Schedule III - Quarterly Results of Operations (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands		3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015		Sep. 30, 2015		Jun. 30, 2015		Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Maximum [Member]
Market price of common stock: (c)
Market price of common stock (in dollars per share)	[1]	$ 12.60		$ 17.92		$ 20.93		$ 18.57		$ 21.39		$ 25.83		$ 29.58		$ 30.95		$ 20.93		$ 30.95
Minimum [Member]
Market price of common stock: (c)
Market price of common stock (in dollars per share)	[1]	$ 8.98		$ 6.40		$ 10.44		$ 12.86		$ 15.75		$ 20.57		$ 20.88		$ 25.84		$ 6.40		$ 15.75
Net sales		$ 237,505,000		$ 276,922,000		$ 315,251,000		$ 345,865,000		$ 326,693,000		$ 376,617,000		$ 386,047,000		$ 346,913,000		$ 1,175,543,000		$ 1,436,270,000
Operating income (loss)		(7,179,000)	[2]	453,000	[2]	(24,398,000)	[2]	3,345,000	[2]	(26,662,000)	[3]	4,117,000	[3]	7,108,000	[3]	6,229,000	[3]	(27,779,000)	[2]	(9,208,000)	[3]
Income (loss) before income taxes		(8,414,000)		(1,036,000)		(25,895,000)		1,751,000		(28,411,000)		2,495,000		5,325,000		4,477,000		(33,594,000)		(16,114,000)
Net income (loss)		$ (4,988,000)		$ (598,000)		$ (22,260,000)		$ 1,069,000		$ (26,891,000)		$ 1,556,000		$ 3,494,000		$ 2,777,000		$ (26,777,000)		$ (19,064,000)
Basic net income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)		$ (0.45)		$ (0.05)		$ (1.99)		$ 0.10		$ (2.42)		$ 0.14		$ 0.32		$ 0.25		$ (2.39)		$ (1.71)
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)		11,174		11,203		11,201		11,195		11,127		11,120		11,089		11,089		11,192		11,120
Diluted net income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)		$ (0.45)		$ (0.05)		$ (1.99)		$ 0.10		$ (2.42)		$ 0.14		$ 0.32		$ 0.25		$ (2.39)		$ (1.71)
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)		11,173		11,203		11,201		11,195		11,127		11,120		11,089		11,090		11,192		11,120
Net sales		$ 237,505,000		$ 276,922,000		$ 315,251,000		$ 345,865,000		$ 326,693,000		$ 376,617,000		$ 386,047,000		$ 346,913,000		$ 1,175,543,000		$ 1,436,270,000
Operating income (loss)		(7,179,000)	[2]	453,000	[2]	(24,398,000)	[2]	3,345,000	[2]	(26,662,000)	[3]	4,117,000	[3]	7,108,000	[3]	6,229,000	[3]	(27,779,000)	[2]	(9,208,000)	[3]
Income (loss) before income taxes		(8,414,000)		(1,036,000)		(25,895,000)		1,751,000		(28,411,000)		2,495,000		5,325,000		4,477,000		(33,594,000)		(16,114,000)
Net income (loss)		$ (4,988,000)		$ (598,000)		$ (22,260,000)		$ 1,069,000		$ (26,891,000)		$ 1,556,000		$ 3,494,000		$ 2,777,000		$ (26,777,000)		$ (19,064,000)
Basic net income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)		$ (0.45)		$ (0.05)		$ (1.99)		$ 0.10		$ (2.42)		$ 0.14		$ 0.32		$ 0.25		$ (2.39)		$ (1.71)
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)		11,174		11,203		11,201		11,195		11,127		11,120		11,089		11,089		11,192		11,120
Diluted net income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)		$ (0.45)		$ (0.05)		$ (1.99)		$ 0.10		$ (2.42)		$ 0.14		$ 0.32		$ 0.25		$ (2.39)		$ (1.71)
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)		11,173		11,203		11,201		11,195		11,127		11,120		11,089		11,090		11,192		11,120

[1] Represents the high and low sales prices of our common stock as reported by the Nasdaq Global Select Market.

[2] Operating income (loss) includes $3,347 of LIFO income related to the Company's tubular and pipe products segment as well as a $16,451 goodwill impairment charge and a $8,000 intangible asset impairment charge recorded in the second quarter related to the Company's tubular and pipe products segment and a $500 goodwill impairment charge recorded in the fourth quarter related to the specialty metals flat products segment.

[3] Operating income (loss) includes $365 of LIFO expense and a $23,836 goodwill impairment charge related to the Company's tubular and pipe products segment recorded in the fourth quarter of 2014.