Note 13 - Share-Based Compensation (Detail) - Summary of Significant Assumptions for Share-based Compensation Awards (USD $)	12 Months Ended				24 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2012
Risk free interest rate (1)
Expected award life (2)	5 years
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]
Exercise price
Exercise Price (in Dollars per share)	$ 13.15		$ 11.24		$ 13.15
Market price
Market Price (in Dollars per share)	$ 13.15		$ 11.24
Risk free interest rate (1)
Risk Free Interest Rate	0.80%	[1]	2.30%	[1]
Expected award life (2)					5 years	[2]
Expected volatility (3)
Expected Volatility	45.10%	[3]	43.50%	[3]
Expected dividend yield (4)
Exoected Dividend Yield	4.10%	[4]	4.80%	[4]
Stock Options [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Exercise price
Exercise Price (in Dollars per share)	$ 11.72		$ 11.10		$ 11.72
Market price
Market Price (in Dollars per share)	$ 11.72		$ 11.10
Risk free interest rate (1)
Risk Free Interest Rate	0.70%	[1]	1.20%	[1]
Expected award life (2)					5 years	[2]
Expected volatility (3)
Expected Volatility	36.40%	[3]	35.50%	[3]
Expected dividend yield (4)
Exoected Dividend Yield	4.10%	[4]	4.50%	[4]
Stock Options [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Exercise price
Exercise Price (in Dollars per share)	$ 13.15		$ 11.95		$ 13.15
Market price
Market Price (in Dollars per share)	$ 13.15		$ 11.95
Risk free interest rate (1)
Risk Free Interest Rate	1.90%	[1]	3.20%	[1]
Expected award life (2)					10 years	[2]
Expected volatility (3)
Expected Volatility	45.90%	[3]	43.90%	[3]
Expected dividend yield (4)
Exoected Dividend Yield	4.60%	[4]	4.90%	[4]
Stock Options [Member]
Risk free interest rate (1)
Risk Free Interest Rate		[1]		[1]
Expected volatility (3)
Expected Volatility		[3]		[3]
Expected dividend yield (4)
Exoected Dividend Yield		[4]		[4]

[1] The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield of a U.S. treasury bond with a similar maturity as the expected life of the awards.

[2] The expected life in years for awards granted was based on the historical exercise patterns experienced by the Company when the award is made.

[3] The determination of expected stock price volatility for awards granted in each of the two years ended December 31, was based on historical Superior common stock prices over a period commensurate with the expected life.

[4] The dividend yield assumption is based on the history and expectation of the Company's dividend payouts.