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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) a | Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2018 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 | $ 800,000 | $ 1,100,000
Percentage of likelihood for recognition of uncertain tax positions | 50.00% |  |
Recognition of receivables for recoveries | $ 0 | 0 |
Standard payment terms | less than one year |  |
Shipping and handling costs | $ 1,437,600,000 | 1,462,900,000 | 1,210,900,000
Advertising costs | 1,000,000 | 2,000,000 | 1,000,000
Research, development and certain sales technical support costs | 16,000,000 | 17,000,000 | 16,000,000
Chemicals |  |  |
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
Shipping and handling costs | 1,291,000,000.0 | 1,346,800,000 | 1,101,700,000
Shipping and Handling | Chemicals |  |  |
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
Shipping and handling costs | $ 112,000,000 | 111,000,000 | 105,000,000
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 | $ 6,300,000 | $ 7,400,000 | $ (5,800,000)
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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- Definition The aggregate costs related to goods produced and sold and services rendered by an entity during the reporting period. This excludes costs incurred during the reporting period related to financial services rendered and other revenue generating activities. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 924 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB Topic 11.L) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6472922&loc=d3e499488-122856 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.2(a),(d)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120395209&loc=SL114868664-224227 + Details
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