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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) a	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 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	$ 800,000	$ 1,100,000	$ 2,200,000
Percentage of likelihood for recognition of uncertain tax positions	50.00%
Recognition of receivables for recoveries	$ 0
Accrued insurance recoveries	$ 0	15,000,000
Standard payment terms	less than one year
Shipping and handling costs	$ 1,462,900,000	1,210,900,000	1,266,500,000
Advertising costs	2,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000
Research, development and certain sales technical support costs	17,000,000	16,000,000	19,000,000
Chemicals
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Shipping and handling costs	1,346,800,000	1,101,700,000	1,161,200,000
Shipping and Handling | Chemicals
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Shipping and handling costs	$ 111,000,000	105,000,000	101,000,000
Residential/Planned Community
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Area of real estate property | a	2,100
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	$ 7,400,000	$ (5,800,000)	$ 38,900,000
Contran | Valhi Incorporation
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Parent company ownership interest	92.00%

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