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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Depreciation $ 3.5 $ 3.5 $ 3.2
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized 2.4 2.3 2.0
Income tax payments to NL $ 4.7 $ 4.4 $ 14.1
Stock options outstanding 0 0 0
Minimum | Building      
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives 15 years    
Minimum | Equipment and software      
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives 3 years    
Maximum | Building      
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives 40 years    
Maximum | Equipment and software      
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives 20 years    
NL Industries      
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Percentage of ownership held by parent company 87.00%    
NL Industries | Valhi Inc      
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Percentage of ownership held by parent company 83.00%    
Contran Corporation | Valhi Inc      
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Percentage of ownership held by parent company 93.00%