Other (Expense) Income (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Component of Other Income (Expense), Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other (expense) income	$ 427	$ 3,064	$ (164)	$ 6,070
Gain on sale of land at Libbey Holland [Member]
Component of Other Income (Expense), Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other (expense) income	0	0	0	3,445
Gain on sale of Traex assets [Member]
Component of Other Income (Expense), Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other (expense) income	0	3,321	0	3,321
Gain (loss) on currency translation [Member]
Component of Other Income (Expense), Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other (expense) income	578	(409)	(391)	(1,575)
Hedge ineffectiveness [Member]
Component of Other Income (Expense), Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other (expense) income	(189)	(148)	230	487
Other non-operating income (expense) [Member]
Component of Other Income (Expense), Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other (expense) income	$ 38	$ 300	$ (3)	$ 392