Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015	Oct. 01, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			$ 827,285
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			(4,307)	$ (16,038)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI			896	3,877
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)			(3,411)	(12,161)
Ending balance	$ 893,772		893,772
Reclassification adjustments out of AOCI [Abstract]
Cost of goods sold	(424,668)	$ (467,167)	(1,327,370)	(1,398,366)
Selling, general, and administrative expense	(32,413)	(32,241)	(102,707)	(97,922)
Interest expense	(1,830)	(1,682)	(5,370)	(5,977)
Income tax expense	(10,837)	(5,223)	(38,963)	(36,374)
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	25,978	17,800	82,405	73,429
Noncontrolling interests	84	295	581	868
Consolidated net income	26,062	18,095	82,986	74,297
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(54,990)	(42,923)
Ending balance	(58,401)	(55,084)	(58,401)	(55,084)
Cumulative Translation Adjustment [Member]
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(24,773)	(7,076)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			(14,638)	(12,099)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI			0	0
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)			(14,638)	(12,099)
Ending balance	(39,411)	(19,175)	(39,411)	(19,175)
Unrealized (Losses) Gains on Derivatives [Member]
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(2,009)	(953)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			1,446	(4,403)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI			(291)	2,387
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)			1,155	(2,016)
Ending balance	(854)	(2,969)	(854)	(2,969)
Unrealized (Losses) Gains on Derivatives [Member] | Amount Reclassified from AOCI [Member]
Reclassification adjustments out of AOCI [Abstract]
Cost of goods sold	848	2,339	(1,023)	2,990
Interest expense	91	91	291	295
Income tax expense	(67)	(664)	441	(898)
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	872	1,766	(291)	2,387
Noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Consolidated net income	872	1,766	(291)	2,387
Minimum Pension/OPEB Liability Adjustment [Member]
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(28,429)	(35,164)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			2,258	510
Amounts reclassified from AOCI			1,187	1,490
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)			3,445	2,000
Ending balance	(24,984)	(33,164)	(24,984)	(33,164)
Minimum Pension/OPEB Liability Adjustment [Member] | Amount Reclassified from AOCI [Member]
Reclassification adjustments out of AOCI [Abstract]
Selling, general, and administrative expense	527	680	1,581	2,040
Income tax expense	(132)	(188)	(394)	(550)
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	395	492	1,187	1,490
Noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Consolidated net income	395	492	1,187	1,490
Other [Member]
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			221	270
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			6,627	(46)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI			0	0
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)			6,627	(46)
Ending balance	$ 6,848	$ 224	$ 6,848	$ 224