Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 2,246,562	$ 2,079,700	$ 1,953,974
Cost of sales	1,603,222	1,488,423	1,386,567
Gross profit	643,340	591,277	567,407
Selling and administrative expenses	454,470	425,791	415,592
Goodwill impairment	0	0	6,946
Operating income	188,870	165,486	144,869
Interest expense, net	7,485	6,748	6,469
Income before income taxes and equity earnings	181,385	158,738	138,400
Provision for income taxes	70,559	61,590	56,744
Equity earnings in unconsolidated investments	204	182	316
Net income	111,030	97,330	81,972
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(338)	0	0
Net income attributable to Pool Corporation	$ 110,692	$ 97,330	$ 81,972
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 2.50	$ 2.10	$ 1.75
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 2.44	$ 2.05	$ 1.71
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	44,281	46,282	46,937
Diluted (in shares)	45,441	47,530	48,058
Cash dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.85	$ 0.73	$ 0.62