Organization and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Common Stock Dividend declared by directors	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ 0.125
NL
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership held by parent company	87.00%
NL | Valhi Inc
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	94.00%