Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Net sales	$ 743,401	$ 691,429	$ 2,278,005	$ 2,125,568
Cost of sales	526,795	491,878	1,618,114	1,512,258
Gross profit	216,606	199,551	659,891	613,310
Selling and administrative expenses	134,678	125,385	392,779	367,194
Operating income	81,928	74,166	267,112	246,116
Interest and other non-operating expenses, net	4,009	2,989	11,608	9,954
Income before income taxes and equity earnings	77,919	71,177	255,504	236,162
Provision for income taxes	29,179	26,807	89,951	90,244
Equity earnings in unconsolidated investments, net	43	51	121	113
Net income	48,783	44,421	165,674	146,031
Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	0	113	294	309
Net income attributable to Pool Corporation	$ 48,783	$ 44,534	$ 165,968	$ 146,340
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.20	$ 1.06	$ 4.04	$ 3.48
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.16	$ 1.03	$ 3.89	$ 3.39
Weighted average shares outstanding: [Abstract]
Basic (in shares)	40,659	42,020	41,065	42,092
Diluted (in shares)	42,207	43,119	42,691	43,201
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.37	$ 0.31	$ 1.05	$ 0.88