Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions |
12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2016 |
Dec. 31, 2015 |
Dec. 31, 2014 |
| Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items] |
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| Capitalized interest costs |
$ 0.9
|
$ 1.1
|
$ 2.9
|
| Income taxes paid, net |
6.6
|
1.4
|
17.5
|
| Earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries subject to permanent reinvestment plans aggregated |
660.0
|
|
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| Shipping and handling costs |
90.0
|
87.0
|
95.0
|
| Research, development and certain sales technical support costs |
$ 13.0
|
16.0
|
19.0
|
| Louisiana Pigment Company, L.P. |
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| Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items] |
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| Owned manufacturing joint venture |
50.00%
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| Valhi Inc |
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| Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items] |
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| Ownership percentage in subsidiary |
50.00%
|
|
|
| Ownership percentage in company |
83.00%
|
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| Income taxes paid, net |
$ 0.8
|
|
$ 8.2
|
| Income tax refunds, net |
|
$ 3.5
|
|
| NL Industries Inc. |
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| Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items] |
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| Ownership percentage |
30.00%
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| Contran |
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| Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items] |
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| Ownership percentage of parent company held by related party |
93.00%
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| Controlling interest description |
Consequently, Ms. Simmons and Ms. Connelly may be deemed to control Contran, Valhi, NL and us.
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