Financial Data for Continuing Operations for Company's Reportable Business Segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 802,004	$ 843,859
Products and services revenues	753,305	792,316
Earnings (Loss) from operations	39,081	77,150
Building Materials Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	732,742	775,282
Products and services revenues	688,436	728,014
Earnings (Loss) from operations	43,159	84,689
Operating Segments | Mid-America Group | Building Materials Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	178,781	189,019
Products and services revenues	167,890	177,407
Earnings (Loss) from operations	6,167	13,342
Operating Segments | Southeast Group | Building Materials Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	80,239	90,282
Products and services revenues	77,563	86,726
Earnings (Loss) from operations	2,041	10,115
Operating Segments | West Group | Building Materials Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	473,722	495,981
Products and services revenues	442,983	463,881
Earnings (Loss) from operations	34,951	61,232
Operating Segments | Magnesia Specialties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	69,262	68,577
Products and services revenues	64,869	64,302
Earnings (Loss) from operations	21,237	19,881
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings (Loss) from operations	$ (25,315)	$ (27,420)