Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Net sales	$ 811,311	$ 743,401	$ 2,455,015	$ 2,278,005
Cost of sales	576,308	526,795	1,745,283	1,618,114
Gross profit	235,003	216,606	709,732	659,891
Selling and administrative expenses	142,666	134,678	421,812	392,779
Operating income	92,337	81,928	287,920	267,112
Interest and other non-operating expenses, net	4,931	4,009	14,449	11,608
Income before income taxes and equity earnings	87,406	77,919	273,471	255,504
Provision for income taxes	18,206	29,179	55,989	89,951
Equity earnings in unconsolidated investments, net	61	43	167	121
Net income	69,261	48,783	217,649	165,674
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	294
Net income attributable to Pool Corporation	$ 69,261	$ 48,783	$ 217,649	$ 165,968
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.71	$ 1.20	$ 5.39	$ 4.04
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.66	$ 1.16	$ 5.20	$ 3.89
Weighted average shares outstanding: [Abstract]
Basic (in shares)	40,422	40,659	40,416	41,065
Diluted (in shares)	41,797	42,207	41,831	42,691
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.45	$ 0.37	$ 1.27	$ 1.05