Employee Retirement Plans (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Employee Retirement Plans (Textual) [Abstract]
Aggregate charges to earnings under defined benefit plan	$ 34	$ 34	$ 59
Aggregate charges to earnings under defined contribution retirement plan	31	47	35
Curtailment charges on benefit obligation			8
Pre-tax net loss from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic pension cost	14
Number of common stock shares included in Plan Assets	1.2	1.2
Value of common stock shares included in Plan Assets	12	14
Minimum discount rate for defined benefit pension plans	2.00%	2.30%
Maximum discount rate for defined benefit pension plans	5.50%	5.55%
Minimum liabilities having a discount rate for obligations	4.20%	5.00%
Weighted average discount rate	4.40%	5.30%	5.80%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	7.25%	7.25%	8.00%
Actual annual rate of return on pension plan assets	3.20%	4.30%
Reasonable long-term rate of return	7.25%	7.25%
Equity allocation	45.00%
Debt allocation	25.00%
Allocation to alternative investments	15.00%
Portfolio in global assets	15.00%
Rate of return from targeted portfolio	7.25%
Present value of unfunded accumulated post retirement benefit obligation	14	13
Contribution to qualified defined-benefit pension plans	60	70
Period for actual annual rate of return on the company's pension plan	10 years	10 years
Payments to participants of unfunded foreign and non-qualified (domestic) defined-benefit pension plans	3	11
Description of Multiemployer Plan	Company participates in 20 regional multi-employer pension plans, principally related to building trades; none of the plans are considered significant
Multiemployer Plan, Period Contributions	$ 3	$ 3	$ 4

Actual annual rate of return on pension plan assets.

No definition available.

Name:	mas_ActualAnnualRateOfReturnOnPensionPlanAssets
Namespace Prefix:	mas_
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate charges to earnings under defined benefit plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mas_AggregateChargesToEarningsUnderDefinedBenefitPlan
Namespace Prefix:	mas_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate charges to earnings under defined contribution retirement plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mas_AggregateChargesToEarningsUnderDefinedContributionRetirementPlan
Namespace Prefix:	mas_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Defined benefit plan actual return on plan assets period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mas_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	mas_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Expected return on plan assets.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mas_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAsset
Namespace Prefix:	mas_
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Defined benefit plan assumptions used calculating net periodic benefit cost reasonable long term return on assets.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mas_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostReasonableLongTermReturnOnAssets
Namespace Prefix:	mas_
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Defined benefit plan assumption used calculating net periodic benefit cost discount rate maximum.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mas_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostDiscountRateMaximum
Namespace Prefix:	mas_
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Defined benefit plan assumption used calculating net periodic benefit cost discount rate minimum.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mas_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostDiscountRateMinimum
Namespace Prefix:	mas_
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Defined Benefit Plan Target Allocation Percentage Of assets global asset.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mas_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetAllocationDefinedBenefitPlanTargetAllocationPercentageOfAssetsGlobalAsset
Namespace Prefix:	mas_
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Minimum liabilities having a discount rate for obligations.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mas_MinimumLiabilitiesHavingDiscountRateForObligations
Namespace Prefix:	mas_
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Payments to participants of unfunded foreign and non-qualified (domestic) defined-benefit pension plans.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mas_PaymentsToParticipantsOfUnfundedForeignAndNonqualifiedDomesticDefinedBenefitPensionPlans
Namespace Prefix:	mas_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Present value of unfunded accumulated post retirement benefit obligation.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mas_PresentValueOfUnfundedAccumulatedPostRetirementBenefitObligation
Namespace Prefix:	mas_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Rate of return from targeted portfolio.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mas_RateOfReturnFromTargetedPortfolio
Namespace Prefix:	mas_
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPensionPlansAndDefinedBenefitPostretirementPlansDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The pretax net amount of gains and losses that are not yet recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost, and that are recognized as increases or decreases in other comprehensive income as they arise. Gains and losses are due to changes in the value of either the benefit obligation or the plan assets resulting from experience different from that assumed or from a change in an actuarial assumption, or the consequence of a decision to temporarily deviate from the substantive plan.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph i

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 158

-Paragraph 7

-Subparagraph c

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeNetGainsLossesBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of employer securities or securities of parties related to the employer that are included in plan assets.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph n

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmountOfEmployerAndRelatedPartySecuritiesIncludedInPlanAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The interest rate used to adjust for the time value of money for the plan.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph j

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationDiscountRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of contributions made by the employer.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph b

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

For pension plans, the amount of increase (decrease) in the accumulated benefit obligation related to the effects of a settlement or curtailment.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph r

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEffectOfSettlementsAndCurtailmentsOnAccumulatedBenefitObligation
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of employer shares or related party shares included in plan assets.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph n

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNumberOfSharesOfEquitySecuritiesIssuedByEmployerAndRelatedPartiesIncludedInPlanAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Target allocation percentage of investments in debt securities to total plan assets presented on a weighted-average basis as of the measurement date of the latest statement of financial position.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph d(2)

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetAllocationPercentageOfAssetsDebtSecurities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Target allocation percentage of investments in equity securities to total plan assets presented on a weighted-average basis as of the measurement date of the latest statement of financial position.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetAllocationPercentageOfAssetsEquitySecurities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Target allocation percentage in other than debt securities, equity securities, and real estate to total plan assets presented on a weighted-average basis as of the measurement date of the latest statement of financial position.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetAllocationPercentageOfAssetsOther
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

General descriptive information regarding an employer's multiemployer plans. A multiemployer plan is a plan to which two or more unrelated employers contribute, usually pursuant to one or more collective-bargaining agreements. A characteristic of multiemployer plans is that assets contributed by one participating employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers since assets contributed by one employer are not segregated in a separate account or restricted to provide benefits only to employees of that employer. A multiemployer plan is usually administered by a board of trustees composed of management and labor representatives and may also be referred to as a "joint trust" or "union" plan. Generally, many employers participate in a multiemployer plan, and an employer may participate in more than one plan. The employers participating in multiemployer plans usually have a common industry bond, but for some plans the employers are in different industries and the labor union may be their only common bond.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 12

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 87

-Paragraph 67

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DescriptionOfMultiemployerPlan
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of contributions made to multiemployer plans for each period for which a statement of income is presented. An employer may disclose total contributions to multiemployer plans without disaggregating the amounts attributable to pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 12

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MultiemployerPlanPeriodContributions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration