Financial Data for Continuing Operations for Company's Reportable Business Segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 1,063,524	$ 977,298	$ 1,907,383	$ 1,766,032
Net sales	996,289	915,436	1,787,973	1,649,396
Earnings (Loss) from operations	212,852	190,848	290,002	276,872
Building Materials Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	993,495	913,662	1,768,778	1,638,226
Net sales	931,735	856,570	1,660,157	1,531,025
Earnings (Loss) from operations	212,188	191,763	296,878	279,291
Operating Segments | Mid-America Group | Building Materials Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	290,899	278,676	479,918	465,023
Net sales	269,844	258,988	447,181	432,360
Earnings (Loss) from operations	85,363	80,792	98,705	95,486
Operating Segments | Southeast Group | Building Materials Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	92,348	87,600	182,630	159,271
Net sales	88,489	82,676	175,148	149,961
Earnings (Loss) from operations	14,334	11,614	24,449	18,642
Operating Segments | West Group | Building Materials Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	610,248	547,386	1,106,230	1,013,932
Net sales	573,402	514,906	1,037,828	948,704
Earnings (Loss) from operations	112,491	99,357	173,724	165,163
Operating Segments | Magnesia Specialties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	70,029	63,636	138,605	127,806
Net sales	64,554	58,866	127,816	118,371
Earnings (Loss) from operations	21,118	19,277	40,999	39,887
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings (Loss) from operations	$ (20,454)	$ (20,192)	$ (47,875)	$ (42,306)