XML 43 R61.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Goodwill - Changes in Balance of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2011
Goodwill [Line Items]        
Balance at the beginning of the year   $ 27,156us-gaap_Goodwill $ 27,156us-gaap_Goodwill  
Goodwill impairment (6,406)us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss      
Balance at the end of the year   27,156us-gaap_Goodwill 27,156us-gaap_Goodwill  
Security Products        
Goodwill [Line Items]        
Balance at the beginning of the year 13,991us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= nl_SecurityProductsMember
     
Sale of disposed operations (14,286)us-gaap_GoodwillWrittenOffRelatedToSaleOfBusinessUnit
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= nl_SecurityProductsMember
     
Changes in currency exchange rates 295us-gaap_GoodwillTranslationAndPurchaseAccountingAdjustments
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= nl_SecurityProductsMember
     
Furniture Components        
Goodwill [Line Items]        
Balance at the beginning of the year   27,156us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= nl_FurnitureComponentsMember
27,156us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= nl_FurnitureComponentsMember
27,156us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= nl_FurnitureComponentsMember
Balance at the end of the year 27,156us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= nl_FurnitureComponentsMember
27,156us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= nl_FurnitureComponentsMember
27,156us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= nl_FurnitureComponentsMember
27,156us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= nl_FurnitureComponentsMember
EWI Re, Inc.        
Goodwill [Line Items]        
Balance at the beginning of the year 6,406us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= nl_EwiMember
     
Goodwill impairment (6,406)us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= nl_EwiMember
     
Balance at the end of the year $ 6,400us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= nl_EwiMember