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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized $ 3.0 $ 2.4 $ 2.6
Income tax payments to NL $ 4.3 $ 6.7 $ 4.6
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 | CompX International Inc      
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Percentage of ownership held by parent company 87.00%    
Valhi Inc | NL Industries      
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 92.00%