Equity Textuals (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 09, 2012	Jan. 24, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 05, 2012
Equity Text [Abstract]
Common stock-based award activity (in shares)			265,995	452,062	248,017
Stock Authorized		420,000,000			210,000,000
Common Stock, Shares Authorized		400,000,000	400,000,000	400,000,000	200,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized		20,000,000	20,000,000	20,000,000	10,000,000
Statement [Line Items]
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	1,000,000		101,921,613	94,067,418		8,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued			13,877,552	13,877,552
Stock, Value, Issued	$ 34					$ 272
Proceeds Per Share Of Common Stock Issued		$ 23.04
Conversion Rate Of Convertible Preferred Stock		114.00%
Colfax Common stock conversion necessary on third anniversary for Colfax option Preferred stock conversion		133.00%
Charter Acquisition, Colfax to Charter share issue rate		0.1241
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares		20,735,493
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues			7,500,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues			331.9
Stock issuance costs	12.6	14.7	12.0
Maximum Amount Allowable To Pay Dividend			50
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest			(17.5)
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense			25.5
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition			1 year 11 months
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value			9.2	9.9	3.8
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Total Fair Value			2.5	1.9	1.1
Stock Option Plan 2008 Description			Under the 2008 Plan, the Company may grant options to purchase Common stock, with a maximum term of 10 years at a purchase price equal to the market value of the Company’s Common stock on the date of grant. In the case of an incentive stock option granted to a holder of 10% of the Company’s outstanding Common stock, the Company may grant options to purchase Common stock with a maximum term of 5 years, at a purchase price equal to 110% of the market value of the Company’s Common stock on the date of grant.
Mitchell P. Rales [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Common Stock, Shares, Issued		2,170,139
Percentage Of Share Held By Related Party		20.90%
Steven M. Rales [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Common Stock, Shares, Issued		2,170,139
Percentage Of Share Held By Related Party		20.90%
Markel Corporation [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Common Stock, Shares, Issued		1,085,070
Mitchell P Rales Steven M Rales and Markel Corporation [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Stock, Value, Issued		125
BDT Investor [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Common Stock, Shares, Issued		14,756,945
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued		13,877,552
Stock, Value, Issued		680
Proceeds Per Share Of Preferred Stock Issued		$ 24.50
Proceeds Per Share Of Common Stock Issued		$ 23.04
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage		6.00%
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share		$ 24.50
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Late Payment, Percentage		8.00%
Common Stock [Member]
Equity Text [Abstract]
Common stock-based award activity (in shares)			265,995	452,062	284,017
Statement [Line Items]
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan (in shares)			88,200
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues			7,500,000	49,917,786
Stock issuance costs			$ 12.0	$ 20.2	$ 0