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Other Assets (Additional Information) (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2014
Other Assets [Line Items]      
Amortization expense on intangible assets, included in other assets $ 9,484wlk_AmortizationOfOtherAssets $ 8,276wlk_AmortizationOfOtherAssets  
Olefins      
Other Assets [Line Items]      
Goodwill 29,990us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= wlk_OlefinsMember		   29,990us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= wlk_OlefinsMember
Vinyls      
Other Assets [Line Items]      
Goodwill $ 32,026us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= wlk_VinylsMember		   $ 32,026us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= wlk_VinylsMember