Summary Quarterly Financial Data (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Net sales	$ 323,430	$ 355,620	$ 378,030	$ 337,780	$ 301,040	$ 335,870	$ 338,430	$ 297,570	$ 1,394,860	$ 1,272,910	$ 1,083,960
Gross Profit	72,540	94,150	103,310	83,400	78,820	90,140	95,890	78,910	353,400	343,760	317,700
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	8,280	29,950	27,100	14,040					79,370	36,290	50,810
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	0	700	0					700	0	9,550
Net income (loss)	8,280	29,950	27,800	14,040	(13,090)	19,960	17,170	12,250	80,070	36,290	60,360
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,430	1,320	910	860	850	1,290	510	(240)
Net income (loss) attributable to TriMas Corporation	$ 6,850	$ 28,630	$ 26,890	$ 13,180	$ (13,940)	$ 18,670	$ 16,660	$ 12,490	$ 75,550	$ 33,880	$ 60,360
Basic earnings per share attributable to TriMas Corporation:
Continuing operations	$ 0.15	$ 0.71	$ 0.66	$ 0.34					$ 1.83	$ 0.90	$ 1.48
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.02	$ 0.00					$ 0.02	$ 0.00	$ 0.28
Net income (loss) per share	$ 0.15	$ 0.71	$ 0.68	$ 0.34	$ (0.36)	$ 0.48	$ 0.45	$ 0.36	$ 1.85	$ 0.90	$ 1.76
Weighted average shares—basic	44,698,948	40,345,828	39,425,471	39,234,780	39,101,163	39,045,282	37,345,026	34,592,267	40,926,257	37,520,935	34,246,289
Diluted earnings per share attributable to TriMas Corporation:
Continuing operations	$ 0.15	$ 0.70	$ 0.65	$ 0.33					$ 1.81	$ 0.89	$ 1.46
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.02	$ 0.00					$ 0.02	$ 0.00	$ 0.27
Net income (loss) per share	$ 0.15	$ 0.70	$ 0.67	$ 0.33	$ (0.35)	$ 0.47	$ 0.44	$ 0.36	$ 1.83	$ 0.89	$ 1.73
Weighted average shares—diluted	45,159,205	40,746,503	39,886,593	39,790,524	39,680,565	39,508,503	37,694,221	35,027,899	41,395,706	37,949,021	34,779,693