Accrual potential liability for environmental cleanup.

No definition available.

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- Details

Name:	usg_AdditionalLitigationTextualAbstract
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- Definition

The number of homes where we have confirmed the presence of Knauf Tianjin wallboard as of the date of this report.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	usg_ApproximateNumberOfHomesWherePresenceOfDefectiveCompetitorWallboardHasBeenConfirmed
Namespace Prefix:	usg_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of homes for which we have resolved the property damage claims.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	usg_ApproximateNumberOfPropertyDamageClaimsResolved
Namespace Prefix:	usg_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
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- Details

Name:	usg_LitigationTextualAbstract
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- Definition

The amount of Knauf Tianjin wallboard potentially sold by L&W Supply Corporation could completely furnish approximately 250-300 average-size houses as of the date of this report.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	usg_RangeOfAverageSizeHouses
Namespace Prefix:	usg_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
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- Definition

Receivables Related to Settlement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	usg_ReceivablesRelatedToSettlement
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the gross amount awarded, to be received by, or to be remitted to the entity in settlement of litigation occurring during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationSettlementGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Reflects the estimated amount of loss from the specified contingency as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14435-108349

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14557-108349

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Cash received for the settlement of litigation during the current period.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 27

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 25

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3536-108585

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Litigation (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011 Home
Additional Litigation (Textual) [Abstract]
Approximate number of property damage claims resolved			140
Accrual for estimated costs of resolving the Chinese wallboard property damage claims			$ 14
Receivables Related to Settlement			10
Accrual potential liability for environmental cleanup			14
Litigation settlement	25	80	105
Approximate number of homes where the presence of Knauf Tianjin wallboard has been confirmed			280
Litigation settlement, net	$ 23	$ 74
Maximum [Member]
Litigation (Textual) [Abstract]
Range of average-size houses that the amount of Knauf Tianjin wallboard potentially sold by L&W Supply Corporation could completely furnish			300
Minimum [Member]
Litigation (Textual) [Abstract]
Range of average-size houses that the amount of Knauf Tianjin wallboard potentially sold by L&W Supply Corporation could completely furnish			250