Supplemental Balance Sheet Information (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Land and mineral deposits	$ 135usg_LandAndMineralDepositsGross	$ 181usg_LandAndMineralDepositsGross
Buildings and improvements	1,095us-gaap_BuildingsAndImprovementsGross	1,139us-gaap_BuildingsAndImprovementsGross
Machinery and equipment	2,563us-gaap_MachineryAndEquipmentGross	2,623us-gaap_MachineryAndEquipmentGross
Property, plant and equipment, gross	3,793us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross	3,943us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross
Reserves for depreciation and depletion	(1,885)	(1,840)
Total	1,908us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet	2,103us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
Annual depreciation and depletion expense	$ 134usg_Depreciationanddepletion	$ 135usg_Depreciationanddepletion

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- Definition

Land and mineral deposits, gross.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Amount of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization for physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

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- Definition

Amount before accumulated depreciation of building structures held for productive use including addition, improvement, or renovation to the structure, including, but not limited to, interior masonry, interior flooring, electrical, and plumbing.

+ References

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Amount before accumulated depreciation of tangible personal property used to produce goods and services, including, but is not limited to, tools, dies and molds, computer and office equipment.

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Amount before accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business 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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