Percentage of voting equity interests acquired at the acquisition date in the business combination.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25497992&loc=d3e1392-128463

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- Definition

This item represents disclosure of the amount of dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporation; these investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This element excludes distributions that constitute a return of investment, which are classified as investing activities.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 13

-Article 5

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Balance Type:	debit
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- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
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- Definition

The parent entity's interest in net assets of the subsidiary, expressed as a percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Cash dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporations that are returns of capital. Excludes dividends or distributions from equity method investments classified as operating activities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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- Definition

Cumulative distributions from an equity method investee in excess of the entity's investment balance in the investee.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2013 WAVE	May 31, 2013 WAVE	Nov. 30, 2013 ClarkDietrich	Nov. 30, 2013 ClarkDietrich	Nov. 30, 2013 Joint Venture Transactions TWB	Jul. 31, 2013 Joint Venture Transactions TWB	Nov. 30, 2013 Joint Venture Transactions WAVE	Nov. 30, 2013 Joint Venture Transactions ArtiFlex	Nov. 30, 2013 Joint Venture Transactions ClarkDietrich	Nov. 30, 2013 Joint Venture Transactions Samuel Steel Pickling Company	Nov. 30, 2013 Joint Venture Transactions Seviacero	Nov. 30, 2013 Joint Venture Transactions Worthington Modern Steel Framing Manufacturing Co., Ltd.	Nov. 30, 2013 Joint Venture Transactions Worthington Specialty Processing	Oct. 18, 2013 Joint Venture Transactions Zhejiang Nisshin Worthington Precision Specialty Steel Co	Oct. 18, 2013 Joint Venture Transactions Zhejiang Nisshin Worthington Precision Specialty Steel Co Maximum
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of interest by unconsolidated affiliates									50.00%	50.00%	25.00%	31.25%	50.00%	40.00%	51.00%	10.00%	34.00%
Percentage of additional interest acquired by the company							10.00%	10.00%
Percent of controlling interest by the company							55.00%	55.00%
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates		$ 47,839,000
Cumulative distributions in excess of investment			61,107,000	63,187,000
Excess distributions from unconsolidated affiliates	$ 3,668,000	$ 9,223,000			$ 3,668,000	$ 9,223,000