Hourly Employees and Open Positions Terminated

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- Definition

Amount of expected restructuring payments in the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year

+ References

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- Definition

Amount of expected restructuring payments in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

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Amount of restructuring payments in the after the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

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- Definition

Salaried Employees and Open Positions Terminated

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- Definition

Amount expected to be recognized in earnings for the specified restructuring cost.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 5

-Section P

-Subsection 3, 4

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-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

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-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.P.4(b))

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- Definition

Carrying amount (including both current and noncurrent portions of the accrual) as of the balance sheet date pertaining to a specified type of cost associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructuring pursuant to a duly authorized plan.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b))

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 5

-Section P

-Subsection 3, 4

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- Definition

The aggregate amount provided for estimated restructuring charges, remediation costs, and asset impairment loss during an accounting period. Generally, these items are either unusual or infrequent, but not both (in which case they would be extraordinary items).

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

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Restructuring Charges (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012 Employees	Dec. 31, 2011
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$ 0	$ 3	$ 10
Number of salaried employees terminated			90
Number of hourly employees terminated			40
Total restructuring reserve	8us-gaap_RestructuringReserve	11us-gaap_RestructuringReserve	20us-gaap_RestructuringReserve	34us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Expected future restructuring payments in 2015	1usg_RestructuringPaymentsDueCurrent
Expected future restructuring payments due in 2016	1usg_RestructuringPaymentsDueInTwoYears
Expected future restructuring payments due thereafter	6usg_RestructuringPaymentsDueThereafter
Gypsum
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	0	3	8
Expected restructuring-related future payments	1
Distribution
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	0	(1)	0
Expected restructuring-related future payments	6
Corporate Segment
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	0	1	2
Expected restructuring-related future payments	$ 1