Financial Data for Continuing Operations for Company's Reportable Business Segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 1,087,732	$ 1,103,901	$ 2,995,116	$ 2,869,934
Net sales	1,022,137	1,038,344	2,810,110	2,687,740
Earnings (Loss) from operations	226,964	242,669	516,967	519,541
Building Materials Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	1,023,827	1,038,752	2,792,606	2,676,979
Net sales	963,611	978,100	2,623,768	2,509,125
Earnings (Loss) from operations	220,639	238,667	517,516	517,957
Operating Segments | Mid-America Group | Building Materials Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	308,472	297,275	788,390	762,297
Net sales	287,078	275,791	734,258	708,151
Earnings (Loss) from operations	106,235	92,170	204,939	187,656
Operating Segments | Southeast Group | Building Materials Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	94,843	83,814	277,474	243,086
Net sales	91,407	80,044	266,556	230,005
Earnings (Loss) from operations	17,882	11,938	42,331	30,579
Operating Segments | West Group | Building Materials Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	620,512	657,663	1,726,742	1,671,596
Net sales	585,126	622,265	1,622,954	1,570,969
Earnings (Loss) from operations	96,522	134,559	270,246	299,722
Operating Segments | Magnesia Specialties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	63,905	65,149	202,510	192,955
Net sales	58,526	60,244	186,342	178,615
Earnings (Loss) from operations	17,590	20,432	58,589	60,319
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings (Loss) from operations	$ (11,265)	$ (16,430)	$ (59,138)	$ (58,735)