CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenue:
Light building products									$ 472,434	$ 394,324	$ 339,632
Heavy construction materials									309,337	293,000	281,672
Energy technology									9,676	15,252	11,483
Total revenue	245,921	223,399	156,512	165,615	214,985	197,030	140,988	149,573	791,447	702,576	632,787
Cost of revenue:
Light building products									336,283	283,128	241,669
Heavy construction materials									224,888	219,996	210,158
Energy technology									4,583	6,970	5,893
Total cost of revenue									565,754	510,094	457,720
Gross profit	78,577	67,672	38,551	40,893	64,321	58,505	32,411	37,245	225,693	192,482	175,067
Operating expenses:
Amortization									21,319	20,230	20,675
Selling, general and administrative									137,650	117,841	119,989
Total operating expenses									158,969	138,071	140,664
Operating income (loss)									66,724	54,411	34,403
Other income (expense):
Net interest expense									(46,329)	(42,566)	(52,678)
Other, net									(348)	364	(7,493)
Total other income (expense), net									(46,677)	(42,202)	(60,171)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes									20,047	12,209	(25,768)
Income tax provision									(3,574)	(3,924)	(661)
Income (loss) from continuing operations									16,473	8,285	(26,429)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes									(415)	(1,148)	(35,819)
Net income (loss)	16,681	10,893	(10,082)	(1,434)	10,253	11,016	(8,260)	(5,872)	16,058	7,137	(62,248)
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest									(774)	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Headwaters Incorporated									$ 15,284	$ 7,137	$ (62,248)
Basic and diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Headwaters Incorporated:
From continuing operations (in dollars per share)									$ 0.21	$ 0.12	$ (0.43)
From discontinued operations (in dollars per share)									$ (0.01)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.59)
Earnings (loss) per share, basic and diluted, total (in dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.14	$ (0.14)	$ (0.02)	$ 0.14	$ 0.15	$ (0.11)	$ (0.09)	$ 0.20	$ 0.10	$ (1.02)