Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Apr. 29, 2022
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2022
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	VHI
Entity Registrant Name	VALHI, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000059255
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		28,277,093
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity File Number	1-5467
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	87-0110150
Entity Address, Address Line One	5430 LBJ Freeway
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 1700
Entity Address, City or Town	Dallas
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	75240-2620
City Area Code	972
Local Phone Number	233-1700
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false