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Other income, net - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012
Disclosure Other Income Net Additional Information Detail [Line Items]
Litigation settlement gain	$ 14.7
Real estate-related litigation settlement	15.6
NL | Certain Real Property Litigation Settlement
Disclosure Other Income Net Additional Information Detail [Line Items]
Litigation settlement gain	14.7
Real estate-related litigation settlement	$ 15.6

X

- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in settlement of litigation and insurance claims. Excludes claims within an insurance entity's normal claims settlement process.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Cash received for the settlement of litigation during the current period.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 25

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3536-108585

+ Details

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

X

- Details

Name:	vhi_DisclosureOtherIncomeNetAdditionalInformationDetailLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	vhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration