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Valhi stockholder's equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |  |  | 12 Months Ended |  |  |  | 12 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |  |
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May 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2012 Series A Preferred Stock [Member] | Dec. 31, 2011 Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan [Member] | Dec. 31, 2010 Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Director Plan [Member] | Feb. 28, 2012 Director Plan [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 NL [Member] | Dec. 31, 2011 NL [Member] | Dec. 31, 2010 NL [Member] Litigation Settlement [Member] | May 31, 2011 Kronos Worldwide, Inc. [Member] | Dec. 31, 2010 Kronos Worldwide, Inc. [Member] | Dec. 31, 2011 Kronos Worldwide, Inc. [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Kronos Worldwide, Inc. [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 CompX [Member] | Dec. 31, 2010 Common stock [Member]
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Common stock authorized increased number of shares | 500,000,000 | 500,000,000 | 500,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Reclassification adjustment from additional paid in capital to common stock through stock split | $ 2.4 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Common stock value par or stated value per share | $ 0.01 | $ 0.01 | $ 0.01 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Common stock split proportion | 3-for-1 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2-for-1 |  |  |  |  |
Number of shares authorized to be repurchased |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,000,000 |  | 10,000,000
Common stock held by subsidiary, shares |  | 13,200,000 | 13,200,000 | 12,200,000 |  |  |  |  |  | 14,400,000 | 14,400,000 |  |  | 364,000 | 1,700,000 | 1,700,000 |  |
Additional stock purchased |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,400,000 |  |  |
Aggregate purchase price of shares purchased by subsidiary |  |  | 8.7 | 2.0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2.7 | 12.6 |  |  |
Percentage of shares held by majority-owned subsidiary that has to be considered for voting purpose |  | 100.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Preferred stock, shares outstanding |  |  |  |  | 5,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Preferred stock liquidation preference, per share |  |  |  |  | $ 133,466.75 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Preferred stock, aggregate liquidation preference |  |  |  |  | 667.3 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Preferred stock, par value |  | $ 0.01 | $ 0.01 |  | $ 0.01 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Non-cumulative dividend on preferred stock |  |  |  |  | 6.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Outstanding stock options |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of shares authorized |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 200,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Shares awarded under new plan |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 6,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Common stock available for future grant |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 194,000 |  | 200,000 |  |  |  |  |  | 200,000 | 200,000 |
Equity adjustment attributable to Valhi stockholders |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 2.1 |  |  |  |  |  |

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