Consolidated Statements Of Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock	Retained Earnings	Trust For Savings Restoration Plan	Foreign Currency Translation	Gain (Loss) On Derivative Financial Instruments	Pension and other post-retirement benefit adjustments
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 417,546	$ 10,724	$ 444,173	$ (1,332)	$ 23,572	$ 280	$ (59,871)
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010		31,883,173
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	24,855		24,855
Foreign currency translation adjustment (net of tax benefit of $2,002)	(11,879)				(11,879)
Derivative financial instruments adjustment (net of tax benefit of $133 in 2013, tax of $818 in 2012 and tax benefit of $423 in 2011)	(686)					(686)
Net gains (losses) and prior service costs (net of tax benefit)	(34,664)						(34,664)
Amortization of prior service costs and net gains or losses (net of tax of $5,398 in 2013, $3,749 in 2012 and $2,232 in 2011)	3,863						3,863
Cash dividends declared	(5,761)		(5,761)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Forfeited		119,698
Share Based Compensation Expense, Value	2,897	2,897
Issued upon exercise of stock options (including related income tax benefit of $76) & other	736	736
Issued upon exercise of stock options (including related income tax benefits) & other, shares		54,410
Tredegar common stock purchased by trust for savings restoration plan	0		11	(11)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	396,907	14,357	463,278	(1,343)	11,693	(406)	(90,672)
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011		32,057,281
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	28,251		28,251
Foreign currency translation adjustment (net of tax benefit of $2,002)	(11,562)				(11,562)
Derivative financial instruments adjustment (net of tax benefit of $133 in 2013, tax of $818 in 2012 and tax benefit of $423 in 2011)	1,399					1,399
Net gains (losses) and prior service costs (net of tax benefit)	(19,285)						(19,285)
Amortization of prior service costs and net gains or losses (net of tax of $5,398 in 2013, $3,749 in 2012 and $2,232 in 2011)	6,486						6,486
Cash dividends declared	(30,782)		(30,782)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Forfeited		78,299
Share Based Compensation Expense, Value	2,516	2,516
Issued upon exercise of stock options (including related income tax benefit of $76) & other	2,031	2,031
Issued upon exercise of stock options (including related income tax benefits) & other, shares		143,366
Shares received from the sale of Falling Springs, LLC	(3,709)	(3,709)
Shares received from the sale of Falling Springs, LLC, shares		(209,576)
Tredegar common stock purchased by trust for savings restoration plan	0		58	(58)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	372,252	15,195	460,805	(1,401)	131	993	(103,471)
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2012		32,069,370
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	21,947		21,947
Foreign currency translation adjustment (net of tax benefit of $2,002)	(19,336)				(19,336)
Derivative financial instruments adjustment (net of tax benefit of $133 in 2013, tax of $818 in 2012 and tax benefit of $423 in 2011)	(228)					(228)
Net gains (losses) and prior service costs (net of tax benefit)	22,203						22,203
Amortization of prior service costs and net gains or losses (net of tax of $5,398 in 2013, $3,749 in 2012 and $2,232 in 2011)	9,420						9,420
Cash dividends declared	(9,040)		(9,040)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Forfeited		72,125
Share Based Compensation Expense, Value	2,572	2,572
Issued upon exercise of stock options (including related income tax benefit of $76) & other	2,874	2,874
Issued upon exercise of stock options (including related income tax benefits) & other, shares		163,650
Tredegar common stock purchased by trust for savings restoration plan	0		17	(17)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 402,664	$ 20,641	$ 473,729	$ (1,418)	$ (19,205)	$ 765	$ (71,848)
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2013		32,305,145