Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended						3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended				3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012 Lower Passaic River Study Area entity	Jun. 30, 2007 Lower Passaic River Study Area option mi	Oct. 31, 2005 Lower Passaic River Study Area entity	May 31, 2005 Lower Passaic River Study Area entity	Feb. 29, 2004 Lower Passaic River Study Area entity	Oct. 31, 2003 Lower Passaic River Study Area entity	Jun. 30, 2012 Lower Passaic River Study Area	Apr. 11, 2014 Lower Passaic River Study Area Subsequent event mi	Jun. 30, 2007 Lower Passaic River Study Area Minimum	Jun. 30, 2007 Lower Passaic River Study Area Maximum	Mar. 31, 2014 Lodi, New Jersey Site	Mar. 31, 2014 Kent, Washington Site	Mar. 31, 2014 Omega Chemical Corporation Superfund Site, Whittier, CA
Environmental costs
Accrual for environmental remediation	$ 2,800,000												$ 1,300,000	$ 700,000	$ 600,000
Number of entities, in addition to Hexcel, who received a directive from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection								66
Number of entities who received notice from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)							42
Estimated cost for study of environmental conditions by EPA							10,000,000
Number of participating entities financing the study of environmental conditions by EPA						43
Maximum amount of financing for the study of environmental conditions by EPA						10,000,000
Number of entities assuming responsibility for environmental study by EPA					73
Number of interim remedial options				6
Number of PRPs entered into environmental activities with EPA			69
Environmental remediation activity, Cash expenditures			20,000,000
Accrued additional charges									500,000
Portion of the river for which interim remedial options are considered (in miles)				8						8
Estimated cost of the six interim remedial options for the lower eight miles of the river											900,000,000	2,300,000,000
Expected cost of dredging of the lower eight miles of the river by EPA										1,730,000,000
Approximate contribution to waste tonnage (as a percent)															1.07%
Aggregate environmental accruals included in current other accrued liabilities	2,500,000
Amount which is a better estimate within the range	0
Remediation accrual balance if accrued at high end of the range of possible outcomes	1,500,000
Environmental remediation spending charged to reserve balance	1,000,000	800,000
Operating costs relating to environmental compliance	3,500,000	3,300,000
Capital expenditure for environmental matters	1,100,000	800,000
Changes in accrued product warranty cost
Balance at the beginning of the period	4,500,000
Warranty expense	500,000
Deductions and other	(700,000)
Balance at the end of the period	$ 4,300,000