Other Commitments and Contingencies (Details)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011 Year Lawsuits Contractor
Other Commitments and Contingencies (Textuals) [Abstract]
Number of additional lawsuits filed on behalf of several of Masco's competitors in insulation installation business	2
Number of insulation installation contractors certified by the federal court in Atlanta	377
Number of additional lawsuits pending	1

The total number of new claims filed pertaining to a loss contingency during the period.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyNewClaimsFiledNumber
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration