Investment in Affiliates and Other Assets - Summary of Financial Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013 LPC	Dec. 31, 2012 LPC	Dec. 31, 2011 LPC	Dec. 31, 2013 LPC Kronos Worldwide, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2012 LPC Kronos Worldwide, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2011 LPC Kronos Worldwide, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2013 LPC Tioxide	Dec. 31, 2012 LPC Tioxide	Dec. 31, 2011 LPC Tioxide	Sep. 30, 2013 Basic Management Inc And Landwell	Sep. 30, 2012 Basic Management Inc And Landwell	Sep. 30, 2011 Basic Management Inc And Landwell
Financial Information [Line Items]
Current assets	$ 949.0				$ 1,363.4				$ 949.0	$ 1,363.4		$ 127.2	$ 139.8									$ 25.7
Prepaid costs and other																						11.6
Property and equipment, net	796.4				763.1				796.4	763.1	723.8	114.1	126.0									6.4
Investment in undeveloped land and water rights																						42.0
Land held for development	158.1								158.1													12.7
Total assets	2,967.2				3,170.5				2,967.2	3,170.5	2,838.0	241.3	265.8									98.4
Current liabilities	394.7				398.5				394.7	398.5												14.2
Long-term debt	741.8				880.5				741.8	880.5												14.3
Deferred income taxes	431.1				454.8				431.1	454.8												6.0
Other liabilities	110.2				78.3				110.2	78.3												3.4
Equity	601.3				733.6				601.3	733.6												60.5
Other liabilities, primarily current	51.3				42.8				51.3	42.8		33.9	43.2
Partners’ equity												207.4	222.6
Total liabilities and equity	2,967.2				3,170.5				2,967.2	3,170.5		241.3	265.8									98.4
Net sales	400.1	448.2	516.1	499.2	427.4	508.7	568.4	582.8	1,863.6	2,087.3	2,025.1	449.1	477.7	290.5	224.5	250.2	144.8	224.6	227.5	145.7	9.5	10.4	10.0
Cost of sales									1,729.4	1,512.1	1,278.4	448.7	477.3	290.1
General and administrative									375.1	273.3	268.9	0.4	0.4	0.4
Total costs and expenses									2,169.5	1,856.5	1,613.3	449.1	477.7	290.5
Net income (loss)	10.8	(40.9)	(48.6)	(48.2)	9.2	31.8	61.5	119.6	(126.9)	222.1	295.0										(3.7)	(1.4)	(2.1)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes									$ (217.9)	$ 301.4	$ 460.8										$ (3.9)	$ (1.2)	$ (2.7)