CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2020	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 26, 2020	Sep. 28, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Consolidated net income	$ 43,957	$ 30,444	$ 106,395	$ 76,259
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	9,320	(6,692)	(11,514)	(3,612)
Net change with respect to derivative instruments and hedging activities, net of tax of $(43), $56, $(53), and $(34)	151	(195)	192	133
Net change in pension and postretirement obligation adjustments, net of tax of $92, $(232), $224, and $(323)	(170)	777	(715)	1,207
Attributable to unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax of $(99), $(159), $163, and $(240)	339	547	(564)	828
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net	9,640	(5,563)	(12,601)	(1,444)
Consolidated comprehensive income	53,597	24,881	93,794	74,815
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(2,207)	(857)	(3,062)	(2,044)
Comprehensive income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	$ 51,390	$ 24,024	$ 90,732	$ 72,771