Organization and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Valhi Inc
Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Ownership percentage in subsidiary	50.00%
Ownership percentage in company	83.00%
NL Industries Inc
Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Ownership percentage in subsidiary	30.00%
Contran
Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Ownership percentage in company	94.00%