CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Consolidated net income	$ 22,340us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 24,954us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	(8,404)	1,167
Net change with respect to derivative instruments and hedging activities, net of tax of $274 in 2015 and $590 in 2014	(198)	(1,116)
Net actuarial loss on pension and postretirement obligations, net of tax of $(501) in 2015 and $28 in 2014	1,416	3
Other, net	(27)	(15)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	(7,213)	39
Comprehensive income	15,127	24,993
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest	345	(253)
Comprehensive income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	$ 15,472us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	$ 24,740us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss), attributable to noncontrolling interests. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments, of increase (decrease) in accumulated gain (loss) from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges and an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gain (loss), attributable to parent entity.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of gain (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency transactions designated and effective as economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity and intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss).

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Amount after tax of reclassification adjustment from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for actuarial gain (loss) related to pension and other postretirement benefit plans.

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The change in other comprehensive income during the reporting period, net of tax, for an item that is not separately disclosed.

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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