Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

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The aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets.

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Aggregate revenue during the period from the sale of goods in the normal course of business, after deducting returns, allowances and discounts.

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Segments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net Sales:
Net sales	$ 954us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet	$ 972us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet	$ 948us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet	$ 850us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet	$ 915us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet	$ 925us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet	$ 916us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet	$ 814us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet	$ 3,724us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet	$ 3,570us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet	$ 3,224us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet
Operating Profit (Loss):
Operating profit (loss)	(24)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	22us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	98us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	66us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	60us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	75us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	74us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	49us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	162us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	258us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	73us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization									154	155	156
Capital Expenditures:
Capital expenditures									132	124	70
Assets	3,994us-gaap_Assets				4,121us-gaap_Assets				3,994us-gaap_Assets	4,121us-gaap_Assets
Gypsum
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization									116	115	114
Capital Expenditures:
Capital expenditures									96	66	50
Assets	2,106				2,227				2,106	2,227
Ceilings
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization									14	14	15
Capital Expenditures:
Capital expenditures									30	54	14
Assets	285				389				285	389
Distribution
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization									12	12	12
Capital Expenditures:
Capital expenditures									5	3	5
Assets	412				406				412	406
Corporate
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization									12	14	15
Capital Expenditures:
Capital expenditures									1	1	1
Assets	547				1,118				547	1,118
Equity method investments
Capital Expenditures:
Assets	735				73				735	73
Operating Segments \| Gypsum
Net Sales:
Net sales									2,403	2,262	1,988
Operating Profit (Loss):
Operating profit (loss)									169	261	109
Operating Segments \| Ceilings
Net Sales:
Net sales									513	568	558
Operating Profit (Loss):
Operating profit (loss)									87	98	88
Operating Segments \| Distribution
Net Sales:
Net sales									1,345	1,245	1,145
Operating Profit (Loss):
Operating profit (loss)									16	6	(33)
Operating Segments \| Corporate
Operating Profit (Loss):
Operating profit (loss)									(109)	(93)	(82)
Eliminations
Net Sales:
Net sales									(537)	(505)	(467)
Operating Profit (Loss):
Operating profit (loss)									(1)	(14)	(9)
Capital Expenditures:
Assets	$ (91)				$ (92)				$ (91)	$ (92)