Organization and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
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	30.00%
Contran
Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Ownership percentage of parent company held by related party	93.00%