Net Sales and Gross Profit by Line of Business (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Product Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 791,684	$ 733,960
Gross profit (loss)	147,067	145,250
Corporate
Product Information [Line Items]
Gross profit (loss)	(439)	(4,023)
Building Materials Business | Operating Segments
Product Information [Line Items]
Net sales	728,422	674,455
Gross profit (loss)	125,191	126,275
Building Materials Business | Operating Segments | Interproduct Sales
Product Information [Line Items]
Net sales	(65,624)	(53,954)
Magnesia Specialties | Operating Segments
Product Information [Line Items]
Net sales	63,262	59,505
Gross profit (loss)	22,315	22,998
Aggregates | Building Materials Business | Operating Segments | Reportable Subsegments
Product Information [Line Items]
Net sales	451,379	430,860
Gross profit (loss)	79,278	82,036
Ready Mixed Concrete | Building Materials Business | Operating Segments | Reportable Subsegments
Product Information [Line Items]
Net sales	222,380	186,852
Gross profit (loss)	19,793	17,900
Asphalt and Paving
Product Information [Line Items]
Net sales	26,602	13,837
Gross profit (loss)	(4,790)	(6,276)
Cement | Building Materials Business | Operating Segments | Reportable Subsegments
Product Information [Line Items]
Net sales	93,685	96,860
Gross profit (loss)	$ 30,910	$ 32,615