CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 528,854	$ 514,165	$ 1,670,826	$ 1,685,932
Cost of goods sold	456,302	449,718	1,440,277	1,465,744
Depreciation and amortization	7,882	7,870	24,364	23,318
Selling, general, and administrative expense	32,921	32,120	99,078	97,209
Gain on sale of plastic fittings manufacturing assets	(39,765)	0	(39,765)	0
Impairment charges	4,304	0	4,304	0
Insurance settlement	0	0	(106,332)	(1,500)
Operating income	67,210	24,457	248,900	101,161
Interest expense	(1,243)	(353)	(2,940)	(5,711)
Other income, net	842	219	4,324	963
Income before income taxes	66,809	24,323	250,284	96,413
Income tax expense	(26,816)	(8,753)	(92,015)	(29,486)
Consolidated net income	39,993	15,570	158,269	66,927
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(129)	(59)	(1,053)	(900)
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	$ 39,864	$ 15,511	$ 157,216	$ 66,027
Weighted average shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	27,894	37,505	27,852	37,849
Effect of dilutive stock-based awards (in shares)	361	452	369	444
Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted earnings per share (in shares)	28,255	37,957	28,221	38,293
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.43	$ 0.41	$ 5.64	$ 1.74
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.41	$ 0.41	$ 5.57	$ 1.72
Dividends per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.125	$ 0.10	$ 0.375	$ 0.30