XML 39 R45.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Debt (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Publicly traded debt [Member]    
Financial Instruments    
Carrying Amount $ 1,120,982us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= shw_PubliclyTradedDebtMember		 $ 1,620,714us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= shw_PubliclyTradedDebtMember
Fair Value 1,165,804us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= shw_PubliclyTradedDebtMember		 1,629,928us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= shw_PubliclyTradedDebtMember
Non-traded debt [Member]    
Financial Instruments    
Carrying Amount 4,902us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= shw_NonTradedDebtMember		 3,905us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= shw_NonTradedDebtMember
Fair Value $ 4,655us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= shw_NonTradedDebtMember		 $ 3,683us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= shw_NonTradedDebtMember