CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 01, 2017	Jul. 02, 2016	Jul. 01, 2017	Jul. 02, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Consolidated net income	$ 27,833	$ 28,259	$ 58,288	$ 56,924
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	906	(10,186)	8,116	(11,297)
Net change with respect to derivative instruments and hedging activities, net of tax of $(89), $(266), $(185), $(487)	261	700	317	1,294
Net change in pension and postretirement obligation adjustments, net of tax of $172, $(522), $183, $(920)	(405)	1,530	(365)	2,702
Attributable to unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax of $(704), $(812), $199, $(812)	1,247	1,438	(351)	1,438
Other, net	(236)	9	(380)	23
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net	1,773	(6,509)	7,337	(5,840)
Consolidated comprehensive income	29,606	21,750	65,625	51,084
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(386)	123	(1,503)	862
Comprehensive income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	$ 29,220	$ 21,873	$ 64,122	$ 51,946