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Equity Investments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Equity method investment, sales reported on consolidated financial statements $ 109.4awi_EquityMethodInvestmentSalesReportedOnConsolidatedFinancialStatements $ 111.7awi_EquityMethodInvestmentSalesReportedOnConsolidatedFinancialStatements $ 114.3awi_EquityMethodInvestmentSalesReportedOnConsolidatedFinancialStatements
WAVE [Member]      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Equity interest percentage 50.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= awi_WorthingtonArmstrongVentureMember
   
Distributions from equity interest 67.9us-gaap_ProceedsFromEquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributionsReturnOfCapital
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= awi_WorthingtonArmstrongVentureMember
61.1us-gaap_ProceedsFromEquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributionsReturnOfCapital
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= awi_WorthingtonArmstrongVentureMember
63.5us-gaap_ProceedsFromEquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributionsReturnOfCapital
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= awi_WorthingtonArmstrongVentureMember
Equity method investment, difference between carrying amount and underlying equity $ 177.7us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDifferenceBetweenCarryingAmountAndUnderlyingEquity
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= awi_WorthingtonArmstrongVentureMember
$ 183.3us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDifferenceBetweenCarryingAmountAndUnderlyingEquity
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= awi_WorthingtonArmstrongVentureMember
 
Customer Relationships [Member]      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Amortizing intangible assets, Estimated Useful Life 20 years    
Customer Relationships [Member] | WAVE [Member]      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Amortizing intangible assets, Estimated Useful Life 20 years    
Developed Technology [Member]      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Amortizing intangible assets, Estimated Useful Life 15 years    
Developed Technology [Member] | WAVE [Member]      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Amortizing intangible assets, Estimated Useful Life 15 years    
Trademarks [Member] | WAVE [Member]      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Non-amortizing intangible assets, Estimated Useful Life indefinite