Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Reclassification Adjustments Out of AOCI (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2017	Apr. 02, 2016
Reclassification adjustments out of AOCI [Abstract]
Cost of goods sold	$ (488,427)	$ (446,642)
Interest expense	(2,531)	(1,848)
Selling, general, and administrative expense	(35,531)	(35,780)
Other income, net	551	245
Income tax expense	(11,929)	(14,121)
Consolidated net income	30,455	28,665
Noncontrolling interests	468	35
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	29,987	28,630
Unrealized (Losses) Gains on Derivatives [Member] | Amount Reclassified from AOCI [Member]
Reclassification adjustments out of AOCI [Abstract]
Cost of goods sold	422	237
Interest expense	232	108
Income tax expense	(153)	(208)
Consolidated net income	501	137
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	501	137
Amortization of Net Loss and Prior Service Cost on Employee Benefit Plans [Member] | Amount Reclassified from AOCI [Member]
Reclassification adjustments out of AOCI [Abstract]
Selling, general, and administrative expense	326	552
Income tax expense	(64)	(140)
Consolidated net income	262	412
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	262	412
Sale of Available-For-Sale Securities [Member] | Amount Reclassified from AOCI [Member]
Reclassification adjustments out of AOCI [Abstract]
Other income, net	(254)	0
Income tax expense	94	0
Consolidated net income	(160)	0
Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] | Amount Reclassified from AOCI [Member]
Reclassification adjustments out of AOCI [Abstract]
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Member] | Amount Reclassified from AOCI [Member]
Reclassification adjustments out of AOCI [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	$ (160)	$ 0