Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) - USD ($)
shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2018
Mar. 31, 2017
Net sales $ 585,900 $ 546,441
Cost of sales 419,827 392,820
Gross profit 166,073 153,621
Selling and administrative expenses 132,532 122,623
Operating income 33,541 30,998
Interest and other non-operating expenses, net 3,527 3,647
Income before income taxes and equity earnings 30,014 27,351
(Benefit) provision for income taxes (1,279) 5,119
Equity earnings in unconsolidated investments, net 46 38
Net income 31,339 22,270
Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest 0 11
Net income attributable to Pool Corporation $ 31,339 $ 22,281
Earnings per share:    
Basic (in dollars per share) $ 0.78 $ 0.54
Diluted (in dollars per share) $ 0.75 $ 0.52
Weighted average shares outstanding: [Abstract]    
Basic (in shares) 40,370 41,192
Diluted (in shares) 41,862 42,877
Cash dividends declared per common share $ 0.37 $ 0.31