Equity Method Investments - Statement of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Income (loss) from equity method investments	$ 59	$ 49	$ 50
USG Boral Building Products
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Net sales	1,200	1,052	1,003
Gross profit	369	337	278
Operating profit	160	133	124
Net income before taxes	174	142	132
Net income	121	95	101
Net income attributable to USG Boral Building Products	117	99	96
Income (loss) from equity method investments	59	49	48
Other equity method investments
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Income (loss) from equity method investments	$ 0	0	$ 2
China | Operating profit
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Long-lived asset impairment charges		8
China | Equity Method Income
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Long-lived asset impairment charges		4
Oman | Operating profit
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Long-lived asset impairment charges		14
Oman | Equity Method Income
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Long-lived asset impairment charges		$ 4