Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 103.2	$ 96.4
Restricted cash equivalents	5.5	5.3
Marketable securities	0.8	22.5
Accounts and other receivables, net	457.2	316.0
Inventories, net	661.2	464.5
Other current assets	16.4	20.7
Deferred income taxes	18.8	18.8
Total current assets	1,263.1	944.2
Other assets:
Marketable securities	329.9	354.1
Investment in affiliates	125.1	105.7
Note receivable from affiliate	11.2	11.2
Goodwill	400.2	400.1
Deferred income taxes	106.0	132.7
Other noncurrent assets	153.0	166.2
Total other assets	1,125.4	1,170.0
Property and equipment:
Land	51.9	53.0
Buildings	273.4	276.8
Equipment	1,206.3	1,188.3
Mining properties	56.5	63.5
Construction in progress	82.4	111.2
Gross property and equipment	1,670.5	1,692.8
Less accumulated depreciation	959.8	969.0
Net property and equipment	710.7	723.8
Total assets	3,099.2	2,838.0
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	34.9	19.0
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	414.5	363.7
Income taxes	25.3	26.5
Deferred income taxes	6.2	6.4
Total current liabilities	480.9	415.6
Noncurrent liabilities:
Long-term debt	828.9	717.4
Deferred income taxes	448.9	457.2
Accrued pension costs	133.5	144.4
Accrued environmental remediation and related costs	44.7	34.6
Accrued postretirement benefits costs	20.2	20.4
Other liabilities	56.8	55.4
Total noncurrent liabilities	1,533.0	1,429.4
Equity:
Preferred stock	667.3	667.3
Common stock	3.6	3.6
Additional paid-in capital	78.9	78.6
Retained earnings (deficit)	82.8	(19.4)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(50.8)	(23.3)
Treasury stock	(49.6)	(49.6)
Total Valhi stockholders' equity	732.2	657.2
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries	353.1	335.8
Total equity	1,085.3	993.0
Total liabilities and equity	3,099.2	2,838.0
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 12 and 14)