Segments and Geographic Information (Reconciliation of Segment EBIT to Net Income) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013 segment		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments	3
Net Sales:
Net sales	$ 818,811		$ 825,287		$ 817,056
Segment EBIT:
Segment EBIT	114,258		115,346		92,697
Reconciliation of Segment EBIT to Net Income:
Retained corporate costs	(22,293)		(24,413)		(21,796)
Loss on redemption of debt (note 6)	(2,518)		(31,075)		(2,803)
Severance	0		(5,150)		(1,105)
Pension curtailment and settlement charge	(2,252)		(4,306)		0
Gain on sale of Traex assets (note 17)	0		0		3,418
Furnace malfunction (note 18)	(4,428)		0		0
Gain on sale of land (1) (note 17)	0	[1]	0	[1]	3,445	[1]
Equipment write-down (note 5)	0		0		(817)
Equipment credit (note 5)	0		0		1,021
Restructuring charges (note 7)	(6,544)		0		84
CEO transition expenses	0		0		(2,722)
Abandoned property (note 18)	(1,781)		0		(2,719)
Executive retirement	(736)		0		0
Interest expense	(32,006)		(37,727)		(43,419)
Income taxes	(13,241)		(5,709)		(1,643)
Net income	28,459		6,966		23,641
Depreciation & Amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	43,969		41,471		42,188
Capital Expenditures:
Capital Expenditures	49,407		32,720		41,420
Segment Assets(1):
Accounts Receivable, Net and Inventory, Net	252,670		238,399
Americas
Net Sales:
Net sales	560,840		580,734		571,394
Segment EBIT:
Segment EBIT	100,258		95,833		74,725
Depreciation & Amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	24,953		24,661		24,272
Capital Expenditures:
Capital Expenditures	31,404		24,021		30,175
Segment Assets(1):
Accounts Receivable, Net and Inventory, Net	158,131		150,923
EMEA
Net Sales:
Net sales	146,455		134,778		144,575
Segment EBIT:
Segment EBIT	874		(714)		3,924
Depreciation & Amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	10,449		9,746		10,372
Capital Expenditures:
Capital Expenditures	7,787		5,459		9,253
Segment Assets(1):
Accounts Receivable, Net and Inventory, Net	50,115		49,981
U.S. Sourcing
Net Sales:
Net sales	78,302		72,234		65,601
Segment EBIT:
Segment EBIT	9,752		11,381		10,394
Depreciation & Amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	33		40		43
Capital Expenditures:
Capital Expenditures	30		0		25
Segment Assets(1):
Accounts Receivable, Net and Inventory, Net	27,202		21,800
Non-Reportable Segments, Other
Net Sales:
Net sales	33,214		37,541		35,486
Segment EBIT:
Segment EBIT	3,374		8,846		3,654
Depreciation & Amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	7,275		5,777		5,976
Capital Expenditures:
Capital Expenditures	7,437		2,196		736
Segment Assets(1):
Accounts Receivable, Net and Inventory, Net	17,222		15,695
Corporate
Depreciation & Amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	1,259		1,247		1,525
Capital Expenditures:
Capital Expenditures	$ 2,749		$ 1,044		$ 1,231

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