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Commitments and Contingencies - Changes in Accrued Environmental Remediation and Related Costs (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Environmental Remediation Obligations [Abstract]
Balance at the beginning of the year	$ 122.7us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies	$ 50.2us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies	$ 43.2us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies
Additions charged to expense, net	6.6vhi_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesProvisionForNewLossesAndIncreasesForRevisionInEstimatesChargedToExpense	69.0vhi_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesProvisionForNewLossesAndIncreasesForRevisionInEstimatesChargedToExpense	15.0vhi_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesProvisionForNewLossesAndIncreasesForRevisionInEstimatesChargedToExpense
Acquired		7.0vhi_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesProvisionForNewLossesAndIncreasesForRevisionInEstimatesAndIncreaseDecreaseForCurrencyTranslationNotChargedToExpense
Payments, net	(13.0)us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesPayments	(3.4)us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesPayments	(8.1)us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesPayments
Changes in currency exchange rates and other	2.2vhi_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesIncreaseDecreaseForCurrencyTranslationAndOther	(0.1)vhi_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesIncreaseDecreaseForCurrencyTranslationAndOther	0.1vhi_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesIncreaseDecreaseForCurrencyTranslationAndOther
Balance at the end of the year	118.5us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies	122.7us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies	50.2us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies
Amounts recognized in our Consolidated Balance Sheet at the end of the year:
Current liabilities	10.2us-gaap_AccruedEnvironmentalLossContingenciesCurrent	9.1us-gaap_AccruedEnvironmentalLossContingenciesCurrent	7.6us-gaap_AccruedEnvironmentalLossContingenciesCurrent
Noncurrent liabilities	108.3us-gaap_AccruedEnvironmentalLossContingenciesNoncurrent	113.6us-gaap_AccruedEnvironmentalLossContingenciesNoncurrent	42.6us-gaap_AccruedEnvironmentalLossContingenciesNoncurrent
Total	$ 118.5us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies	$ 122.7us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies	$ 50.2us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies

X

- Definition

Total costs accrued as of the balance sheet date for environmental loss contingencies.

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The aggregate amount disbursed during the reporting period to settle environmental loss contingencies.

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Carrying value of the obligation (known or estimated) arising from requirements to perform activities to remediate one or more sites, payable in twelve months or in the next operating cycle if longer.

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The amount added to the accrual and not charged to expense for newly incurred environmental loss contingencies and revisions to existing environmental loss contingencies and the Increase or decrease in the accrual for environmental loss contingencies during the reporting period related to currency translations.. These additions include remediation expense and interest accretion. These additions do not relate to changes in the environmental accrual related to a business acquisition or divestiture, or revisions in previously existing estimates charged to expense.

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