LONG-TERM DEBT LONG-TERM DEBT - current transactions (Details) - USD ($)
12 Months Ended
Sep. 19, 2014
Mar. 01, 2014
Feb. 16, 2014
Jan. 30, 2014
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Nov. 05, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Nov. 05, 2014
Nov. 01, 2013
Sep. 27, 2012
Feb. 11, 2011
Senior Secured Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility due 2020 [Member]                        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                        
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity             $ 350,000,000          
Six Point Five Senior Notes due 2022 [Member] [Member]                        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                        
Debt Instrument, Face Amount       $ 500,000,000                
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage       6.50%                
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount           $ 49,935,000   $ 57,538,000        
Senior Secured Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility due 2018 [Member]                        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                        
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity                 $ 300,000,000 $ 250,000,000    
Accordion Feature Line Increase, Amount                 $ 50,000,000      
Senior Secured Term Loan Facility due 2021 [Member] [Member]                        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                        
Debt Instrument, Face Amount       $ 430,000,000                
Six Point Five Senior Notes Due 2022 and Term Loan Facility Due 2021 [Member]                        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                        
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt       927,900,000                
Eight Point Two Five Senior Secured Notes due 2018 [Member]                        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                        
Debt Instrument, Face Amount                       $ 800,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage         8.25%             8.25%
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount       705,900,000                
Tender Offer Price, Per 1000       1,067.50                
Debt Instrument, Early Tender Payment Price, Per 1000       30.00                
Repayments of Long-term Debt       780,200,000                
Cumulative early tender premiums       47,600,000                
Redemption of debt   $ 50,100,000                    
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage   106.188%                    
Nine Point Three Seven Five Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2017 [Member]                        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                        
Debt Instrument, Face Amount                     $ 160,000,000  
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount       94,700,000                
Tender Offer Price, Per 1000       1,108.36                
Debt Instrument, Early Tender Payment Price, Per 1000       30.00                
Repayments of Long-term Debt       107,600,000                
Cumulative early tender premiums       $ 10,300,000                
Redemption of debt     $ 1,300,000                  
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage     110.179%                  
Six Point Five Senior Notes tack on due 2022 [Member]                        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                        
Debt Instrument, Face Amount $ 150,000,000                      
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 138,000,000                      
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount 10,100,000                      
Deferred Finance Costs, Gross 1,900,000                      
Six Point Five Senior Notes tack on due 2022 [Member] | cash used to fund acquisition [Member]                        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                        
Cash 3,100,000                      
Six Point Five Senior Notes tack on due 2022 [Member] | cash used to pay down ABL facility [Member]                        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                        
Long-term Line of Credit, Noncurrent $ 10,000,000                      
percent increase [Member] | Senior Secured Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility due 2018 [Member]                        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                        
Accordion Feature Line Increase, Percentage                 50.00%      
remaining available [Member] | Senior Secured Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility due 2020 [Member]                        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                        
Accordion Feature Line Increase, Amount             $ 50,000,000          
Ply Gem Industries [Member] | Senior Secured Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility due 2020 [Member]                        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                        
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity         $ 300,000,000              
Ply Gem Industries [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Senior Secured Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility due 2020 [Member]                        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                        
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate         2.00%              
Ply Gem Industries [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Senior Secured Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility due 2020 [Member]                        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                        
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate         1.25%