Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 02, 2010	Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 02, 2010
Changes in total shareholders' equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning of year			$ 1,021	$ 886
Comprehensive income, net of tax:
Net income (loss)	7	126	41	141
Defined benefit plans			13	15
Foreign currency translation adjustment			(9)	4
Total Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(3)	132	45	160
Dividends paid on common stock			(43)	(35)
Share-based compensation, net of distributions			34	11
Ending balance	1,057	1,022	1,057	1,022
Temple-Inland Inc. Shareholders' Equity [Member]
Changes in total shareholders' equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning of year			929	794
Comprehensive income, net of tax:
Net income (loss)			41	141
Defined benefit plans			13	15
Foreign currency translation adjustment			(9)	4
Dividends paid on common stock			(43)	(35)
Share-based compensation, net of distributions			34	11
Ending balance	965	930	965	930
Dividends paid per share (in dollars per share)			$ 0.39	$ 0.33
Common stock issued for equity-based awards (in shares)			1,683,982	436,092
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Changes in total shareholders' equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning of year			92	92
Comprehensive income, net of tax:
Net income (loss)			0	0
Defined benefit plans			0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment			0	0
Dividends paid on common stock			0	0
Share-based compensation, net of distributions			0	0
Ending balance	$ 92	$ 92	$ 92	$ 92