Note 7 - Inventories (Details) - Inventories Owned (Homebuilding [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Note 7 - Inventories (Details) - Inventories Owned [Line Items]
Land and land under development, by segments	$ 2,048,167	$ 1,771,661
Homes completed and under construction, by segments	940,448	628,371
Model homes. by segments	156,754	136,070
Total inventories owned, by segments	3,145,369	2,536,102
CALIFORNIA
Note 7 - Inventories (Details) - Inventories Owned [Line Items]
Land and land under development, by segments	886,782	819,278
Homes completed and under construction, by segments	411,200	280,875
Model homes. by segments	75,663	82,367
Total inventories owned, by segments	1,373,645	1,182,520
Southwest [Member]
Note 7 - Inventories (Details) - Inventories Owned [Line Items]
Land and land under development, by segments	491,696	415,910
Homes completed and under construction, by segments	255,697	159,927
Model homes. by segments	41,493	27,466
Total inventories owned, by segments	788,886	603,303
Southeast [Member]
Note 7 - Inventories (Details) - Inventories Owned [Line Items]
Land and land under development, by segments	669,689	536,473
Homes completed and under construction, by segments	273,551	187,569
Model homes. by segments	39,598	26,237
Total inventories owned, by segments	$ 982,838	$ 750,279

The carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of homes that have been finished and are ready for sale, net of valuation allowance and impairment loss and of capitalized construction costs of homes for future sale.

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	spf_HomesCompletedAndUnderConstruction
Namespace Prefix:	spf_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	spf_Note7InventoriesDetailsInventoriesOwnedLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	spf_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of the sum of the various components of an operative builder's inventory, including finished homes. Operative builders primarily consist of entities that develop land, construct residential homes and commercial and industrial buildings thereon, and sell them to home buyers and operators of the commercial and industrial properties.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

The carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of all of a real estate developer's inventories that are either not otherwise specified in the taxonomy or are not separately reported by the entity.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, net of valuation allowances and impairment losses, of costs of land expected to be developed in the near term plus capitalized costs of development, for purposes of selling completed units to home buyers or commercial or industrial entities..

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph a

-Article 5

+ Details

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