Note 16 - Disclosures about Fair Value (Details) - Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Note 16 - Disclosures about Fair Value (Details) - Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes payable, net	$ 2,132,229us-gaap_SeniorNotes	$ 2,131,393us-gaap_SeniorNotes
Financial Services [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Note 16 - Disclosures about Fair Value (Details) - Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Mortgage loans held for investment, net	18,518	14,380
Mortgage loans held for investment, net	18,518	14,380
Financial Services [Member]
Note 16 - Disclosures about Fair Value (Details) - Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Mortgage loans held for investment, net	18,518	14,380
Homebuilding [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Note 16 - Disclosures about Fair Value (Details) - Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes payable, net	2,132,229	2,131,393
Senior notes payable, net	2,400,930	2,337,839
Homebuilding [Member]
Note 16 - Disclosures about Fair Value (Details) - Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior notes payable, net	$ 2,132,229	$ 2,131,393

Name:	spf_Note16DisclosuresaboutFairValueDetailsCarryingValuesandEstimatedFairValueofOtherFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	spf_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Fair value portion of investment securities, including, but not limited to, marketable securities, derivative financial instruments, and investments accounted for under the equity method.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Available-for-Sale Securities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6505594

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 25

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51813488&loc=d3e22054-111558

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph a, f, g

-Article 7

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Trading Securities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6526789

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 35

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27723805&loc=d3e24584-111560

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The balance represents the amount of loans that are secured by real estate mortgages, offset by the reserve to cover probable credit losses on the loan portfolio.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(c))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCommercialAndConsumerNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value portion of notes payable.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19,20,22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of Notes with the highest claim on the assets of the issuer in case of bankruptcy or liquidation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer). Senior note holders are paid off in full before any payments are made to junior note holders.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SeniorNotes
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=spf_FinancialServicesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=spf_HomebuildingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: