Segments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Net Sales:
Net sales	$ 915	$ 925	$ 916	$ 814	$ 815	$ 828	$ 798	$ 783	$ 3,570	$ 3,224	$ 2,910
Operating Profit (Loss):
Operating profit (loss)	60	75	74	49	(8)	29	28	24	258	73	(206)
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization									155	156	164
Capital Expenditures:
Capital expenditures									124	70	54
Assets	4,121				3,723				4,121	3,723	3,719
North American Gypsum [Member]
Net Sales:
Net sales									2,249	1,963	1,695
Operating Profit (Loss):
Operating profit (loss)									264	115	(136)
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization									114	113	120
Capital Expenditures:
Capital expenditures									66	50	45
Assets	2,910				2,926				2,910	2,926	2,946
Worldwide Ceilings [Member]
Net Sales:
Net sales									625	600	583
Operating Profit (Loss):
Operating profit (loss)									94	83	82
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization									15	15	15
Capital Expenditures:
Capital expenditures									54	14	5
Assets	521				389				521	389	347
Building Products Distribution [Member]
Net Sales:
Net sales									1,245	1,145	1,060
Operating Profit (Loss):
Operating profit (loss)									6	(33)	(68)
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization									12	12	12
Capital Expenditures:
Capital expenditures									3	5	3
Assets	405				369				405	369	366
Corporate [Member]
Operating Profit (Loss):
Operating profit (loss)									(92)	(83)	(80)
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization									14	16	17
Capital Expenditures:
Capital expenditures									1	1	1
Assets	376				105				376	105	73
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Capital Expenditures:
Assets											35
Eliminations [Member]
Net Sales:
Net sales									(549)	(484)	(428)
Operating Profit (Loss):
Operating profit (loss)									(14)	(9)	(4)
Capital Expenditures:
Assets	$ (91)				$ (66)				$ (91)	$ (66)	$ (48)