Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Aug. 02, 2019
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	VHI
Entity Registrant Name	VALHI INC /DE/
Entity Central Index Key	0000059255
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		339,235,449
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity File Number	1-5467
Entity Tax Identification Number	870110150
Entity Address, Address Line One	5430 LBJ Freeway
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 1700
Entity Address, City or Town	Dallas
Entity Address, State or Province	Texas
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	75240-2620
City Area Code	972
Local Phone Number	233-1700