EARNINGS PER SHARE (DETAIL) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Earnings Per Share Abstract
NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO OWENS CORNING	$ (56)	$ 44	$ 39	$ (46)	$ 50	$ 124	$ 78	$ 24	$ (19)	$ 276	$ 933
Weighted Average Common Shares, Basic									119.4	122.5	125.6
Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Nonvested Shares With Forfeitable Dividends									0	0.7	0.8
Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Call Options And Warrants									0	0.3	0.2
Earnings Per Share Basic	$ (0.47)	$ 0.37	$ 0.32	$ (0.38)	$ 0.41	$ 1.02	$ 0.63	$ 0.19	$ (0.16)	$ 2.25	$ 7.43
Earnings Per Share Diluted	$ (0.47)	$ 0.37	$ 0.32	$ (0.38)	$ 0.41	$ 1.01	$ 0.62	$ 0.19	$ (0.16)	$ 2.23	$ 7.37
Repurchase Program 2012 [Member]
Equity Class Of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased	10								10
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased	10								10
Combined Repurchase Programs [Member]
Equity Class Of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Acquired During Period									3.7
Stock Options Member
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount									0.6	0.8	2.4
Series A Warrants [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount									17.5	17.5	17.5
Series B Warrants [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount									7.8	7.8	7.8
Performance Stock Units (PSUs) [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount									0.2		0.2
Restricted Stock Member
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount									0.5