Long-Term Debt - Long-Term Debt (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Long-term debt
Total debt	$ 821.1	$ 910.1
Less current maturities	30.8	29.6
Total long-term debt	790.3	880.5
Other Subsidiary Debt
Long-term debt
Other	12.3	9.2
Subsidiary Debt
Long-term debt
Total subsidiary debt	411.4	502.5
VALHI, INC.
Long-term debt
Total Valhi debt	409.7	407.6
VALHI, INC. \| Contran
Long-term debt
Debt instrument	159.7	157.6
VALHI, INC. \| Notes Payable, Other Payables \| Snake River
Long-term debt
Debt instrument	250.0	250.0
Kronos Worldwide, Inc.
Long-term debt
Debt instrument	98.6	384.5
Revolving European credit facility	26.1	13.2
Kronos Worldwide, Inc. \| Contran
Long-term debt
Promissory note	180.0
CompX \| Timet Finance Management Company
Long-term debt
Debt instrument	18.0	18.5
WCS
Long-term debt
Financing capital lease	69.2	69.9
WCS \| Promissory Notes
Long-term debt
Promissory note	$ 7.2	$ 7.2

Amount equal to the present value (the principal) at the beginning of the lease term of minimum lease payments during the lease term (excluding that portion of the payments representing executory costs such as insurance, maintenance, and taxes to be paid by the lessor, together with any profit thereon) net of payments or other amounts applied to the principal through the balance sheet date.

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Amount borrowed under the credit facility as of the balance sheet date.

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- Definition

Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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- Definition

Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of all long-term debt, which is debt initially having maturities due after one year from the balance sheet date or beyond the operating cycle, if longer, but excluding the portions thereof scheduled to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer plus capital lease obligations due to be paid more than one year after the balance sheet date.

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-Publisher FASB

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 6

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Obligation related to long-term debt (excluding convertible debt) and capital leases, the portion which is due in one year or less in the future.

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Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of all notes and loans payable (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer).

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Including both current and noncurrent portions, carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of other forms of debt not elsewhere specified in the taxonomy with initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

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- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date, including the current and noncurrent portions, of collateralized debt obligations (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer). Such obligations include mortgage loans, chattel loans, and any other borrowings secured by assets of the borrower.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of uncollateralized debt obligations (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer).

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- Definition

Long Term Debt And Capital Lease Obligations Current And Noncurrent

+ References

No definition available.

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