Net Sales and Gross Profit by Line of Business (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Product 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
Gross profit (loss)	291,678	293,307	712,838	685,988
Corporate
Product Information [Line Items]
Gross profit (loss)	3,446	(3,334)	3,321	(8,908)
Building Materials Business | Operating Segments
Product 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
Gross profit (loss)	268,322	273,796	643,668	627,332
Building Materials Business | Operating Segments | Interproduct Sales
Product Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	(106,009)	(111,721)	(271,171)	(246,865)
Net sales	(106,009)	(111,721)	(271,171)	(246,866)
Magnesia Specialties | Operating Segments
Product Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	63,905	65,149	202,510	192,955
Net sales	58,526	60,244	186,342	178,615
Gross profit (loss)	19,910	22,845	65,849	67,564
Aggregates | Building Materials Business | Operating Segments | Reportable Subsegments
Product Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	647,121	637,995	1,776,292	1,715,457
Net sales	591,195	581,536	1,620,962	1,559,688
Gross profit (loss)	187,947	173,891	440,711	420,972
Cement | Building Materials Business | Operating Segments | Reportable Subsegments
Product Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	91,884	97,287	290,513	287,944
Net sales	88,615	94,744	281,315	279,045
Gross profit (loss)	27,604	36,871	87,962	93,535
Ready Mixed Concrete | Building Materials Business | Operating Segments | Reportable Subsegments
Product Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	240,456	264,050	705,128	666,506
Net sales	240,216	263,747	704,491	665,546
Gross profit (loss)	23,907	32,787	70,562	75,987
Asphalt and Paving
Product Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	150,375	151,141	291,844	253,937
Net sales	149,594	149,794	288,171	251,712
Gross profit (loss)	$ 28,864	$ 30,247	$ 44,433	$ 36,838