Employee benefit plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Expected contribution	$ 28.5
OPEB [Member]
Expected contribution	$ 1.6

Defined Benefit Plan Estimated Employer Contributions In Current Fiscal Year

No definition available.

Name:	vhi_DefinedBenefitPlanEstimatedEmployerContributionsInCurrentFiscalYear
Namespace Prefix:	vhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant