Organization and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Contran Corporation
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Voting agreement expiration date	2017-02
Common stock voting rights	Under a voting agreement entered into by all of the voting stockholders of Contran, effective in February 2014 and as amended, the size of the board of directors of Contran was fixed at five members, Ms. Lisa Simmons, Ms. Connelly and Ms. Annette Simmons (and in the event of their death, their heirs) each has the right to designate one of the five members of the Contran board and the remaining two members of the Contran board must consist of members of Contran management. Ms. Lisa Simmons, Ms. Connelly, and Ms. Annette Simmons each serve as members of the Contran board. The voting agreement expires in February 2017
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%
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%