Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained (Deficit) Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 279,746	$ 47	$ 243,180	$ 34,299	$ 2,220
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		47,367,000
Net income attributable to Pool Corporation	81,972	0	0	81,972	0
Foreign currency translation	(534)	0	0	0	(534)
Interest rate swaps, net of tax	(1,820)	0	0	0	(1,820)
Repurchases of common stock, net of retirements (in shares)		(2,165,000)
Repurchases of common stock, net of retirements	(81,761)	(2)	0	(81,759)	0
Share-based compensation	8,465	0	8,465	0	0
Issuance of shares under incentive stock plans (in shares)		1,102,000
Issuance of shares under incentive stock plans, including tax benefit	24,690	1	24,689	0	0
Declaration of cash dividends	(29,135)	0	0	(29,135)	0
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	281,623	46	276,334	5,377	(134)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012		46,304,000
Net income attributable to Pool Corporation	97,330	0	0	97,330	0
Foreign currency translation	2,013	0	0	0	2,013
Interest rate swaps, net of tax	1,033	0	0	0	1,033
Repurchases of common stock, net of retirements (in shares)		(1,810,000)
Repurchases of common stock, net of retirements	(96,179)	(2)	0	(96,177)	0
Share-based compensation	8,150	0	8,150	0	0
Issuance of shares under incentive stock plans (in shares)		885,000
Issuance of shares under incentive stock plans, including tax benefit	26,020	1	26,019	0	0
Declaration of cash dividends	(33,808)	0	0	(33,808)	0
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	286,182	45	310,503	(27,278)	2,912
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	45,378,785	45,379,000
Net income attributable to Pool Corporation	110,692	0	0	110,692	0
Foreign currency translation	(6,271)	0	0	0	(6,271)
Interest rate swaps, net of tax	(303)	0	0	0	(303)
Repurchases of common stock, net of retirements (in shares)		(2,421,000)
Repurchases of common stock, net of retirements	(136,466)	(2)	0	(136,464)	0
Share-based compensation	9,065	0	9,065	0	0
Issuance of shares under incentive stock plans (in shares)		553,000
Issuance of shares under incentive stock plans, including tax benefit	19,053	1	19,052	0	0
Declaration of cash dividends	(37,600)	0	0	(37,600)	0
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 244,352	$ 44	$ 338,620	$ (90,650)	$ (3,662)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014	43,511,093	43,511,000