Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Relationship with AWI (Details)

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Relationship with AWI (Details) - USD ($)
 9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Apr. 01, 2016
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]          
Rent payments due in 2017   $ 8,200,000 $ 8,200,000    
Rent payments due in 2018   7,700,000 7,700,000    
Rent payments due in 2019   7,300,000 7,300,000    
Rent payments due in 2020   6,800,000 6,800,000    
Rent payments due in 2021   2,400,000 2,400,000    
Armstrong World Industries | Allocation of corporate and other expenses          
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]          
Expenses from transactions with related party   0 800,000 $ 47,800,000 $ 39,500,000
Armstrong World Industries | Allocation of corporate and other expenses | Cost of goods sold          
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]          
Expenses from transactions with related party     0 10,000,000 800,000
Armstrong World Industries | Allocation of corporate and other expenses | Selling, general and administrative expenses          
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]          
Expenses from transactions with related party     500,000 34,300,000 33,400,000
Armstrong World Industries | Allocation of corporate and other expenses | Other expense, net          
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]          
Expenses from transactions with related party     300,000 $ 3,500,000 $ 5,300,000
Armstrong World Industries | Campus lease agreement          
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]          
Term of campus lease agreement 5 years        
Rent expense     4,200,000    
Rent payments due in 2017   5,600,000 5,600,000    
Rent payments due in 2018   5,600,000 5,600,000    
Rent payments due in 2019   5,600,000 5,600,000    
Rent payments due in 2020   5,600,000 5,600,000    
Rent payments due in 2021   $ 1,400,000 $ 1,400,000