CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common stock	Capital in excess of par value	Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	Treasury stock
Balances at Sep. 30, 2013	$ 84,410	$ 73	$ 720,828	$ (635,972)	$ (519)
Balances (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2013		73,149
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock purchase plan	454	0	454
Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock purchase plan (in shares)		51
Issuance of restricted stock, net of cancellations	0	0
Issuance of restricted stock, net of cancellations (in shares)		150
Exercise of stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units	0	0
Exercise of stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units (in shares)		89
Stock-based compensation	1,016		1,016
Net 6 share increase in treasury stock held for deferred compensation plan obligations, at cost	0		116		(116)
Net loss attributable to Headwaters Incorporated	(11,746)			(11,746)
Balances at Mar. 31, 2014	$ 74,134	$ 73	$ 722,414	$ (647,718)	$ (635)
Balances (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2014		73,439