Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Effect of Fourth Quarter Events [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 415,075	$ 645,779	$ 851,855	$ 450,430	$ 376,442	$ 615,536	$ 848,240	$ 406,344	$ 2,363,139	$ 2,246,562	$ 2,079,700
Gross profit	118,295	184,288	248,260	124,801	106,020	176,244	246,976	114,100	675,644	643,340	591,277
Net income (loss)	2,579	39,403	77,809	8,433	(1,979)	34,958	73,863	4,188	128,224	111,030	97,330
Net income (loss) attributable to Pool Corporation	$ 2,486	$ 39,447	$ 77,924	$ 8,419	$ (2,195)	$ 34,836	$ 73,863	$ 4,188	$ 128,275	$ 110,692	$ 97,330
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.06	$ 0.92	$ 1.80	$ 0.19	$ (0.05)	$ 0.80	$ 1.65	$ 0.09	$ 2.98	$ 2.50	$ 2.10
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.06	$ 0.90	$ 1.75	$ 0.19	$ (0.05)	$ 0.78	$ 1.61	$ 0.09	$ 2.90	$ 2.44	$ 2.05