CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - 6 months ended Mar. 31, 2016 - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Common stock	Capital in excess of par value	Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	Treasury stock	Total
Balances at Sep. 30, 2015	$ 74	$ 728,667	$ (489,889)	$ (1,001)	$ 237,851
Balances (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2015	73,896
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock purchase plan	$ 0	539			539
Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock purchase plan (in shares)	34
Issuance of restricted stock, net of cancellations	$ 0				0
Issuance of restricted stock, net of cancellations (in shares)	90
Exercise of stock appreciation rights	$ 0				0
Exercise of stock appreciation rights (in shares)	28
Tax shortfall from exercise of stock appreciation rights and vesting of restricted stock		(583)			(583)
Stock-based compensation		1,521			1,521
Net 11 share increase in treasury stock held for deferred compensation plan obligations, at cost		205		(205)	0
Net income attributable to Headwaters Incorporated			14,526		14,526
Balances at Mar. 31, 2016	$ 74	$ 730,349	$ (475,363)	$ (1,206)	$ 253,854
Balances (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2016	74,048