Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Effect of Fourth Quarter Events [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 510,183	$ 743,401	$ 988,163	$ 546,441	$ 445,235	$ 691,429	$ 918,889	$ 515,250	$ 2,788,188	$ 2,570,803	$ 2,363,139
Gross profit	145,398	216,606	289,664	153,621	127,777	199,551	270,736	143,023	805,289	741,087	675,644
Net income	25,665	48,783	94,620	22,270	2,572	44,421	85,247	16,363	191,339	148,603	128,224
Net income attributable to Pool Corporation	$ 25,665	$ 48,783	$ 94,903	$ 22,281	$ 2,615	$ 44,534	$ 85,435	$ 16,371	$ 191,633	$ 148,955	$ 128,275
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.64	$ 1.20	$ 2.30	$ 0.54	$ 0.06	$ 1.06	$ 2.03	$ 0.39	$ 4.69	$ 3.56	$ 2.98
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.62	$ 1.16	$ 2.21	$ 0.52	$ 0.06	$ 1.03	$ 1.98	$ 0.38	$ 4.51	$ 3.47	$ 2.90