Represents equity in loss of subsidiaries.

No definition available.

Name:	bxc_EquityInLossOfSubsidiaries
Namespace Prefix:	bxc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	bxc_SupplementalStatementOfOperationsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	bxc_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate costs related to goods produced and sold and services rendered by an entity during the reporting period. This excludes costs incurred during the reporting period related to financial services rendered and other revenue generating activities.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 2

-Article 5

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.2(a),(d))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate revenue less cost of goods and services sold or operating expenses directly attributable to the revenue generation activity.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses from ongoing operations, after income or loss from equity method investments, but before income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 10

-Article 5

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of current income tax expense (benefit) and deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 08

-Paragraph h

-Article 4

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Income Tax Expense (or Benefit)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6515339

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (a),(b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32639-109319

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of the cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest expense.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450988&loc=d3e26243-108391

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.9)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 9

-Article 9

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InterestExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 20

-Article 9

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Other Comprehensive Income

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519514

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Net Income

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6518256

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 260

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.19)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.18)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 6

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358780&loc=d3e565-108580

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 19

-Article 5

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Generally recurring costs associated with normal operations except for the portion of these expenses which can be clearly related to production and included in cost of sales or services. Includes selling, general and administrative expense.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingExpenses
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The net amount of other income and expense amounts, the components of which are not separately disclosed on the income statement, resulting from ancillary business-related activities (that is, excluding major activities considered part of the normal operations of the business) also known as other nonoperating income (expense) recognized for the period. Such amounts may include: (a) dividends, (b) interest on securities, (c) net gains or losses on securities, (d) unusual costs, (e) gains or losses on foreign exchange transactions, and (f) miscellaneous other income and expense items.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 9

-Article 5

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.9)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

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

- Definition

Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

The aggregate total costs related to selling a firm's product and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses. Direct selling expenses (for example, credit, warranty, and advertising) are expenses that can be directly linked to the sale of specific products. Indirect selling expenses are expenses that cannot be directly linked to the sale of specific products, for example telephone expenses, Internet, and postal charges. General and administrative expenses include salaries of non-sales personnel, rent, utilities, communication, etc.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.4)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 4

-Article 5

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 330

-SubTopic 10

-Section 30

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6386349&loc=d3e3636-108311

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014	Jul. 05, 2014	Apr. 05, 2014	Jan. 04, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Jan. 03, 2015	Jan. 04, 2014	Dec. 29, 2012
Consolidating statement of operations
Net sales	$ 454,110us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 549,845us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 531,494us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 443,944us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 486,275us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 557,952us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 604,592us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 503,153us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 1,979,393us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 2,151,972us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 1,907,842us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Cost of sales									1,750,289us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold	1,923,489us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold	1,677,772us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold
Gross profit	49,815us-gaap_GrossProfit	64,580us-gaap_GrossProfit	62,033us-gaap_GrossProfit	52,676us-gaap_GrossProfit	54,348us-gaap_GrossProfit	62,492us-gaap_GrossProfit	55,185us-gaap_GrossProfit	56,458us-gaap_GrossProfit	229,104us-gaap_GrossProfit	228,483us-gaap_GrossProfit	230,070us-gaap_GrossProfit
Operating expenses (income):
Selling, general, and administrative									206,095	240,667	215,996
Depreciation and amortization									9,473	9,117	8,565
Total operating expenses (income)									215,568us-gaap_OperatingExpenses	249,784us-gaap_OperatingExpenses	224,561us-gaap_OperatingExpenses
Operating (loss) income									13,536us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	(21,301)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	5,509us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Non-operating expenses:
Interest expense									26,771us-gaap_InterestExpense	28,024us-gaap_InterestExpense	28,157us-gaap_InterestExpense
Other expense (income), net									325us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	306us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	(7)us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense
(Loss) income before provision for (benefit from) income taxes									(13,560)	(49,631)	(22,641)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes									312us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	(9,013)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	386us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Equity in (loss) income of subsidiaries									0bxc_EquityInLossOfSubsidiaries	0bxc_EquityInLossOfSubsidiaries	0bxc_EquityInLossOfSubsidiaries
Net income (loss)	(7,640)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	(860)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	3,236us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	(8,608)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	(2,457)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	(3,206)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	(22,306)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	(12,649)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	(13,872)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	(40,618)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	(23,027)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
BlueLinx Holdings
Consolidating statement of operations
Net sales									0	0	0
Cost of sales									0	0	0
Gross profit									0	0	0
Operating expenses (income):
Selling, general, and administrative									5,498	5,913	3,940
Depreciation and amortization									0	0	0
Total operating expenses (income)									5,498	5,913	3,940
Operating (loss) income									(5,498)	(5,913)	(3,940)
Non-operating expenses:
Interest expense									0	0	0
Other expense (income), net									0	0	0
(Loss) income before provision for (benefit from) income taxes									(5,498)	(5,913)	(3,940)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes									(160)	(157)	386
Equity in (loss) income of subsidiaries									(8,534)	(34,862)	(18,701)
Net income (loss)									(13,872)	(40,618)	(23,027)
BlueLinx Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidating statement of operations
Net sales									1,979,393	2,151,972	1,907,842
Cost of sales									1,750,289	1,923,489	1,677,772
Gross profit									229,104	228,483	230,070
Operating expenses (income):
Selling, general, and administrative									232,186	267,232	250,098
Depreciation and amortization									6,405	5,700	5,040
Total operating expenses (income)									238,591	272,932	255,138
Operating (loss) income									(9,487)	(44,449)	(25,068)
Non-operating expenses:
Interest expense									13,688	13,686	12,159
Other expense (income), net									337	318	10
(Loss) income before provision for (benefit from) income taxes									(23,512)	(58,453)	(37,237)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes									22	(9,248)	0
Equity in (loss) income of subsidiaries									0	0	0
Net income (loss)									(23,534)	(49,205)	(37,237)
LLC Subsidiaries
Consolidating statement of operations
Net sales									26,329	27,363	28,330
Cost of sales									0	0	0
Gross profit									26,329	27,363	28,330
Operating expenses (income):
Selling, general, and administrative									(5,260)	(5,115)	(9,712)
Depreciation and amortization									3,068	3,417	3,525
Total operating expenses (income)									(2,192)	(1,698)	(6,187)
Operating (loss) income									28,521	29,061	34,517
Non-operating expenses:
Interest expense									13,083	14,338	15,998
Other expense (income), net									(12)	(12)	(17)
(Loss) income before provision for (benefit from) income taxes									15,450	14,735	18,536
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes									450	392	0
Equity in (loss) income of subsidiaries									0	0	0
Net income (loss)									15,000	14,343	18,536
Eliminations
Consolidating statement of operations
Net sales									(26,329)	(27,363)	(28,330)
Cost of sales									0	0	0
Gross profit									(26,329)	(27,363)	(28,330)
Operating expenses (income):
Selling, general, and administrative									(26,329)	(27,363)	(28,330)
Depreciation and amortization									0	0	0
Total operating expenses (income)									(26,329)	(27,363)	(28,330)
Operating (loss) income									0	0	0
Non-operating expenses:
Interest expense									0	0	0
Other expense (income), net									0	0	0
(Loss) income before provision for (benefit from) income taxes									0	0	0
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes									0	0	0
Equity in (loss) income of subsidiaries									8,534	34,862	18,701
Net income (loss)									$ 8,534	$ 34,862	$ 18,701