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Long-Term Debt - Senior Secured Note - Additional Information (Detail)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2012
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2013
Kronos Worldwide, Inc.
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2012
Kronos Worldwide, Inc.
Senior Secured Notes
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2012
Kronos Worldwide, Inc.
Senior Secured Notes
EUR (€)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Redemption of debt         € 279.2us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfOtherLongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_KronosMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
Loss on prepayment of debt, net $ 8.9us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt $ 7.2us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt $ (2.3)us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_KronosMember		 $ 7.2us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vhi_KronosMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember