Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 location	Dec. 31, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010 Simpson Dura-Vent Company, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2010 Simpson Dura-Vent Company, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2011 Simpson Dura-Vent Company, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2011 Germany	Dec. 31, 2011 North America	Dec. 31, 2010 North America	Dec. 31, 2011 Europe	Dec. 31, 2010 Europe	Dec. 31, 2011 Asia/Pacific	Dec. 31, 2010 Asia/Pacific
Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Number of Locations	1
Carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment
Marginal percentage by which the company passed annual impairment test						10.00%
Balance at the beginning of the year
Goodwill	$ 94,426	$ 95,256		$ 4,435	$ 4,435		$ 52,427	$ 52,241	$ 35,623	$ 36,864	$ 1,941	$ 1,716
Accumulated impairment losses	(24,357)	(13,630)			(4,435)		(10,666)	(10,666)	(9,256)	(2,964)
Goodwill at the beginning of the period, net	70,069	81,626		4,435			41,761	41,575	26,367	33,900	1,941	1,716
Goodwill acquired	32,230	1,100					32,230			1,100
Foreign exchange	(833)	(1,930)					(90)	186	(750)	(2,341)	7	225
Impairment	(1,282)	(10,727)	(4,400)	(4,435)		(2,300)			(1,282)	(6,292)
Reclassifications	(335)								(335)
Balance at the end of the year
Goodwill	125,488	94,426		4,435	4,435		84,567	52,427	34,538	35,623	1,948	1,941
Accumulated impairment losses	(25,639)	(24,357)		(4,435)	(4,435)		(10,666)	(10,666)	(10,538)	(9,256)
Goodwill at the end of the period, net	$ 99,849	$ 70,069					$ 73,901	$ 41,761	$ 24,000	$ 26,367	$ 1,948	$ 1,941