Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended					6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Information
Net sales	$ 2,101		$ 1,945				$ 6,318	$ 5,789
Operating Profit (Loss)	300	$ 256	309	$ 372	$ 257	$ 629	902	938	$ 1,194	$ 1,087
Other income (expense), net	(38)		(45)				(128)	(202)
Income before income taxes	262		264				774	736
North America
Segment Information
Net sales	1,724		1,538				5,112	4,618
International, principally Europe
Segment Information
Net sales	377		407				1,206	1,171
Plumbing Products
Segment Information
Net sales	992		950				2,995	2,771
Plumbing Products | North America
Segment Information
Net sales	653		599				1,905	1,761
Plumbing Products | International, principally Europe
Segment Information
Net sales	339		351				1,090	1,010
Decorative Architectural Products
Segment Information
Net sales	673		562				2,024	1,719
Decorative Architectural Products | North America
Segment Information
Net sales	673		562				2,024	1,719
Decorative Architectural Products | International, principally Europe
Segment Information
Net sales	0		0				0	0
Cabinetry Products
Segment Information
Net sales	239		229				724	711
Cabinetry Products | North America
Segment Information
Net sales	239		216				724	673
Cabinetry Products | International, principally Europe
Segment Information
Net sales	0		13				0	38
Windows and Other Specialty Products
Segment Information
Net sales	197		204				575	588
Windows and Other Specialty Products | North America
Segment Information
Net sales	159		161				459	465
Windows and Other Specialty Products | International, principally Europe
Segment Information
Net sales	38		43				116	123
Operating Segments
Segment Information
Net sales	2,101	1,853	1,945	2,066	1,778	3,844	6,318	5,789	7,642	7,361
Operating Profit (Loss)	320	277	331	398	280	678	962	1,009	1,286	1,181
Operating Segments | Plumbing Products
Segment Information
Net sales	992	961	950	949	872	1,821	2,995	2,771	3,732	3,529
Operating Profit (Loss)	177	165	175	200	162	362	534	537	702	654
Operating Segments | Decorative Architectural Products
Segment Information
Net sales	673	487	562	661	496	1,157	2,024	1,719	2,206	2,092
Operating Profit (Loss)	104	83	112	149	94	243	338	355	438	433
Operating Segments | Cabinetry Products
Segment Information
Net sales	239	223	229	251	231	482	724	711	934	970
Operating Profit (Loss)	23	25	20	31	16	47	62	67	92	97
Operating Segments | Windows and Other Specialty Products
Segment Information
Net sales	197	182	204	205	179	384	575	588	770	770
Operating Profit (Loss)	16	4	24	18	8	26	28	50	54	(3)
Geographic Areas
Segment Information
Net sales	2,101		1,945				6,318	5,789
Operating Profit (Loss)	320		331				962	1,009
Geographic Areas | North America
Segment Information
Net sales	1,724		1,538				5,112	4,618
Operating Profit (Loss)	272		276				813	854
Geographic Areas | International, principally Europe
Segment Information
Net sales	377		407				1,206	1,171
Operating Profit (Loss)	48		55				149	155
Corporate, Non-Segment
Segment Information
General corporate expense, net	$ (20)	$ (21)	$ (22)	$ (26)	$ 23	$ (49)	$ (60)	$ (71)	$ (92)	$ (94)