CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 25, 2010	$ 401	$ 263,233	$ 611,279	$ (37,046)	$ (49,131)	$ 27,161
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 25, 2010	40,092				2,237
Additional paid-in capital:
Issuance of shares under incentive stock option plans		2,340			10,637
Stock-based compensation expense		3,482
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options		853
Issuance of restricted stock		(2,972)			2,972
Retained earnings:
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.			86,321				86,321
Dividends paid or payable to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.			(15,220)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income:
Total other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.				(12,363)
Treasury stock:
Issuance of shares under incentive stock option plans (in shares)					(464)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)					214
Repurchase of common stock					(9,098)
Issuance of restricted stock (in shares)					(132)
Noncontrolling interest:
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest						765	765
Foreign currency translation						1,148	232
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	401	266,936	682,380	(49,409)	(44,620)	29,074
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	40,092				1,855
Additional paid-in capital:
Issuance of shares under incentive stock option plans		(4,303)			20,881
Stock-based compensation expense		6,136
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options		2,528
Issuance of restricted stock		(3,471)			3,471
Retained earnings:
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.			82,395				82,395
Dividends paid or payable to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.			(14,998)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income:
Total other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.				6,786
Treasury stock:
Issuance of shares under incentive stock option plans (in shares)					(576)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)					10,855
Repurchase of common stock					(448,205)
Issuance of restricted stock (in shares)					(142)
Noncontrolling interest:
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest						1,278	1,278
Foreign currency translation						706	8,070
Balance at Dec. 29, 2012	401	267,826	749,777	(42,623)	(468,473)	31,058	537,966
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 29, 2012	40,092				11,992
Additional paid-in capital:
Issuance of shares under incentive stock option plans		(1,205)			4,716
Stock-based compensation expense		5,704
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options		719
Issuance of restricted stock		(5,902)			5,902
Retained earnings:
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.			172,600				172,600
Dividends paid or payable to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.			(14,103)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income:
Total other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.				31,804			31,804
Treasury stock:
Issuance of shares under incentive stock option plans (in shares)					(122)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)					70		2,400
Repurchase of common stock					(3,738)
Issuance of restricted stock (in shares)					(151)
Noncontrolling interest:
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest						689	689
Foreign currency translation						715	3,285
Balance at Dec. 28, 2013	$ 401	$ 267,142	$ 908,274	$ (10,819)	$ (461,593)	$ 32,462	$ 735,867
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 28, 2013	40,092				11,789