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Summary of significant accounting policies - Additional Information (Detail) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($) a | Jun. 30, 2022 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($) a | Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Capitalized interest costs on property and equipment |  |  | $ 1,900,000 | $ 1,700,000 | $ 1,400,000
Fixed asset impairment | $ 3,800,000 | $ 16,400,000 | $ 3,800,000 |  |
Percentage of likelihood for recognition of uncertain tax positions |  |  | 50.00% |  |
Recognition of receivables for recoveries | $ 0 |  | $ 0 | 0 |
Standard payment terms |  |  | less than one year |  |
Shipping and handling costs |  |  | $ 1,676,500,000 | 1,732,100,000 | 1,716,200,000
Advertising costs |  |  | 2,000,000 | 2,000,000 | 1,000,000
Research, development and certain sales technical support costs |  |  | $ 18,000,000 | 16,000,000 | 17,000,000
Louisiana Pigment Company |  |  |  |  |
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Percentage owned manufacturing joint venture under equity method investment | 50.00% |  | 50.00% |  |
Revision of Prior Period, Reclassification, Adjustment |  |  |  |  |
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Period Increase (Decrease) |  |  | $ 19,100,000 |  |
Revision of Prior Period, Reclassification, Adjustment | Land |  |  |  |  |
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Period Increase (Decrease) |  |  | (5,300,000) |  |
Revision of Prior Period, Reclassification, Adjustment | Equipment |  |  |  |  |
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Period Increase (Decrease) |  |  | (45,800,000) |  |
Revision of Prior Period, Reclassification, Adjustment | Building |  |  |  |  |
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Period Increase (Decrease) |  |  | 5,100,000 |  |
Revision of Prior Period, Reclassification, Adjustment | Mining properties |  |  |  |  |
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Period Increase (Decrease) |  |  | 65,100,000 |  |
Chemicals |  |  |  |  |
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Shipping and handling costs |  |  | $ 1,502,700,000 | 1,540,200,000 | 1,494,500,000
Chemicals | Louisiana Pigment Company |  |  |  |  |
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Percentage owned manufacturing joint venture under equity method investment | 50.00% |  | 50.00% |  |
Shipping and Handling | Chemicals |  |  |  |  |
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Shipping and handling costs |  |  | $ 101,000,000 | 122,000,000 | 132,000,000
Residential/Planned Community |  |  |  |  |
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Area of real estate property | a | 2,100 |  | 2,100 |  |
Residential Housing Unit | Minimum |  |  |  |  |
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of sales price |  |  | 2.50% |  |
Residential Housing Unit | Maximum |  |  |  |  |
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 |  |  | $ 14,200,000 | $ 17,500,000 | $ 25,500,000
Contran | Valhi Incorporation |  |  |  |  |
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Parent company ownership interest | 91.00% |  | 91.00% |  |

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