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Employee benefit plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Mar. 31, 2013
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Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] |
Expected contribution | $ 28.5
OPEB [Member] |
Expected contribution | $ 1.6

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- Definition Defined Benefit Plan Estimated Employer Contributions In Current Fiscal Year + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vhi_DefinedBenefitPlanEstimatedEmployerContributionsInCurrentFiscalYear
Namespace Prefix: | vhi_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant