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Financial instruments and fair value measurements - Financial Instruments not Carried at Fair Value (Detail) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2011 EUR (€) | Sep. 30, 2012 Kronos [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2011 Kronos [Member] USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2012 CompX [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2011 CompX [Member] USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2012 NL Industries Inc [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2011 NL Industries Inc [Member] USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2012 Fair value [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2011 Fair value [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2011 Fair value [Member] Kronos International [Member] USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2012 Fair value [Member] Kronos [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2011 Fair value [Member] Kronos [Member] USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2012 Fair value [Member] WCS [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2011 Fair value [Member] WCS [Member] USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2012 Fair value [Member] CompX [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2011 Fair value [Member] CompX [Member] USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2012 Fair value [Member] NL Industries Inc [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2011 Fair value [Member] NL Industries Inc [Member] USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2012 Carrying amount [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2011 Carrying amount [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2011 Carrying amount [Member] Kronos International [Member] USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2012 Carrying amount [Member] Kronos [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2011 Carrying amount [Member] Kronos [Member] USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2012 Carrying amount [Member] WCS [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2011 Carrying amount [Member] WCS [Member] USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2012 Carrying amount [Member] CompX [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2011 Carrying amount [Member] CompX [Member] USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2012 Carrying amount [Member] NL Industries Inc [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2011 Carrying amount [Member] NL Industries Inc [Member] USD ($)
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Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 141.8 | $ 109.3 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 141.8 | $ 109.3 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Promissory note |  |  |  |  |  | 20.5 | 22.2 | 5.1 | 9.0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 20.5 | 22.2 | 5.1 | 9.0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 20.5 | 22.2 | 5.1 | 9.0
Note receivable from Contran |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 11.2 | 11.2 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 11.2 | 11.2 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Publicly-traded fixed rate debt - KII Senior Secured Notes |  |  | 400.0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 362.6 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 360.6 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Term loan |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 400.4 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 389.3 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fixed rate loans |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 250.0 | 250.0 |  |  |  | 82.1 | 82.8 |  |  |  |  | 250.0 | 250.0 |  |  |  | 82.1 | 82.8 |  |  |  |
Variable rate bank credit facilities |  |  |  |  |  | 2.0 | 2.0 |  |  |  |  |  | 45.2 |  |  |  | 2.0 | 2.0 |  |  |  |  |  | 45.2 |  |  |  | 2.0 | 2.0 |  |
Noncontrolling interest | 367.5 | 335.8 |  | 277.5 | 240.2 | 11.4 | 11.0 | 78.6 | 84.6 |  |  |  | 339.1 | 409.4 |  |  | 24.8 | 23.9 | 95.1 | 107.3 |  |  |  | 277.5 | 240.2 |  |  | 11.4 | 11.0 | 78.6 | 84.6
Valhi stockholders' equity | $ 775.6 | $ 657.2 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 4,137.2 | $ 6,835.3 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 775.6 | $ 657.2 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

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- Definition The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the noncurrent portion of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 470 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 13 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6743817&loc=d3e1314-112600 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 470 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 14 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6743817&loc=d3e1336-112600 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 6 -Paragraph 9, 10, 11 -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 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Line-of-Credit Arrangement -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6517033 + Details
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- Definition Total of all stockholders' equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity which is directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (that is, noncontrolling interest, previously referred to as minority interest). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 27 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph A3 -Appendix A Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -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 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 20 -Article 7 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.31) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -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
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- Definition The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalent items which are restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. This element is for unclassified presentations; for classified presentations there is a separate and distinct element. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG) -Number AAG-BRD -Paragraph 80 -Subparagraph Exhibit 4-8, 3 -IssueDate 2006-05-01 -Chapter 4 -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 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of Notes with the highest claim on the assets of the issuer in case of bankruptcy or liquidation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer), excluding current portion. Senior note holders are paid off in full before any payments are made to junior note holders. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition Total of all stockholders' equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity which are attributable to the parent. The amount of the economic entity's stockholders' equity attributable to the parent excludes the amount of stockholders' equity which is allocable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (noncontrolling interest, minority interest). This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29-31) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29, 30, 31 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph A3 -Appendix A Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 4.E) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6228006&loc=d3e74512-122707 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 4 -Section E + Details
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