Segments (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Net Sales:
Net Sales	$ 792	$ 758	$ 2,274	$ 2,243
Operating Profit (Loss):
Operating loss	(76)	(58)	(155)	(165)
Restructuring and long-lived asset impairment charges by segment
Restructuring and long-lived asset impairment charges	59	35	70	54
North American Gypsum [Member]
Net Sales:
Net Sales	437	413	1,273	1,265
Operating Profit (Loss):
Operating loss	(70)	(43)	(115)	(89)
Restructuring and long-lived asset impairment charges by segment
Restructuring and long-lived asset impairment charges	52	30	61	40
Building Products Distribution [Member]
Net Sales:
Net Sales	283	281	796	811
Operating Profit (Loss):
Operating loss	(17)	(24)	(53)	(85)
Restructuring and long-lived asset impairment charges by segment
Restructuring and long-lived asset impairment charges	7	5	8	14
Worldwide Ceilings [Member]
Net Sales:
Net Sales	183	174	533	511
Operating Profit (Loss):
Operating loss	25	21	73	62
Corporate [Member]
Operating Profit (Loss):
Operating loss	(16)	(13)	(60)	(50)
Restructuring and long-lived asset impairment charges by segment
Restructuring and long-lived asset impairment charges			1
Eliminations [Member]
Net Sales:
Net Sales	(111)	(110)	(328)	(344)
Segment Reporting Information Intersegment Profit Loss	$ 2	$ 1		$ (3)