Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) In Millions	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill
Gross Goodwill	$ 4,220	$ 4,216
Accumulated Impairment Losses	(1,833)	(1,833)
Goodwill	2,387	2,383
Other	4
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Textuals) [Abstract]
Other indefinite-lived intangible assets	185	185
Carrying value of definite-lived intangible assets	71	84
Accumulated amortization	80	75
Pre-tax impairment	7
Cabinets and Related Products [Member]
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill
Gross Goodwill	588	587
Accumulated Impairment Losses	(364)	(364)
Goodwill	224	223
Other	1
Plumbing Products [Member]
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill
Gross Goodwill	539	536
Accumulated Impairment Losses	(340)	(340)
Goodwill	199	196
Other	3
Installation and Other Services [Member]
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill
Gross Goodwill	1,819	1,819
Accumulated Impairment Losses	(762)	(762)
Goodwill	1,057	1,057
Decorative Architectural Products [Member]
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill
Gross Goodwill	294	294
Accumulated Impairment Losses	0	0
Goodwill	294	294
Other Specialty Products [Member]
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill
Gross Goodwill	980	980
Accumulated Impairment Losses	(367)	(367)
Goodwill	$ 613	$ 613

Accumulated Impairment Losses.

Name:	mas_AccumulatedImpairmentLosses
Namespace Prefix:	mas
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Textuals.

+ Details

Name:	mas_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTextualsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	mas
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Gross Goodwill.

+ Details

Name:	mas_GrossGoodwill
Namespace Prefix:	mas
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Other Goodwill.

+ Details

Name:	mas_OtherGoodwill
Namespace Prefix:	mas
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The accumulated amount of amortization of a major finite-lived intangible asset class. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph a(1)

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The aggregate sum of gross carrying value of a major finite-lived intangible asset class, less accumulated amortization and any impairment charges. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph a(1)

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to adoption of FAS 142 and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 43

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Goodwill
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Loss recognized during the period that results from the write-down of goodwill after comparing the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. Goodwill is assessed at least annually for impairment.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph e(2)

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 43

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 47

-Subparagraph b

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 20

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Sum of the carrying amounts (original costs for current and prior period additions adjusted for impairment, if any) as of the balance sheet date of intangible assets, excluding goodwill, having a projected indefinite period of benefit.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph b

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant