DIVESTITURES	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Business Divestitures [Abstract]
Business Divestitures, Disclosure [Text Block]	10. DIVESTITURES On May 18, 2011, the Company sold its Composites glass reinforcements facility in Capivari, Brazil to Chongqing Polycomp International Company ("CPIC"), an unrelated third party. At closing, the Company received $55 million in cash and an additional $6 million was placed into escrow to satisfy any potential adjustments or claims. The sale resulted in a $16 million gain that is recorded in other (income) expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. On December 31, 2010, the Company sold its United States Masonry Products business ("Masonry Products") to Boral Industries Ltd, an unrelated third party. At closing, the Company received $45 million and will receive an additional $45 million in 2014. The $45 million to be received in 2014 was recorded at its net present value of $40 million in noncurrent assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additionally, the Company could receive contingent proceeds in 2014 based on 2013 financial performance of the former Masonry Products business. The Company will maintain an interest in the former Masonry Products business until the second payment is received. Masonry Products was a component of the Company's Building Materials segment. In May 2009, the Company completed the sale of the assets and liabilities at certain European distribution centers within the Composites segment for cash proceeds of $9 million. These facilities were sold as a result of the integration of the Saint-Gobain's reinforcement and composite fabrics business in 2007 (“2007 Acquisition”).

DIVESTITURES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Business Divestitures, Disclosure [Text Block]

10. DIVESTITURES

On May 18, 2011, the Company sold its Composites glass reinforcements facility in Capivari, Brazil to Chongqing Polycomp International Company ("CPIC"), an unrelated third party. At closing, the Company received $55 million in cash and an additional $6 million was placed into escrow to satisfy any potential adjustments or claims. The sale resulted in a $16 million gain that is recorded in other (income) expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

On December 31, 2010, the Company sold its United States Masonry Products business ("Masonry Products") to Boral Industries Ltd, an unrelated third party. At closing, the Company received $45 million and will receive an additional $45 million in 2014. The $45 million to be received in 2014 was recorded at its net present value of $40 million in noncurrent assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additionally, the Company could receive contingent proceeds in 2014 based on 2013 financial performance of the former Masonry Products business. The Company will maintain an interest in the former Masonry Products business until the second payment is received. Masonry Products was a component of the Company's Building Materials segment.

In May 2009, the Company completed the sale of the assets and liabilities at certain European distribution centers within the Composites segment for cash proceeds of $9 million. These facilities were sold as a result of the integration of the Saint-Gobain's reinforcement and composite fabrics business in 2007 (“2007 Acquisition”).