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Valhi Stockholders' Equity - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items] |  |  |
Marketable securities, Balance at beginning of year | $ 2.8 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax | $ 2.1 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax | $ 6.4 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax
Marketable securities, Unrealized gain (loss) arising during the year | (1.0)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax |  | 4.1 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax
Reclassification adjustments for amounts included in realized gain (loss) | (0.2)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesNetOfTax | 0.7 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesNetOfTax | (8.4)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesNetOfTax
Marketable securities, Balance at end of year | 1.6 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax | 2.8 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax | 2.1 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax
Currency translation, Balance at beginning of year | 59.2 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax | 53.3 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax | 37.5 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
Currency translation, Arising during the year | (81.8)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax | 5.9 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax | 23.0 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax
Reclassification adjustments for amounts included in gain on disposal |  |  | (7.2)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIRealizedUponSaleOrLiquidationNetOfTax
Currency translation, Balance at end of year | (22.6)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax | 59.2 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax | 53.3 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
Balance at beginning of year | (8.0)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax | (42.0)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax | (23.3)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
Other comprehensive income (loss) | (140.6)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent | 34.0 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent | (18.7)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent
Balance at end of year | (148.6)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax | (8.0)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax | (42.0)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
Pension Plan Defined Benefit |  |  |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items] |  |  |
Balance at beginning of year | (76.5)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | (101.5)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | (72.6)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Amortization of prior service cost and net losses included in net periodic pension cost | 6.3 vhi_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAmortizationPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansNetPriorServiceCostAndNetGainLossRecognizedInNetPeriodicPensionCostNetOfTax / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 8.4 vhi_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAmortizationPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansNetPriorServiceCostAndNetGainLossRecognizedInNetPeriodicPensionCostNetOfTax / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 6.1 vhi_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAmortizationPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansNetPriorServiceCostAndNetGainLossRecognizedInNetPeriodicPensionCostNetOfTax / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Net actuarial gain (loss) arising during year | (61.7)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansNetUnamortizedGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 12.6 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansNetUnamortizedGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | (35.0)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansNetUnamortizedGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Plan curtailment | (0.1)vhi_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansForPlanCurtailmentAfterTax / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 4.0 vhi_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansForPlanCurtailmentAfterTax / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |
Balance at end of year | (132.0)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | (76.5)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | (101.5)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
OPEB |  |  |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items] |  |  |
Balance at beginning of year | 6.5 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 4.1 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 5.4 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Amortization of prior service cost and net losses included in net periodic pension cost | (1.3)vhi_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAmortizationPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansNetPriorServiceCostAndNetGainLossRecognizedInNetPeriodicPensionCostNetOfTax / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember | (1.4)vhi_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAmortizationPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansNetPriorServiceCostAndNetGainLossRecognizedInNetPeriodicPensionCostNetOfTax / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember | (1.0)vhi_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAmortizationPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansNetPriorServiceCostAndNetGainLossRecognizedInNetPeriodicPensionCostNetOfTax / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Net actuarial gain (loss) arising during year | (0.8)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansNetUnamortizedGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 1.3 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansNetUnamortizedGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember | (0.3)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansNetUnamortizedGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Plan amendment |  | 2.5 vhi_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansForPlanAmendmentAfterTax / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember |
Balance at end of year | $ 4.4 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember | $ 6.5 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember | $ 4.1 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember

X
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- Definition Accumulated adjustment, net of tax, that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into the reporting currency from the functional currency of the reporting entity, net of reclassification of realized foreign currency translation gains or losses. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 11 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36458714&loc=d3e637-108580 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 14 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36458714&loc=d3e681-108580 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 14A -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36458714&loc=SL7669686-108580 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 10A -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36458714&loc=SL7669646-108580 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 830 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 12 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6915805&loc=d3e32022-110900 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 830 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450520&loc=d3e32583-110901 + Details
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- Definition Accumulated change in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources, net of tax effect, at period end. Excludes Net Income (Loss), and accumulated changes in equity from transactions resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Includes foreign currency translation items, certain pension adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on certain investments in debt and equity securities, other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses related to factors other than credit losses on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities that an entity does not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell before recovery of the amortized cost basis, as well as changes in the fair value of derivatives related to the effective portion of a designated cash flow hedge. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 11 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36458714&loc=d3e637-108580 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 14 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36458714&loc=d3e681-108580 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 14A -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36458714&loc=SL7669686-108580 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 31 -Article 5 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 + Details
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- Definition Amount after tax, before reclassification adjustments of gain (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency transactions designated and effective as economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity and intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 11 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36458714&loc=d3e637-108580 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 830 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 12 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6915805&loc=d3e32022-110900 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 830 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450520&loc=d3e32583-110901 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 830 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 18 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6915805&loc=d3e32157-110900 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 830 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 20 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6915805&loc=d3e32211-110900 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 10A -Subparagraph (a-c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36458714&loc=SL7669646-108580 + Details
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