Amount of gain (loss) from the increase (decrease) in fair value of derivative and nonderivative instruments designated as fair value hedging instruments recognized in the income statement.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 25

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6886632&loc=d3e76258-113986

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnFairValueHedgingInstruments1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of the increase (decrease) in fair value of the hedged item in a fair value hedge recognized in the income statement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnHedgedItemInFairValueHedge1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35750535&loc=d3e13433-108611

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 5

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6945355&loc=d3e41228-113958

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 15

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35750535&loc=d3e13495-108611

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34720828&loc=SL20225862-175312

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 6

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6945355&loc=d3e41271-113958

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 20

-Section 55

-Paragraph 10

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36459792&loc=SL20226008-175313

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value, before effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes assets elected not to be offset. Excludes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34720828&loc=SL20225862-175312

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4B

-Subparagraph (a),(c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35706170&loc=SL5624163-113959

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 20

-Section 55

-Paragraph 7

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36459792&loc=SL20226000-175313

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value, before effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes liabilities elected not to be offset. Excludes liabilities not subject to a master netting arrangement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Nominal mass used to calculate payments on a derivative instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmountMass
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:massItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Net gain (loss) relating to components of the gain (loss) on the fair value hedging instrument excluded from the assessment of fair value hedge effectiveness. Recognized in earnings.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 25

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6886632&loc=d3e76258-113986

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossFromComponentsExcludedFromAssessmentOfFairValueHedgeEffectivenessNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of gain (loss)recognized in the income statement from the hedging ineffectiveness of a fair value hedge.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnFairValueHedgeIneffectivenessNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate net gain (loss) on price risk derivatives included in earnings in the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4A

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35706170&loc=SL5618551-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4C

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35706170&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 25

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6886632&loc=d3e76258-113986

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnPriceRiskDerivativesNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PriceRiskDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SummaryOfDerivativeInstrumentsImpactOnResultsOfOperationsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=stld_HedgedItemsFirmCommitmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=stld_HedgedItemsInventoryMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis=us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Gains or losses on derivative instruments, statement of income
Ineffectiveness - amount of gain (loss) recognized in income on related hedged items	$ 206,000	$ (206,000)
Gain (loss) excluded from hedge effectiveness testing	649,000	398,000
Designated as hedging instrument
Gains or losses on derivative instruments, statement of income
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income on related hedged items	(1,923,000)	(7,317,000)
Commodity contract \| Futures
Fair values of derivative instruments, balance sheet
Commodity futures, asset derivatives (in dollars)	5,312,000	1,010,000
Commodity futures, liability derivatives (in dollars)	1,539,000	4,487,000
Commodity contract \| Futures \| Other current assets
Fair values of derivative instruments, balance sheet
Fair value of derivatives including required margin deposits	7,600,000	3,600,000
Commodity contract \| Futures \| Designated as hedging instrument \| Cost of goods sold
Gains or losses on derivative instruments, statement of income
Amount of gain recognized in income on derivatives	2,778,000	7,509,000
Commodity contract \| Futures \| Designated as hedging instrument \| Other current assets
Fair values of derivative instruments, balance sheet
Commodity futures, asset derivatives (in dollars)	3,180,000	658,000
Commodity futures, liability derivatives (in dollars)	913,000	1,886,000
Commodity contract \| Futures \| Not designated as hedging instrument \| Cost of goods sold
Gains or losses on derivative instruments, statement of income
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income on derivatives	14,988,000	2,097,000	(892,000)
Commodity contract \| Futures \| Not designated as hedging instrument \| Other current assets
Fair values of derivative instruments, balance sheet
Commodity futures, asset derivatives (in dollars)	2,132,000	352,000
Commodity futures, liability derivatives (in dollars)	626,000	2,601,000
Commodity contract \| Futures \| Aluminum \| Long
Commodity contract commitments
Commodity contract (in MT/Lbs)	3,700
Commodity contract \| Futures \| Aluminum \| Short
Commodity contract commitments
Commodity contract (in MT/Lbs)	5,025
Commodity contract \| Futures \| Copper \| Long
Commodity contract commitments
Commodity contract (in MT/Lbs)	3,611
Commodity contract \| Futures \| Copper \| Short
Commodity contract commitments
Commodity contract (in MT/Lbs)	15,733
Commodity contract \| Futures \| Silver \| Short
Commodity contract commitments
Commodity contract (in MT/Lbs)	343
Firm commitments \| Designated as hedging instrument \| Cost of goods sold
Gains or losses on derivative instruments, statement of income
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income on related hedged items	1,488,000	120,000
Inventory \| Designated as hedging instrument \| Cost of goods sold
Gains or losses on derivative instruments, statement of income
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income on related hedged items	$ (3,411,000)	$ (7,437,000)