Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Total number of weeks in a fiscal year	52	52	52
Depreciation	$ 3.2	$ 3.1	$ 3.5
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	2.0	1.8	1.7
Income tax payments to NL	$ 14.1	$ 1.2	$ 3.7
Weighted average number of outstanding stock options excluded from calculation of diluted earnings per share	0	0	9,200
Building | Minimum
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	15 years
Building | Maximum
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	40 years
Equipment and software | Minimum
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	3 years
Equipment and software | Maximum
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	20 years
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
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Ownership of combine voting stock	5.00%
Contran Corporation | Valhi Inc
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership held by parent company	94.00%