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Business segment information - Additional Information (Detail) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Mar. 31, 2013
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Kronos Worldwide, Inc. [Member] |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |
Direct controlling interest in subsidiary | 50.00%
Indirect controlling interest in subsidiary | 30.00%
Total controlling interest | 80.00%
Kronos Worldwide, Inc. [Member] | Contran [Member] |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |
Common stock pledged as collateral | 12.0
NL [Member] |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |
Total controlling interest | 83.00%

X
- Definition The parent entity's interest in net assets of the subsidiary, expressed as a percentage. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Common Stock Shares Pledged As Collateral + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vhi_CommonStockSharesPledgedAsCollateral
Namespace Prefix: | vhi_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Controlling interest in subsidiary held directly by parent. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vhi_DirectControllingInterestInSubsidiary
Namespace Prefix: | vhi_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Controlling interest in subsidiary held indirectly through controlled subsidiary of parent. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vhi_IndirectControllingInterestInSubsidiary
Namespace Prefix: | vhi_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant