Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected contribution	$ 27.4
OPEB
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected contribution	$ 1.5

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