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Amount of gain (loss) from deconsolidation of subsidiary and derecognition of group of assets constituting transfer of business or nonprofit activity, excluding conveyance of oil and gas mineral rights and transfer of good or service in contract with customer.

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The aggregate amount of write-downs for impairments recognized during the period for long lived assets held for use (including those held for disposal by means other than sale).

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The amount recovered from insurance. These recoveries reduce costs and losses that are reported as a separate line item under operating expenses.

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Controlling interest in subsidiary held indirectly through controlled subsidiary of parent.

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Business and geographic segments - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2022 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) segment	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Insurance recoveries	$ 2.7	$ 2.8	$ 0.1	$ 1.6
Fixed asset impairment		16.4
Loss on deconsolidation of BWC		$ (2.0)
Number of operating segments \| segment		3
Non-U.S. subsidiaries
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net assets of non-U.S. subsidiaries		$ 699.0	$ 575.0
Kronos Worldwide, Inc. \| Valhi Incorporation
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Direct ownership percentage by parent		50.00%
Kronos Worldwide, Inc. \| NL
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Indirect controlling interest in subsidiary		31.00%
NL \| Valhi Incorporation
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Direct ownership percentage by parent		83.00%
LandWell \| Valhi Incorporation
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Direct ownership percentage by parent		27.00%
LandWell \| BMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Indirect controlling interest in subsidiary		50.00%
BMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Loss on deconsolidation of BWC		$ 2.0
Bad debt expense recognized		$ 1.3
BMI \| Valhi Incorporation
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Direct ownership percentage by parent		63.00%