BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Details) - Summary of Reconciliation of Segment Profit Before Taxes and Operations (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Home & Building Products:
Consolidated net sales	$ 507,687		$ 488,743		$ 961,145	$ 912,492
Segment operating profit:
Segment operating profit	19,673		10,102		36,654	24,445
Net interest expense	(12,361)		(12,909)		(25,462)	(25,988)
Unallocated amounts	(8,391)		(7,980)		(16,374)	(15,567)
Loss from debt extinguishment, net	(38,890)				(38,890)
Loss on pension settlement				2,142		(2,142)
Loss before taxes	(30,795)		(2,385)		(26,009)	(635)
Segment adjusted EBITDA:
Segment adjusted EBITDA	45,875		45,412		90,081	88,334
Net interest expense	(12,361)		(12,909)		(25,462)	(25,988)
Segment depreciation and amortization	(16,336)		(17,572)		(33,032)	(34,828)
Unallocated amounts	(8,391)		(7,980)		(16,374)	(15,567)
Loss from debt extinguishment, net	(38,890)				(38,890)
Restructuring charges	(692)	(842)	(9,336)	(1,108)	(1,534)	(10,444)
Acquisition costs					(798)
Loss on pension settlement				2,142		(2,142)
Loss before taxes	(30,795)		(2,385)		(26,009)	(635)
Segment:
Segment depreciation and amortization	16,336		17,572		33,032	34,828
Consolidated depreciation and amortization	16,439		17,681		33,232	35,038
Segment:
Capital expenditures	16,929		13,707		34,845	30,995
Ames True Temper Inc [Member]
Home & Building Products:
Home & Building Products	160,705		136,237		257,313	213,546
Segment adjusted EBITDA:
Restructuring charges					(8,000)
Clopay Building Products [Member]
Home & Building Products:
Home & Building Products	90,838		89,499		212,680	202,366
Home And Building Products [Member]
Home & Building Products:
Home & Building Products	251,543		225,736		469,993	415,912
Segment operating profit:
Segment operating profit	8,818		3,835		18,211	11,106
Segment adjusted EBITDA:
Segment adjusted EBITDA	17,124		17,555		36,191	34,794
Segment depreciation and amortization	(7,614)		(9,157)		(15,648)	(18,017)
Restructuring charges	(692)		(4,563)		(1,534)	(5,671)
Segment:
Segment depreciation and amortization	7,614		9,157		15,648	18,017
Segment:
Capital expenditures	6,722		6,711		15,190	15,804
Telephonics [Member]
Home & Building Products:
Consolidated net sales	104,185		121,631		200,210	217,681
Segment operating profit:
Segment operating profit	10,677		13,753		21,329	28,398
Segment adjusted EBITDA:
Segment adjusted EBITDA	12,535		15,505		24,931	31,869
Segment depreciation and amortization	(1,858)		(1,752)		(3,602)	(3,471)
Segment:
Segment depreciation and amortization	1,858		1,752		3,602	3,471
Segment:
Capital expenditures	5,520		2,630		8,887	3,452
Plastics [Member]
Home & Building Products:
Consolidated net sales	151,959		141,376		290,942	278,899
Segment operating profit:
Segment operating profit	9,352		916		15,177	3,558
Segment adjusted EBITDA:
Segment adjusted EBITDA	16,216		12,352		28,959	21,671
Segment depreciation and amortization	(6,864)		(6,663)		(13,782)	(13,340)
Segment:
Segment depreciation and amortization	6,864		6,663		13,782	13,340
Segment:
Capital expenditures	4,390		4,333		10,150	11,701
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment operating profit:
Segment operating profit	28,847		18,504		54,717	43,062
Segment:
Capital expenditures	16,632		13,674		34,227	30,957
Corporate Segment [Member]
Segment:
Consolidated depreciation and amortization	103		109		200	210
Segment:
Capital expenditures	$ 297		$ 33		$ 618	$ 38