CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 582,282	$ 594,099	$ 1,141,972	$ 1,171,767
Cost of goods sold	501,125	522,851	983,975	1,016,026
Depreciation and amortization	8,328	7,919	16,482	15,448
Selling, general, and administrative expense	34,814	33,487	66,157	65,089
Insurance settlement	(106,332)	0	(106,332)	(1,500)
Operating income	144,347	29,842	181,690	76,704
Interest expense	(1,101)	(2,721)	(1,697)	(5,358)
Other income, net	319	490	3,482	744
Income before income taxes	143,565	27,611	183,475	72,090
Income tax expense	(51,723)	(9,071)	(65,199)	(20,733)
Consolidated net income	91,842	18,540	118,276	51,357
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(692)	(623)	(924)	(841)
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	$ 91,150	$ 17,917	$ 117,352	$ 50,516
Weighted average shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	27,840	38,029	27,831	38,021
Effect of dilutive stock-based awards (in shares)	370	436	372	440
Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted earnings per share (in shares)	28,210	38,465	28,203	38,461
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 3.27	$ 0.47	$ 4.22	$ 1.33
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 3.23	$ 0.47	$ 4.16	$ 1.31
Dividends per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.125	$ 0.10	$ 0.25	$ 0.20