Cover Page - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Apr. 15, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Central Index Key	0000060977
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-7665
Entity Registrant Name	LYDALL INC /DE/
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	06-0865505
Entity Address, Address Line One	One Colonial Road
Entity Address, City or Town	Manchester
Entity Address, State or Province	CT
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	06042
City Area Code	860
Local Phone Number	646-1233
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	LDL
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Small Business	false
Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		17,694,743