CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Apr. 02, 2011
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 577,668	$ 687,681
Cost of goods sold	493,175	589,874
Depreciation and amortization	7,529	9,699
Selling, general, and administrative expense	31,602	35,369
Insurance settlement	(1,500)	0
Litigation settlement	0	(10,500)
Operating income	46,862	63,239
Interest expense	(2,637)	(3,348)
Other income, net	254	1,059
Income before income taxes	44,479	60,950
Income tax expense	(11,662)	(20,408)
Consolidated net income	32,817	40,542
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(218)	45
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	$ 32,599	$ 40,587
Weighted average shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	38,014	37,723
Effect of dilutive stock-based awards (in shares)	444	263
Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted earnings per share (in shares)	38,458	37,986
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.86	$ 1.08
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.85	$ 1.07
Dividends per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.10	$ 0.10