Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Apr. 11, 2014 mi	Jun. 30, 2007 mi	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2014
Environmental Cost [Line Items]
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies	$ 5.0	$ 3.9			$ 6.6	$ 5.0
Aggregate environmental accruals included in current other accrued liabilities	3.2	3.4
Amount which is better estimate within range	0	0
Remediation accrual balance if accrued at high end of the range of possible outcomes	28.0	2.6
Environmental remediation spending charged to reserve balance	4.9	3.6
Operating costs relating to environmental compliance	14.2	13.5
Lower Passaic River
Environmental Cost [Line Items]
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies	2.1	0.2
Number of entities, in addition to Hexcel, who received a directive from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection	72
Portion of the river for which interim remedial options are considered (in miles)			8	8
Remediation accrual balance if accrued at lower end of the range of possible outcomes							2.3
Lower Passaic River | Minimum
Environmental Cost [Line Items]
Expected cost of dredging of the lower eight miles of the river by EPA			800
Lower Passaic River | Maximum
Environmental Cost [Line Items]
Expected cost of dredging of the lower eight miles of the river by EPA			3,250
Lodi, New Jersey Site
Environmental Cost [Line Items]
Accrued additional charges	3.7
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies	1.7	1.7
Kent, Washington Site
Environmental Cost [Line Items]
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies	0.5	0.8
Omega Chemical Corporation Superfund Site, Whittier, California
Environmental Cost [Line Items]
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies	$ 0.6
Approximate contribution to waste tonnage (as a percent)	1.07%