SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details)
$ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Oct. 01, 2016
USD ($)
Jul. 02, 2016
USD ($)
Apr. 02, 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Oct. 03, 2015
USD ($)
Jul. 04, 2015
USD ($)
Apr. 04, 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
segment
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
segment
Dec. 31, 2014
USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Loss on modification or extinguishment of debt $ (7,100) $ (2,300)   $ (2,400)         $ (11,747) $ 0 $ (21,364)
Number of Reportable Segments | segment                 2 2  
Net sales 462,293 $ 530,392 $ 510,545 $ 408,614 $ 430,460 $ 530,884 $ 502,334 $ 376,048 $ 1,911,844 $ 1,839,726 1,566,643
Operating earnings (loss)                 168,496 122,532 61,498
Interest expense, net                 72,682 74,819 71,186
Depreciation and amortization expense                 56,403 58,400 48,463
Income tax expense (benefit)                 (51,995) (688) (105)
Capital expenditures                 36,001 33,860 23,661
Total assets 1,257,741       1,266,572       $ 1,257,741 1,266,572  
Percentage of other subsidiaries sales to total sales (in hundredths, less than 1%)                 1.00%    
Siding, Fencing and Stone [Member]                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Net sales                 $ 886,851 840,118 801,601
Operating earnings (loss)                 157,058 134,654 113,089
Interest expense, net                 (16) (22) 5
Depreciation and amortization expense                 25,723 26,539 25,255
Capital expenditures                 16,472 11,816 12,581
Total assets 691,930       664,053       691,930 664,053  
Windows and Doors [Member]                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Net sales                 1,024,993 999,608 765,042
Operating earnings (loss)                 43,579 18,195 (27,660)
Interest expense, net                 (12) (17) (48)
Depreciation and amortization expense                 30,516 31,549 22,510
Capital expenditures                 17,780 19,196 10,920
Total assets 509,055       498,994       509,055 498,994  
Unallocated [Member]                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Operating earnings (loss)                 (32,141) (30,317) (23,931)
Interest expense, net                 72,710 74,858 71,229
Depreciation and amortization expense                 164 312 698
Income tax expense (benefit)                 (51,995) (688) (105)
Capital expenditures                 1,749 2,848 $ 160
Total assets $ 56,756       $ 103,525       $ 56,756 $ 103,525  
CANADA                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Canadian sales, net                 198.7