Note 11 - Warranty Accrual (Details) - Warranty Accrual and Payment Activity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Warranty Accrual and Payment Activity [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 22,238us-gaap_ProductWarrantyAccrual	$ 23,151us-gaap_ProductWarrantyAccrual	$ 25,525us-gaap_ProductWarrantyAccrual
Expense provisions	4,834us-gaap_ProductWarrantyExpense	5,562us-gaap_ProductWarrantyExpense	4,216us-gaap_ProductWarrantyExpense
Cash payments	(6,126)us-gaap_ProductWarrantyAccrualPayments	(6,475)us-gaap_ProductWarrantyAccrualPayments	(6,590)us-gaap_ProductWarrantyAccrualPayments
Adjustments	(2,600)	0	0
Balance at end of period	$ 18,346us-gaap_ProductWarrantyAccrual	$ 22,238us-gaap_ProductWarrantyAccrual	$ 23,151us-gaap_ProductWarrantyAccrual

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Namespace Prefix:	mdc_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date and payable for estimated claims under standard and extended warranty protection rights granted to customers.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.15(5))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph 5

-Article 9

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 460

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 8

-Subparagraph ((c)(5))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6398077&loc=d3e12565-110249

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the aggregate decrease in the liability related to payments to satisfy claims for standard and extended product warranties.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 460

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 8

-Subparagraph ((c)(2))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6398077&loc=d3e12565-110249

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total increases or decreases in the standard and extended product warranty liability during the period.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 460

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 8

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6398077&loc=d3e12565-110249

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The expense charged against earnings for the period pertaining to standard and extended warranties on the entity's goods and services granted to customers.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 460

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 8

-Subparagraph ((c)(3,4))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6398077&loc=d3e12565-110249

+ Details

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