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Valhi Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended |  |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Treasury stock, shares | 13,200,000 | 13,200,000 | 13,200,000 |  |
Percentage of shares held by majority-owned subsidiary that has to be considered for voting purpose | 100.00% |  |  |  |
Preferred stock, par value | $ 0.01 | $ 0.01 |  |  |
Director Plan |  |  |  |  |
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Number of shares authorized |  |  |  |  | 200,000
Shares awarded under new plan | 12,000 | 16,000 | 10,500 |  |
Common stock available for future grant | 138,500 |  |  |  |
Series A Preferred Stock |  |  |  |  |
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Preferred stock, shares outstanding | 5,000 |  |  |  |
Preferred stock liquidation preference, per share | $ 133,466.75 |  |  |  |
Preferred stock, aggregate liquidation preference | $ 667.3 |  |  |  |
Preferred stock, par value | $ 0.01 |  |  |  |
Non-cumulative dividend on preferred stock | 6.00% |  |  |  |
NL |  |  |  |  |
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Treasury stock, shares | 14,400,000 | 14,400,000 |  |  |
NL | Director Plan |  |  |  |  |
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Common stock available for future grant | 154,000 |  |  |  |
Kronos Worldwide, Inc. |  |  |  |  |
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Shares available for purchase | 1,950,000 |  |  |  |
Treasury stock, shares | 1,700,000 | 1,700,000 |  |  |
Kronos Worldwide, Inc. | Director Plan |  |  |  |  |
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Common stock available for future grant | 155,500 |  |  |  |
CompX | Director Plan |  |  |  |  |
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Common stock available for future grant | 166,000 |  |  |  |
Common stock |  |  |  |  |
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Shares available for purchase |  |  |  | 10,000,000 |

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