Debt (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified			9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013 Credit Facility [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013 Zawawi Gypsum LLC [Member] Oman Credit Facilities [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 USG-Zawawi Drywall LLC [Member] Oman Credit Facilities [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 United States of America, Dollars London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] Oman Credit Facilities [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Oman, Rials Oman Credit Facilities [Member]
Debt (Textual) [Abstract]
Required minimum fixed charge coverage ratio per credit agreement covenant			1.1
Aggregate principal amount			$ 40
Line of credit facility rate applied aggregate revolving commitments activating fixed charge coverage ratio covenants			15.00%
Actual fixed charge coverage ratio			0.97
Borrowing availability that must be maintained under credit facility			52
Amount of letters of credit outstanding			78
Borrowing available under credit facility			216	38
Maximum borrowing capacity of term loan facility					10	26
Maximum borrowing capacity of overdraft and letter of cedit facilities					3	5
Stated interest rate of debt instrument								4.00%
Percentage above LIBOR							3.50%
Loan repayment subject to penalties made during period of time					2 years	3 years
Outstanding lines of credit			0	0	7	0
Interest rate during period of debt instrument					3.80%
Debt (Additional Textual) [Abstract]
Fair value of debt	$ 3,093	$ 3,093