Consolidated Statements Of Equity (USD $) In Millions	AWI Shareholders [Member] Common Stock [Member]	AWI Shareholders [Member] Capital In Excess Of Par Value [Member]	AWI Shareholders [Member] Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) [Member]	AWI Shareholders [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	AWI Shareholders [Member]	Non-Controlling Interest [Member]	Non-Controlling Interest [Member] Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) [Member]	Non-Controlling Interest [Member]	Non-Controlling Interest [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Capital In Excess Of Par Value [Member]	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Total
Balance at beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2008	$ 0.6	$ 2,024.7	$ 66.7	$ (348.8)		$ 8.1			$ 8.1	$ 0.6	$ 2,024.7	$ 66.7	$ (348.8)
Share-based employee compensation, net		27.4									27.4
Net earnings for period			77.7				0.5					78.2		77.7
Foreign currency translation adjustments				34.4									34.4
Derivative (loss) gain, net				(2.2)									(2.2)
Pension and postretirement adjustments				18.8									18.8
Total other comprehensive income (loss)				51.0									51.0
Comprehensive income (loss)					128.7			0.5						129.2
Total equity					1,899.3			8.6						1,907.9
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	0.6	2,052.1	144.4	(297.8)		8.6	0.5		8.6	0.6	2,052.1		(297.8)
Share-based employee compensation, net		14.7									14.7
Dividend in excess of retained earnings		(612.1)									(612.1)
Non-controlling interest purchase		(3.5)		1.1		(8.6)			(8.6)		(3.5)		1.1
Net earnings for period			11.0									11.0		11.0
Dividend			(190.7)									(190.7)
Foreign currency translation adjustments				(0.3)									(0.3)
Derivative (loss) gain, net				0.5									0.5
Pension and postretirement adjustments				(29.2)									(29.2)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)				(27.9)									(27.9)
Comprehensive income (loss)					(16.9)									(16.9)
Total equity					1,090.8									1,090.8
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	0.6	1,451.2	(35.3)	(325.7)						0.6	1,451.2	(35.3)	(325.7)
Share-based employee compensation, net		16.3									16.3
Net earnings for period			112.4									112.4		112.4
Foreign currency translation adjustments				(1.6)									(1.6)
Derivative (loss) gain, net				(9.0)									(9.0)
Pension and postretirement adjustments				(78.7)									(78.7)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)				(89.3)									(89.3)
Comprehensive income (loss)					23.1									23.1
Total equity					1,130.2									1,130.2
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 0.6	$ 1,467.5	$ 77.1	$ (415.0)						$ 0.6	$ 1,467.5	$ 77.1	$ (415.0)