Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 123.5	$ 96.4
Restricted cash equivalents	6.8	5.3
Marketable securities	0.8	22.5
Accounts and other receivables, net	339.0	316.0
Inventories, net	624.3	464.5
Other current assets	28.6	20.7
Deferred income taxes	18.8	18.8
Total current assets	1,141.8	944.2
Other assets:
Marketable securities	338.9	354.1
Investment in affiliates	135.8	105.7
Note receivable from affiliate	11.2	11.2
Goodwill	400.4	400.1
Deferred income taxes	104.2	132.7
Other noncurrent assets	151.2	166.2
Total other assets	1,141.7	1,170.0
Property and equipment:
Land	53.8	53.0
Buildings	284.0	276.8
Equipment	1,293.2	1,188.3
Mining properties	67.6	63.5
Construction in progress	45.4	111.2
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Total	1,744.0	1,692.8
Less accumulated depreciation	1,003.7	969.0
Net property and equipment	740.3	723.8
Total assets	3,023.8	2,838.0
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	34.7	19.0
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	331.4	363.7
Income taxes	21.2	26.5
Deferred income taxes	6.4	6.4
Total current liabilities	393.7	415.6
Noncurrent liabilities:
Long-term debt	768.7	717.4
Deferred income taxes	455.2	457.2
Accrued pension costs	136.2	144.4
Accrued environmental remediation and related costs	43.1	34.6
Accrued postretirement benefits costs	20.8	20.4
Other liabilities	63.0	55.4
Total noncurrent liabilities	1,487.0	1,429.4
Equity: Valhi stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock	667.3	667.3
Common stock	3.6	3.6
Additional paid-in capital	78.9	78.6
Retained earnings (deficit)	88.8	(19.4)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(13.4)	(23.3)
Treasury stock	(49.6)	(49.6)
Total Valhi stockholders' equity	775.6	657.2
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries	367.5	335.8
Total equity	1,143.1	993.0
Total liabilities and equity	3,023.8	2,838.0
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 12 and 14)