Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2017	Oct. 02, 2016	Oct. 01, 2017	Oct. 02, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 517,503	$ 489,647	$ 1,524,425	$ 1,492,937
Cost of goods sold	413,517	385,845	1,217,556	1,179,786
Gross profit	103,986	103,802	306,869	313,151
Selling, general and administration expenses	58,798	63,017	187,247	196,876
Restructuring costs, net	1,393	215	986	131
Loss (gain) on disposal of subsidiaries	0	(5,144)	212	(6,575)
Operating income (loss)	43,795	45,714	118,424	122,719
Interest expense (income), net	7,213	6,985	21,349	21,150
Other expense (income), net	(186)	(1,199)	(457)	(1,214)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit)	36,768	39,928	97,532	102,783
Income tax expense (benefit)	5,989	6,526	13,242	15,591
Income (loss) from continuing operations	30,779	33,402	84,290	87,192
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(139)	(236)	(518)	(608)
Net income (loss)	30,640	33,166	83,772	86,584
Less: net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	1,162	1,157	3,845	3,392
Net income (loss) attributable to Masonite	$ 29,478	$ 32,009	$ 79,927	$ 83,192
Earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Masonite:
Basic earnings per common share attributable to Masonite (in dollars per share)	$ 1.01	$ 1.05	$ 2.70	$ 2.73
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Masonite (in dollars per share)	1.00	1.03	2.65	2.66
Earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations attributable to Masonite:
Basic (in dollars per share)	1.02	1.06	2.72	2.75
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.00	$ 1.03	$ 2.67	$ 2.68
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)	$ 30,640	$ 33,166	$ 83,772	$ 86,584
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	13,652	(8,537)	36,133	(18,582)
Amortization of actuarial net losses	292	243	876	727
Income tax benefit (expense) related to other comprehensive income (loss)	427	(96)	(385)	(287)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	14,371	(8,390)	36,624	(18,142)
Comprehensive income (loss)	45,011	24,776	120,396	68,442
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	1,521	887	4,585	3,852
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Masonite	$ 43,490	$ 23,889	$ 115,811	$ 64,590