v2.4.0.6

Business Interruption Insurance Recoveries (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2009
Repair Costs And Involuntary Asset Conversion [Member]
Insurance Recoveries [Line Items]
Insurance proceeds	$ 4,577
Business Interruption Costs [Member]
Insurance Recoveries [Line Items]
Insurance proceeds	$ 2,321

X

- Definition

The gross income statement effect of insurance proceeds for each material event or transaction (that would not reasonably be expected to recur in the foreseeable future) that possesses a high degree of abnormality and are clearly unrelated to, or incidentally related to, the ordinary and typical activities of the entity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6365513&loc=d3e15138-107781



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 30

-Paragraph 26

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)

-Number 30

-Paragraph 2, 3, 4, 5

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

-Number 01-10

-Paragraph 7

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemInsuranceProceeds
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

Name:	wlk_InsuranceRecoveriesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	wlk_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration