(750)
Impairment of intangible assets [Member] | Machine Clothing [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net				(750)
Impairment of intangible assets [Member] | Albany Engineered Composites [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net
Impairment of intangible assets [Member] | Corporate Expenses [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring expenses, net