Financial Data for Continuing Operations for Corporations Reportable Business Segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 843,859	$ 788,734
Net sales	791,684	733,960
Earnings (Loss) from operations	77,150	86,023
Building Materials Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	775,283	724,564
Net sales	728,422	674,455
Earnings (Loss) from operations	84,689	87,527
Operating Segments | Mid-America Group | Building Materials Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	189,019	186,347
Net sales	177,336	173,372
Earnings (Loss) from operations	13,342	14,694
Operating Segments | Southeast Group | Building Materials Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	90,282	71,671
Net sales	86,660	67,284
Earnings (Loss) from operations	10,115	7,027
Operating Segments | West Group | Building Materials Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	495,982	466,546
Net sales	464,426	433,799
Earnings (Loss) from operations	61,232	65,806
Operating Segments | Magnesia Specialties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	68,576	64,170
Net sales	63,262	59,505
Earnings (Loss) from operations	19,881	20,610
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings (Loss) from operations	$ (27,420)	$ (22,114)