Investment in TiO2 Manufacturing Joint Venture and Other Assets - Components of Net Distributions from LPC (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary Of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Net distributions	$ 6.5	$ 10.6	$ 10.9
LPC
Summary Of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Distributions from LPC	48.2	48.0	70.7
Contributions to LPC	(41.7)	(37.4)	(59.8)
Net distributions	$ 6.5	$ 10.6	$ 10.9

This item represents disclosure of the amount of dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporation; these investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This element excludes distributions that constitute a return of investment, which are classified as investing activities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 13
-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SummaryOfInvestmentHoldingsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Cash outflows to equity method investees during the period. Such contributions to equity method investee will be classified in the cash flow statement as operating, investing or financing activities depending on the nature of cash flows.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vhi_EquityMethodInvestmentContributions
Namespace Prefix:	vhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents disclosure of the net amount of dividends or other distributions received from and (contributions to) unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporation; these investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This element excludes distributions that constitute a return of investment, which are classified as investing activities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vhi_EquityMethodInvestmentDistributionsFromContributionsToNet
Namespace Prefix:	vhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=vhi_LouisianaPigmentCompanyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: