Acquisitions (Pro Forma Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2018	Apr. 02, 2017
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 517,879	$ 487,181
Pro forma revenue	522,797	502,634
Net income (loss) attributable to Masonite	20,826	23,565
Pro forma net income (loss) attributable Masonite	$ 20,907	$ 23,611
Basic earnings per common share attributable to Masonite (in dollars per share)	$ 0.74	$ 0.79
Pro forma earnings per share, basic (in dollars per share)	0.74	0.79
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Masonite (in dollars per share)	0.73	0.77
Pro forma earnings per share, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.73	$ 0.78
DW3
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 4,918	$ 12,694
Net income (loss) attributable to Masonite	$ 81	(133)
A&F
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Line Items]
Net sales		3,140
Pro forma elimination of intercompany sales		(381)
Net income (loss) attributable to Masonite		193
Pro forma elimination of net income resulting from intercompany sales		$ (14)