Segment Information - Company by Segment and Geographic Area (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 2,149	$ 1,945	$ 4,025	$ 3,751
Operating profit	188	54	320	163
Gain from sale of fixed assets		5		5
(Charge) income for litigation settlements, net		(75)		(73)
Other income (expense), net	(57)	(66)	(110)	(115)
(Loss) income before income taxes	131	(12)	210	48
North America [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,765	1,587	3,275	3,018
Operating profit	185	125	325	213
International, Principally Europe [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	384	358	750	733
Operating profit	42	32	68	79
Combined Reporting Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	2,149	1,945	4,025	3,751
Operating profit	227	157	393	292
Operating Segments [Member] | Installation and Other Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	357	296	669	574
Operating profit	8	(9)	4	(23)
(Charge) income for litigation settlements, net		(75)		(75)
Operating Segments [Member] | Cabinets and Related Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	265	253	501	481
Operating profit	2	(5)	(2)	(21)
Operating Segments [Member] | Plumbing Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	802	738	1,564	1,480
Operating profit	102	70	188	167
Operating Segments [Member] | Decorative Architectural Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	565	517	997	951
Operating profit	104	95	193	168
Operating Segments [Member] | Other Specialty Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	160	141	294	265
Operating profit	11	6	10	1
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating profit	$ (39)	$ (33)	$ (73)	$ (61)