Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2012 segment		Jun. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments					2
Net Sales:
Net sales	$ 209,247		$ 214,013		$ 397,076		$ 395,028
Segment EBIT:
Segment EBIT	41,983		33,735		67,030		54,005
Reconciliation of Segment EBIT to Net Income
Retained corporate costs	(12,587)		(9,938)		(23,295)		(19,903)
Loss on redemption of debt (note 4)	(31,075)		0		(31,075)		(2,803)
Gain on sale of Traex assets	0		3,321		0		3,321
Gain on sale of land	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	3,445	[1]
Equipment credit (note 16)	0		1,021		0		1,021
Restructuring charges	0		57		0		6
Other special items	0	[2]	(420)	[2]	0	[2]	(420)	[2]
Interest expense	(9,957)		(10,787)		(20,365)		(22,370)
Income taxes	1,493		(1,583)		(1,797)		(1,897)
Net (loss) income	(10,143)		15,406		(9,502)		14,405
Depreciation & Amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	10,288		11,027		20,824		21,908
Capital Expenditures:
Capital expenditures	5,386		9,892		11,832		18,398
Glass Operations [Member]
Net Sales:
Net sales	190,541		194,487		361,819		356,540
Segment EBIT:
Segment EBIT	38,306		29,973		60,289		47,364
Depreciation & Amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	9,890		10,531		20,026		20,780
Capital Expenditures:
Capital expenditures	5,070		9,347		11,464		17,769
Other Operations [Member]
Net Sales:
Net sales	18,942		19,690		35,696		38,851
Segment EBIT:
Segment EBIT	3,677		3,762		6,741		6,641
Depreciation & Amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	11		54		22		246
Capital Expenditures:
Capital expenditures	0		0		0		3
Corporate [Member]
Depreciation & Amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	387		442		776		882
Capital Expenditures:
Capital expenditures	316		545		368		626
Eliminations [Member]
Net Sales:
Net sales	$ (236)		$ (164)		$ (439)		$ (363)

[1] Net gain on the sale of land at our Libbey Holland facility.

[2] For 2011 this represents CEO transition expenses.