Other Income (Expense) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Component of Other Income (Expense), Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense)	$ (195)	$ 2,237	$ (359)	$ 8,307
Gain on sale of land at Libbey Holland [Member]
Component of Other Income (Expense), Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense)	0	0	0	3,445
Gain on sale of Traex assets [Member]
Component of Other Income (Expense), Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense)	0	(81)	0	3,240
Gain (loss) on currency translation [Member]
Component of Other Income (Expense), Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense)	(374)	1,705	(765)	130
Hedge ineffectiveness [Member]
Component of Other Income (Expense), Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense)	(666)	503	(436)	990
Other non-operating income (expense) [Member]
Component of Other Income (Expense), Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense)	$ 845	$ 110	$ 842	$ 502