Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments - Financial Instruments not Carried at Fair Value (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Kronos Worldwide, Inc. | 3.75% Senior Secured Notes due September 15, 2025 | Kronos International, Inc
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long term debt, carrying amount	$ 443.2	$ 452.4
Long term debt, fair value	428.6	412.9
VALHI, INC. | Contran Credit Facility
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long term debt, carrying amount	313.0	314.3
Long term debt, fair value	313.0	314.3
Tremont | Promissory Note
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long term debt, carrying amount	8.7	9.4
Long term debt, fair value	8.7	9.4
BMI | Bank note payable | Meadows Term Loan
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long term debt, carrying amount	18.0	18.0
Long term debt, fair value	18.8	18.8
LandWell | Unsecured Debt
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long term debt, carrying amount	2.1	2.1
Long term debt, fair value	2.1	2.1
Carrying Amount
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents	487.6	523.7
Deferred payment obligation	9.7	9.6
Fair Value
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents	487.6	523.7
Deferred payment obligation	$ 9.7	$ 9.6