Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Loss Contingencies by Contingency [Table Text Block]

LP maintains reserves for various contingent liabilities as follows:

	December 31,
Dollar amounts in millions	2013			2012
Environmental reserves	$	14.9		$	14.1
Hardboard siding reserves	0.4			0.7
Total contingencies	15.3			14.8
Current portion	(2.0		)	(2.0		)
Long-term portion	$	13.3		$	12.8

Schedule of Environmental Loss Contingencies by Site [Table Text Block]

The activity in LP’s reserve for estimated environmental loss contingency reserves for the last three years is summarized in the following table.

	Year ended December 31,
Dollar amounts in millions	2013			2012			2011
Beginning balance	$	14.1		$	15.0		$	14.3
Adjusted to expense (income) during the year	1.3			0.7			1.5
Payments made for claims	(0.5		)	—			—
Payments made for administrative costs	—			(1.6		)	(0.8		)
Ending balance	$	14.9		$	14.1		$	15.0

Settlement Agreement Reserve Rollforward [Table Text Block]

The activity in the portion of LP’s loss contingency reserves relating to hardboard siding contingencies for the last three years is summarized in the following table. Included in this table for 2013 and 2012 are reimbursements received by LP from an insurance company for a portion of the claims payments and administrative costs covered under a court judgment related to production and sales of the specific products for specific years.

	Year ended December 31,
Dollar amounts in millions	2013			2012			2011
Beginning balance	$	0.7		$	6.2		$	17.8
Accrued (reversed) to expense	—			(5.0		)	(10.7		)
Claims reimbursement	—			—			0.6
Payments made for claims	(0.2		)	(0.4		)	(1.1		)
Payments made for administrative costs	(0.1		)	(0.1		)	(0.4		)
Ending balance	$	0.4		$	0.7		$	6.2