BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Details) - Summary of Reconciliation of Segment Profit Before Taxes and Operations (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Home & Building Products:
Revenue	$ 505,039			$ 509,826			$ 1,466,184	$ 1,422,318
Segment operating profit:
Segment operating profit	21,814			20,362			58,468	44,807
Net interest expense	(11,541)			(13,137)			(37,003)	(39,125)
Unallocated amounts	(6,521)			(6,573)			(22,895)	(22,140)
Loss from debt extinguishment, net	0			0			(38,890)	0
Loss on pension settlement	0			0		(2,142)	0	(2,142)
Income (loss) before taxes	12,894			7,832			(13,115)	7,197
Segment adjusted EBITDA:
Segment adjusted EBITDA	49,605			46,785			139,686	135,119
Net interest expense	(11,541)			(13,137)			(37,003)	(39,125)
Segment depreciation and amortization	(16,691)			(17,639)			(49,723)	(52,467)
Unallocated amounts	(6,521)			(6,573)			(22,895)	(22,140)
Loss from debt extinguishment, net	0			0			(38,890)	0
Restructuring charges	(358)	(692)	(842)	(1,604)	(9,336)	(1,108)	(1,892)	(12,048)
Acquisition costs	(1,600)			0			(2,398)	0
Loss on pension settlement	0			0		(2,142)	0	(2,142)
Segment:
Segment depreciation and amortization	16,691			17,639			49,723	52,467
Consolidated depreciation and amortization	16,795			17,749			50,027	52,787
Segment:
Capital expenditures	20,014			14,891			54,859	45,886
Ames True Temper Inc [Member]
Home & Building Products:
Revenue	132,179			128,332			389,492	341,878
Segment adjusted EBITDA:
Restructuring charges							(8,000)
Clopay Building Products [Member]
Home & Building Products:
Revenue	121,814			112,285			334,494	314,651
Home And Building Products [Member]
Home & Building Products:
Revenue	253,993			240,617			723,986	656,529
Segment operating profit:
Segment operating profit	9,747			11,549			27,958	22,655
Segment adjusted EBITDA:
Segment adjusted EBITDA	19,596			21,478			55,787	56,272
Segment depreciation and amortization	(7,891)			(9,075)			(23,539)	(27,092)
Restructuring charges	(358)			(854)			(1,892)	(6,525)
Segment:
Segment depreciation and amortization	7,891			9,075			23,539	27,092
Segment:
Capital expenditures	8,194			6,534			23,384	22,352
Telephonics [Member]
Home & Building Products:
Revenue	102,446			129,997			302,656	347,678
Segment operating profit:
Segment operating profit	13,134			10,592			34,463	38,990
Segment adjusted EBITDA:
Segment adjusted EBITDA	15,087			13,146			40,018	45,015
Segment depreciation and amortization	(1,953)			(1,804)			(5,555)	(5,275)
Segment:
Segment depreciation and amortization	1,953			1,804			5,555	5,275
Segment:
Capital expenditures	6,082			2,401			14,969	5,853
Plastics [Member]
Home & Building Products:
Revenue	148,600			139,212			439,542	418,111
Segment operating profit:
Segment operating profit	8,075			5,401			23,252	8,959
Segment adjusted EBITDA:
Segment adjusted EBITDA	14,922			12,161			43,881	33,832
Segment depreciation and amortization	(6,847)			(6,760)			(20,629)	(20,100)
Segment:
Segment depreciation and amortization	6,847			6,760			20,629	20,100
Segment:
Capital expenditures	5,063			5,947			15,213	17,648
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment operating profit:
Segment operating profit	30,956			27,542			85,673	70,604
Segment:
Capital expenditures	19,339			14,882			53,566	45,853
Corporate Segment [Member]
Segment:
Consolidated depreciation and amortization	104			110			304	320
Segment:
Capital expenditures	$ 675			$ 9			$ 1,293	$ 33