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Amount of the Increase or Decrease in the amount of the asset retirement obligation during the current period for changes in the amount or timing of the estimated cash flows associated with the settlement of the obligation.

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The aggregate amount of write-downs for impairments recognized during the period for long lived assets held for use (including those held for disposal by means other than sale).

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Fair value portion of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures.

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The charge against earnings resulting from the aggregate write down of tangible assets from their carrying value to their fair value.

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Long-Lived Asset Impairment Charges (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014 Ocean_vessel	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014 Ocean_vessel	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Long-lived asset impairment charges	$ 90us-gaap_TangibleAssetImpairmentCharges	$ 30us-gaap_TangibleAssetImpairmentCharges	$ 90us-gaap_TangibleAssetImpairmentCharges	$ 0us-gaap_TangibleAssetImpairmentCharges	$ 8us-gaap_TangibleAssetImpairmentCharges
Self-unloading Ocean Vessels	2usg_SelfunloadingOceanVessels		2usg_SelfunloadingOceanVessels
Increase in related asset retirement obligation			(13)	(11)
Fair value of long-lived assets					6
Gypsum
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use					7
Ceilings
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use					1
Asset Retirement Obligation Impairment \| Closed Gypsum Quarry and Ship Loading Facility
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use					7
Closed gypsum quarry and ship loading facility
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Increase in related asset retirement obligation					7
Future manufacturing facilities
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Long-lived asset impairment charges			12
Self-unloading ocean vessels
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Long-lived asset impairment charges	60		60
Empire, Nevada and New Orleans, Louisiana \| Machinery and equipment
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Long-lived asset impairment charges			16
Gypsum, Ohio \| Machinery and equipment
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Long-lived asset impairment charges			$ 2