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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) a | Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
Percentage owned manufacturing joint venture under equity method investment | 50.00% |  |
Capitalized interest costs on property and equipment | $ 1,100,000 | $ 2,200,000 | $ 1,000,000
Percentage of likelihood for recognition of uncertain tax positions | 50.00% |  |
Recognition of receivables for recoveries |  | 0 |
Accrued insurance recoveries | $ 15,000,000 |  |
Standard payment terms | less than one year |  |
Shipping and handling costs | $ 1,210,900,000 | 1,266,500,000 | 1,211,500,000
Advertising costs | 1,000,000 | 1,000,000 | 1,000,000
Research, development and certain sales technical support costs | 16,000,000 | 19,000,000 | 13,000,000
Chemicals |  |  |
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
Shipping and handling costs | 1,101,700,000 | 1,161,200,000 | 1,101,500,000
Shipping and Handling | Chemicals |  |  |
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
Shipping and handling costs | $ 105,000,000 | 101,000,000 | 90,000,000
Residential/Planned Community |  |  |
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
Area of real estate property | a | 2,100 |  |
Percentage of variable consideration | 1.00% |  |
Commercial and Light Industrial Use |  |  |
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
Area of real estate property | a | 400 |  |
Residential Housing Unit |  |  |
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
Percentage of sales price | 3.50% |  |
Contran |  |  |
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
Net cash payments received from/paid to tax group parent | $ (5,800,000) | $ 38,900,000 | $ 10,700,000
Contran | Valhi Incorporation |  |  |
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
Parent company ownership interest | 92.00% |  |

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- Definition Amount charged to advertising expense for the period, which are expenses incurred with the objective of increasing revenue for a specified brand, product or product line. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 720 -SubTopic 35 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6420018&loc=d3e36677-107848 + Details
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