Equity Method Investments (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
USG share of income from investment accounted for using the equity method	$ 13	$ 7
USG Boral Building Products
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Gross profit	86	65
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	38	24
Net income	26	15
Net income attributable to USG Boral Building Products	25	14
USG share of income from investment accounted for using the equity method	13	7
USG Boral Building Products | USG Boral Building Products
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Net sales	276	229
Operating profit	$ 35	$ 23