long-term loan proceeds from venture partner to consolidated variable interest entity

No definition available.

Name:	usg_LongTermLoanProceedsFromVenturePartnerToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity
Namespace Prefix:	usg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

payments to fund long term loans to consolidated variable interest entity which is eliminated in consolidation

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	usg_PaymentsToFundLongTermLoansToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity
Namespace Prefix:	usg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represent payments made through the balance sheet date to fund long-term loans to consolidated variable interest entities. These loans are eliminated in consolidation.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	usg_UsgPaymentslifetodatetofundlongtermloanstoconsolidatedvariableinterestentity
Namespace Prefix:	usg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The equity interest of noncontrolling shareholders, partners or other equity holders in consolidated entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The parent entity's interest in net assets of the subsidiary, expressed as a percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Net Increase or Decrease in balance of noncontrolling interest in the subsidiary during the reporting period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 16

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7656940&loc=SL4568740-111683

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestPeriodIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Portion of equity (net assets) in a variable interest entity (VIE) not attributable, directly or indirectly, to the parent entity. That is, this is the portion of equity in a VIE that is attributable to the noncontrolling interest (previously referred to as minority interest).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestInVariableInterestEntity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount for notes payable (written promise to pay), payable to related parties, which are due after one year (or one business cycle).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(k)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 850

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 08

-Paragraph k

-Subparagraph 1

-Article 4

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.23)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 23

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotesPayableRelatedPartiesNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash outflow from the purchase of mining and mining related assets during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireMiningAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount before accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of other physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 360

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentOther
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The gain (loss) recognized on initial consolidation of a variable interest entity (VIE) when the VIE is not a business (as defined).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28200181&loc=d3e5710-111685

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityInitialConsolidationGainOrLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Oman Investment (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013 USG-Zawawi Drywall LLC [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 USG-Zawawi Drywall LLC [Member] Co-venturer [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 USG-Zawawi Drywall LLC [Member] Co-venturer [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Zawawi Gypsum LLC [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Ownership percentage by parent in noncontrolling interest				50.00%			55.00%
Amount paid for our interest in the mining rights	$ 16	$ 17	$ 16
Percentage of noncontrolling owners in VIE				50.00%			45.00%
Noncontrolling interest in VIE	13
Gain or loss recognized upon initial consolidation of VIE		0
Increase in noncontrolling interest		13
Mining rights		30
Long-term loan proceeds from venture partner to consolidated VIE					3
Notes payable to venture partner					7.5	4.0
Payments to fund long term loans to consolidated VIE				3
Payments life to date to fund long term loans to consolidated VIE				$ 5			$ 3