Headwaters 10-Q 5 Feb 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 30, 2015
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	HEADWATERS INC
Entity Central Index Key	1003344
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-21
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		73,697,337
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$151,778	$152,542
Trade receivables, net	85,980	119,330
Inventories	56,559	50,633
Current and deferred income taxes	12,009	11,076
Other	10,673	10,536
Total current assets	316,999	344,117
Property, plant and equipment, net	181,995	182,111
Other assets:
Goodwill	175,545	175,586
Intangible assets, net	157,075	159,863
Other	42,694	41,750
Total other assets	375,314	377,199
Total assets	874,308	903,427
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	15,782	27,026
Accrued personnel costs	28,461	48,902
Accrued interest	14,456	18,273
Current income taxes	0	368
Other accrued liabilities	37,481	41,757
Total current liabilities	96,180	136,326
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt	599,619	599,579
Income taxes	23,242	23,242
Other	32,076	28,586
Total long-term liabilities	654,937	651,407
Total liabilities	751,117	787,733
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiary	13,252	13,252
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value; authorized 200,000 shares; issued and outstanding: 73,510 shares at September 30, 2014 (including 61 shares held in treasury) and 73,686 shares at December 31, 2014 (including 65 shares held in treasury)	74	74
Capital in excess of par value	724,367	723,648
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	-613,849	-620,688
Treasury stock	-653	-592
Total stockholders' equity	109,939	102,442
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$874,308	$903,427

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, authorized shares	200,000	200,000
Common stock, issued shares	73,686	73,510
Common stock, outstanding shares	73,686	73,510
Common stock, held in treasury (in shares)	65	61

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenue:
Total revenue	$199,597	$165,615
Cost of revenue:
Total cost of revenue	143,910	124,722
Gross profit	55,687	40,893
Operating expenses:
Amortization	4,486	5,106
Selling, general and administrative	32,029	28,227
Total operating expenses	36,515	33,333
Operating income	19,172	7,560
Other income (expense):
Net interest expense	-11,952	-10,056
Other, net	-269	12
Total other income (expense), net	-12,221	-10,044
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	6,951	-2,484
Income tax benefit	200	350
Income (loss) from continuing operations	7,151	-2,134
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	-67	700
Net income (loss)	7,084	-1,434
Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interest	-245	6
Net income (loss) attributable to Headwaters Incorporated	6,839	-1,428
Basic and diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Headwaters Incorporated:
From continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.09	($0.03)
From discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$0	$0.01
Earnings (loss) per share, basic and diluted, total (in dollars per share)	$0.09	($0.02)
Building Products
Revenue:
Total revenue	117,534	93,012
Cost of revenue:
Total cost of revenue	84,192	69,338
Construction Materials
Revenue:
Total revenue	81,404	71,521
Cost of revenue:
Total cost of revenue	59,511	54,765
Energy Technology
Revenue:
Total revenue	659	1,082
Cost of revenue:
Total cost of revenue	$207	$619

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)	Common stock	Capital in excess of par value	Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	Treasury stock	Total
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Balances at Sep. 30, 2014	$74	$723,648	($620,688)	($592)	$102,442
Balances (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2014	73,510
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock purchase plan	0	315			315
Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock purchase plan (in shares)	27
Issuance of restricted stock, net of cancellations	0				0
Issuance of restricted stock, net of cancellations (in shares)	115
Exercise of stock appreciation rights	0				0
Exercise of stock appreciation rights (in shares)	34
Stock-based compensation		619			619
Net 4 share increase in treasury stock held for deferred compensation plan obligations, at cost		61		-61	0
Adjustment of estimated redemption value of non-controlling interest		-276			-276
Net income attributable to Headwaters Incorporated			6,839		6,839
Balances at Dec. 31, 2014	$74	$724,367	($613,849)	($653)	$109,939
Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014	73,686

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Increase (decrease) in treasury stock held for deferred compensation plan obligations (in shares)	4

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$7,084	($1,434)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	12,910	13,047
Interest expense related to amortization of debt issue costs and debt discount	525	570
Stock-based compensation	619	466
Net loss on disposition of property, plant and equipment	107	361
Loss (gain) on sale of discontinued operations, net of income taxes	45	-964
Net loss of unconsolidated joint ventures	221	49
Decrease in trade receivables	33,737	38,929
Increase in inventories	-4,815	-4,782
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-40,436	-32,850
Other changes in operating assets and liabilities, net	-1,849	-2,779
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	8,148	10,613
Cash flows from investing activities:
Business acquisitions	-1,200	-57,550
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	-125	-750
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	-8,771	-6,888
Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment	325	111
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations	0	4,666
Net decrease in long-term receivables and deposits	940	2,810
Net change in other assets	125	135
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-8,706	-57,466
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	146,650
Other debt issue costs	0	-105
Dividends paid to non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiary	-521	0
Employee stock purchases	315	319
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-206	146,864
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-764	100,011
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	152,542	75,316
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$151,778	$175,327

Nature_of_Operations_and_Basis

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation
	1.Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation
	Description of Business and Organization — Headwaters Incorporated (Headwaters) is a building materials company incorporated in Delaware, providing products and services in two core business segments.
	The building products segment designs, manufactures, and sells a wide variety of building products, including exterior vinyl siding accessories (such as shutters, mounting blocks, and vents), manufactured architectural stone, roofing materials and concrete block. Revenues from Headwaters’ building products businesses are diversified geographically and also by market, including the new housing and residential repair and remodel markets, as well as commercial construction markets.
	The construction materials segment is the nationwide leader in the management and marketing of coal combustion products (CCPs), including fly ash which is primarily sold directly to concrete manufacturers who use it as a mineral admixture for the partial replacement of portland cement in concrete. Headwaters’ construction materials business is comprised of a nationwide supply, storage and distribution network. Headwaters also provides services to electric utilities related to the management of CCPs.
	In addition to the two building materials segments described above, Headwaters also has a non-core energy technology segment which has been focused on reducing waste and increasing the value of energy-related feedstocks, primarily in the areas of low-value oil and coal. In oil, Headwaters’ heavy oil upgrading process uses a liquid catalyst precursor to generate a highly active molecular catalyst to convert low-value residual oil into higher-value distillates that can be further refined into gasoline, diesel and other products. In coal, Headwaters owned and operated coal cleaning facilities that separate ash from waste coal to provide a refined coal product that is higher in Btu value and lower in impurities than the feedstock coal. As described in Note 4, Headwaters disposed of its remaining coal cleaning facilities in January 2013 and the results of Headwaters’ coal cleaning operations have been presented as discontinued operations for all periods.
	Basis of Presentation — Headwaters’ fiscal year ends on September 30 and unless otherwise noted, references to years refer to Headwaters’ fiscal year rather than a calendar year. The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Headwaters, all of its subsidiaries and other entities in which Headwaters has a controlling interest. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts are eliminated in consolidation. Due to the seasonality of most of Headwaters’ operations and other factors, the consolidated results of operations for any particular period are not indicative of the results to be expected for a full fiscal year. In the December 2013 quarter, approximately 14% of Headwaters’ total revenue and cost of revenue was for services. In the December 2014 quarter, approximately 10% of Headwaters’ total revenue and cost of revenue was for services. Substantially all service-related revenue for both periods was in the construction materials segment.
	The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included, and consist of normal recurring adjustments. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Headwaters’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2014 (Form 10-K).
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements — In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC Topic 606). This new revenue standard creates a single source of revenue guidance for all companies in all industries and is more principles-based than current revenue guidance. For Headwaters, the mandatory adoption date of ASC 606 is October 1, 2017 and there are two methods of adoption allowed, either a “full” retrospective adoption or a “modified” retrospective adoption. Headwaters is currently evaluating the impact of ASC 606, but at the current time does not know what impact the new standard will have on revenue recognized and other accounting decisions in future periods, if any, nor what method of adoption will be selected if the impact is material.
	Headwaters has reviewed other recently issued accounting standards which have not yet been adopted in order to determine their potential effect, if any, on the results of operations or financial position of Headwaters. Based on the review of these other recently issued standards, Headwaters does not currently believe that any of those accounting pronouncements will have a significant effect on its current or future financial position, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures.
	Reclassifications — Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation. The reclassifications had no effect on net income or total assets.

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting
Segment Reporting
	2.Segment Reporting
	Headwaters currently operates three business segments: building products, construction materials and energy technology. These segments are managed and evaluated separately by management due to differences in their markets, operations, products and services. Revenues for the building products segment consist of product sales to wholesale and retail distributors, contractors and other users of building products. Revenues for the construction materials segment consist primarily of CCP sales to ready-mix concrete businesses, with a smaller amount from services provided to coal-fueled electric generating utilities. Currently, continuing revenues for the energy technology segment consist primarily of catalyst sales to oil refineries. As described in Note 4, Headwaters sold all of its coal cleaning facilities in fiscal 2012 and 2013 and the results of operations have been reflected as discontinued operations in the accompanying statements of operations for all periods. Intersegment sales are immaterial.
	The following segment information has been prepared in accordance with ASC Topic 280 Segment Reporting. Segment performance is evaluated primarily on revenue and operating income, although other factors are also used, such as Adjusted EBITDA. Headwaters defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income plus net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, cash-based compensation tied to stock price, goodwill and other impairments, and other non-routine adjustments that arise from time to time.
	Segment costs and expenses considered in deriving segment operating income (loss) include cost of revenue, amortization, and segment-specific selling, general and administrative expenses. Amounts included in the Corporate column represent expenses that are not allocated to any segment and include administrative departmental costs and general corporate overhead. Segment assets reflect those specifically attributable to individual segments and primarily include cash, accounts receivable, inventories, property, plant and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets. Certain other assets are included in the Corporate column. The net operating results of the discontinued coal cleaning business are reflected in the single line item for discontinued operations.
		Three Months Ended December 31, 2013
		Building			Construction			Energy			Corporate			Totals
	(in thousands)	products			materials			technology
	Segment revenue	$	93,012		$	71,521		$	1,082		$	0		$	165,615
	Depreciation and amortization	$	(9,212	)	$	(3,286	)	$	(488	)	$	(61	)	$	(13,047	)
	Operating income (loss)	$	5,086		$	9,933		$	(2,286	)	$	(5,173	)	$	7,560
	Net interest expense													(10,056		)
	Other income (expense), net													12
	Income tax benefit													350
	Loss from continuing operations													(2,134		)
	Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes													700
	Net loss													$	(1,434	)
	Capital expenditures	$	4,452		$	1,185		$	230		$	1,021		$	6,888
	Segment assets as of September 30, 2014	$	411,968		$	325,140		$	22,674		$	143,645		$	903,427
		Three Months Ended December 31, 2014
		Building			Construction			Energy			Corporate			Totals
	(in thousands)	products			materials			technology
	Segment revenue	$	117,534		$	81,404		$	659		$	0		$	199,597
	Depreciation and amortization	$	(8,713	)	$	(3,736	)	$	(353	)	$	(108	)	$	(12,910	)
	Operating income (loss)	$	11,948		$	13,488		$	(1,611	)	$	(4,653	)	$	19,172
	Net interest expense													(11,952		)
	Other income (expense), net													(269		)
	Income tax benefit													200
	Income from continuing operations													7,151
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes													(67		)
	Net income													$	7,084
	Capital expenditures	$	6,021		$	1,348		$	168		$	1,234		$	8,771
	Segment assets as of December 31, 2014	$	394,675		$	317,097		$	23,185		$	139,351		$	874,308

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Acquisitions
Acquisitions
	3.Acquisitions
	Entegra — On December 12, 2013, Headwaters acquired 80% of the equity interests of Roof Tile Acquisition, LLC, a privately-held Florida-based company in the building products industry, which markets its products primarily under the Entegra brand. Entegra’s results of operations have been included with Headwaters’ consolidated results beginning December 13, 2013.
	Entegra is a leading manufacturer of concrete roof tiles and accessories which are sold primarily into the Florida market. The acquisition of Entegra provides additional product offerings to Headwaters’ current roofing products portfolio. Headwaters believes the strategic location of Entegra’s centralized manufacturing plant in Florida, the quality of its contractor/customer relationships, and the scope of its products and services provide a competitive advantage. Many of its customers are currently customers of Headwaters, and provide Headwaters the opportunity to expand existing sales and distribution within the Florida market, which is one of the fastest growing states in the U.S. in terms of population.
	Total consideration paid for Entegra was approximately $57.5 million, all of which was cash. Direct acquisition costs, consisting primarily of fees for legal services, totaled approximately $0.4 million and were included in selling, general and administrative expense in the statement of operations for fiscal 2014. Headwaters has the right, but not the obligation, to acquire the non-controlling 20% equity interest in Entegra for a stipulated multiple of EBITDA adjusted for certain prescribed items. This call right is exercisable at any time after five years following the date of acquisition, unless certain defined events occur prior to that time, in which case the right is exercisable earlier. The non-controlling owners have the right, but not the obligation, to require Headwaters to acquire the non-controlling 20% equity interest, again for a stipulated multiple of EBITDA adjusted for certain prescribed items. This put right is exercisable at any time after 18 months following the date of acquisition, unless certain defined events under Headwaters’ control occur prior to that time, in which case the right is exercisable earlier.
	The Entegra acquisition has been accounted for as a business combination in accordance with the requirements of ASC 805 Business Combinations. The following table sets forth the estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date:
		(in thousands)
	Current assets	$	8,261
	Current liabilities	(3,422		)
	Property, plant and equipment	10,589
	Intangible assets:
	Customer relationships (15 year life)	20,600
	Trade name (indefinite life)	6,600
	Goodwill	28,156
	Net assets acquired	70,784
	Less redeemable non-controlling interest	(13,252		)
	Net assets attributable to Headwaters	$	57,532
	Entegra’s future growth attributable to new customers, geographic market presence and assembled workforce are additional assets that are not separable and which contributed to recorded goodwill, all of which is tax deductible over 15 years.
	Gerard — On May 16, 2014, Headwaters acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of the roofing products business of Metals USA Building Products, L.P., which products are marketed under the Gerard and Allmet brands. Gerard’s results of operations are being reported within the building products segment and have been included with Headwaters’ consolidated results beginning May 16, 2014.
	Gerard is one of the largest manufacturers of stone coated metal roofing materials in the U.S. and sells niche roofing products that combine profiles resembling tile, shake, or slate with a fire proof material and a low lifetime installed cost. The acquisition of Gerard increases the number of specialty niche roofing products that Headwaters provides to its core customers and is an area of focus for Headwaters. With the addition of Gerard, Headwaters now has three product categories in niche roofing, including resin-based composite, concrete, and metal, which could increase opportunities for cross selling. Besides broadening the niche roofing product lines, Gerard also expands Headwaters geographic footprint in the roofing category.
	Total consideration paid for Gerard was approximately $27.0 million, all of which was cash. Direct acquisition costs, consisting primarily of fees for legal services, totaled approximately $0.3 million and were included in selling, general and administrative expense in the statement of operations for fiscal 2014.
	The Gerard acquisition has been accounted for as a business combination in accordance with the requirements of ASC 805 Business Combinations. The following table sets forth the estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date, using available information and assumptions Headwaters deems to be reasonable at the current time. Headwaters is in the process of finalizing all of the estimated amounts shown below, including the third-party valuations of the fair values of the acquired intangible assets; therefore, the provisional measurements shown in the table are subject to change.
		(in thousands)
	Current assets	$	9,236
	Current liabilities	(1,869		)
	Property, plant and equipment	8,314
	Intangible assets:
	Customer relationships (15 year life)	4,000
	Trade name (indefinite life)	3,900
	Goodwill	7,291
	Long-term liabilities	(3,906		)
	Net assets acquired	$	26,966
	The process of identifying and valuing the intangible assets that were acquired has not been completed. When this process is completed and estimated useful lives are finalized, amortization of the intangible assets will be adjusted effective as of May 16, 2014 if necessary. Gerard’s future growth attributable to new customers, geographic market presence and assembled workforce are additional assets that are not separable and which contributed to recorded goodwill, most of which is tax deductible over 15 years.
	Other — Investments in entities in which Headwaters has a significant influence over operating and financial decisions are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Headwaters acquired 100% of one such equity method investee in the December 2014 quarter for a cash payment of approximately $1.2 million.
	Redeemable Non-controlling Interest in Consolidated Subsidiary — As described above, Headwaters acquired 80% of the equity interests of Entegra, and the non-controlling owners have the right to require Headwaters to acquire the non-controlling 20% equity interest. This put right is not deemed to be a freestanding financial instrument and because it is not solely within the control of Headwaters, the non-controlling interest does not qualify as permanent equity and has been reported outside the stockholders’ equity section of the balance sheet as temporary, or mezzanine, equity. The value of the non-controlling interest was affected by the lack of control as well as the estimated fair values of the put and call rights.
	Because there is no fixed or probable redemption date for the put right, Headwaters adjusts quarterly the carrying value of the non-controlling interest to reflect its estimated redemption value at each period end.  Estimated redemption value is calculated primarily using the EBITDA formula described previously for determining the price that would be paid if the put right were to have been exercised at the end of the reporting period, except that the adjusted carrying amount cannot be decreased below the original acquisition date redemption amount.
	The following table summarizes the activity of the non-controlling interest in the December 2014 quarter:
		(in thousands)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	13,252
	Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	245
	Dividends	(521		)
	Adjustment of estimated redemption value	276
	Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	13,252

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations
Discontinued Operations
	4.Discontinued Operations
	In September 2011, the Board of Directors committed to a plan to sell Headwaters’ coal cleaning business, which was part of the energy technology segment. At that time the business met all of the criteria for classification as held for sale and presentation as a discontinued operation. Following the sale of all remaining coal cleaning facilities in January 2013, there are no remaining assets held for sale. The results of operations for the coal cleaning business have been presented as discontinued operations for all periods presented and certain summarized information for the discontinued business is presented in the following table:
		Three Months Ended
		December 31,
	(in thousands)	2013			2014
	Revenue	$	0		$	0
	Loss from operations of discontinued operations before income taxes	$	(264	)	$	(22	)
	Gain (loss) on disposal	964			(45		)
	Income tax provision	0			0
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	$	700		$	(67	)
	Headwaters sold all of its coal cleaning facilities in fiscal 2012 and 2013, and recognized estimated gains on the sales dates. Subsequent to the dates of sale, some adjustments of the previously recognized estimated gains on the sales transactions have been recorded, including the reported amounts reflected in the table above. Headwaters currently expects that additional adjustments to the recognized gains and losses may be recorded in the future as certain contingencies are resolved. The loss from operations reflected in the table includes expenses for certain litigation which commenced prior to disposal of the business.
	For all sales transactions, a majority of the consideration is in the form of potential production royalties and deferred purchase price, which amounts are dependent upon future plant production levels over several years. Potential future production royalties and deferred purchase price on the sales transactions were not considered as being probable in the original gain calculations and are being accounted for in the periods when such amounts are received.
	In accordance with the terms of the asset purchase agreement for one of the sales transactions, the buyer of the coal cleaning facilities agreed to assume the lease and reclamation obligations related to certain of the facilities. Subsequent to the date of sale, Headwaters amended the purchase agreement to provide the buyer with additional time to make payments to Headwaters, as well as fulfill contractual requirements related to the assumed reclamation obligations. As of December 31, 2014, Headwaters remains contingently liable for one of the assumed obligations and has accrued approximately $8.0 million to meet that contingent liability as necessary. Headwaters has also reserved certain receivables due from the buyer until such time as collection is more certain.
	Headwaters currently expects to continue to reflect as discontinued operations all activity related to the former coal cleaning business, at least until such time as the significant reclamation contingency is resolved.

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventories
Inventories
	5.Inventories
	Inventories consisted of the following at:
	(in thousands)	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2014
	Raw materials	$	12,017	$	13,543
	Finished goods	38,616		43,016
		$	50,633	$	56,559

Intangible_Assets

Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Intangible Assets
Intangible Assets
	6.Intangible Assets
	The following table summarizes the gross carrying amounts and related accumulated amortization of intangible assets as of:
				September 30, 2014				December 31, 2014
		Estimated		Gross		Accumulated		Gross		Accumulated
		useful lives		Carrying		Amortization		Carrying		Amortization
	(in thousands of dollars)			Amount				Amount
	Trade names	Indefinite		$	15,300	—		$	15,300	—
	CCP contracts	15 - 20 years		112,300		$	64,192	112,300		$	65,613
	Customer relationships	5 - 17 years		107,953		50,355		109,102		52,234
	Trade names	5 - 20 years		67,220		33,394		67,220		34,249
	Patents and patented technologies	5 - 19 years		14,526		11,686		14,526		11,908
	Other	5 - 17 years		3,935		1,744		4,484		1,853
				$	321,234	$	161,371	$	322,932	$	165,857
	Total amortization expense related to intangible assets was approximately $5.1 million and $4.5 million for the December 2013 and 2014 quarters, respectively. The primary reason for the decrease in amortization expense from 2013 to 2014 is that certain assets have been fully amortized.
	Total estimated annual amortization expense for 2015 through 2020 is shown in the following table:
	Year ending September 30:	(in thousands)
	2015	$	18,129
	2016	17,910
	2017	17,032
	2018	16,983
	2019	15,954
	2020	11,747

Longterm_Debt

Long-term Debt	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Long-term Debt
Long-term Debt
	7.Long-term Debt
	The total undiscounted face amount of Headwaters’ outstanding long-term debt was approximately $599.8 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2014. As of those dates, the discounted carrying value of long-term debt consisted of the following:
		September 30,		December 31,
	(in thousands)	2014		2014
	7-5/8% Senior secured notes, due April 2019	$	400,000	$	400,000
	7¼% Senior notes, due January 2019	150,000		150,000
	8.75% Convertible senior subordinated notes due February 2016 (face amount $49,791), net of discount	49,579		49,619
	Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of discount	$	599,579	$	599,619
	7-5/8% Senior Secured Notes — In 2011, Headwaters issued $400.0 million of 7-5/8% senior secured notes for net proceeds of approximately $392.8 million. The 7-5/8% notes mature in April 2019 and bear interest at a rate of 7.625%, payable semiannually. The notes are secured by substantially all assets of Headwaters; however, the note holders have a second priority position with respect to the assets that secure the ABL Revolver described below, currently consisting of certain trade receivables and inventories of Headwaters’ building products and construction materials segments. The notes are senior in priority to the 7¼% senior notes described below to the extent of the value of the assets securing the 7-5/8% notes, and are senior to all other outstanding and future subordinated debt.
	Headwaters can redeem the 7-5/8% notes, in whole or in part, at any time after March 31, 2015 at redemption prices that decline over time from 103.8% to 100.0%, depending on the redemption date. Headwaters can also redeem any portion of the notes at any time through March 31, 2015 at a price equal to 100% plus a make-whole premium. If there is a change in control, Headwaters will be required to offer to purchase the notes from holders at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount.
	The senior secured notes limit Headwaters in the incurrence of additional debt and liens on assets, prepayment of future new subordinated debt, merging or consolidating with another company, selling all or substantially all assets, making investments and the payment of dividends or distributions, among other things. Headwaters was in compliance with all debt covenants as of December 31, 2014.
	7¼% Senior Notes — In December 2013, Headwaters issued $150.0 million of 7¼% senior notes for net proceeds of approximately $146.7 million. The 7¼% notes are unsecured, mature in January 2019 and bear interest at a rate of 7.25%, payable semiannually. The notes are effectively subordinate in priority to the 7-5/8% senior secured notes and the ABL Revolver to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt, and are senior to all other outstanding and future subordinated debt.
	Headwaters can redeem the 7¼% notes, in whole or in part, at any time after January 15, 2016 at redemption prices that decline over time from 103.625% to 100.0%, depending on the redemption date. In addition, until January 15, 2016, Headwaters can redeem at a price of 107.25% up to 35% of the outstanding notes with the net proceeds from one or more equity offerings. Headwaters can also redeem any of the notes at any time prior to January 15, 2016 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a make-whole premium. If there is a change in control, Headwaters will be required to offer to purchase the notes from holders at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount.
	The 7¼% notes limit Headwaters in the incurrence of additional debt and liens on assets, prepayment of subordinated debt, merging or consolidating with another company, selling all or substantially all assets, making investments and the payment of dividends or distributions, among other things. Headwaters was in compliance with all debt covenants as of December 31, 2014.
	ABL Revolver — Since entering into the ABL Revolver, Headwaters has not borrowed any funds under the arrangement and has no borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2014. Availability under the ABL Revolver cannot exceed $70.0 million, which includes a $35.0 million sub-line for letters of credit and a $10.5 million swingline facility. Availability under the ABL Revolver is further limited by the borrowing base valuations of the assets of Headwaters’ building products and construction materials segments which secure the borrowings, currently consisting of certain trade receivables and inventories. In addition to the first lien position on these assets, the ABL Revolver lenders have a second priority position on substantially all other assets of Headwaters. As of December 31, 2014, Headwaters had secured letters of credit under the ABL Revolver of approximately $7.4 million for various purposes and had availability under the ABL Revolver of approximately $60.3 million.
	The ABL Revolver terminates in October 2018. There is a contingent provision for early termination at any time within three months prior to the earliest maturity date of the senior secured notes, the senior notes or the convertible senior subordinated notes, at which time any amounts borrowed must be repaid. The contingent provision for early termination is precluded if borrowing base capacity under the ABL Revolver and/or cash collateral is at least equivalent to the amount of notes maturing on such date.
	Outstanding borrowings under the ABL Revolver accrue interest at Headwaters’ option, at either i) the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 1.75%, 2.0% or 2.25%, depending on Headwaters’ average net excess availability under the ABL; or ii) the “Base Rate” plus 0.5%, 0.75% or 1.0%, again depending on average net excess availability. The base rate is subject to a floor equal to the highest of i) the prime rate, ii) the federal funds rate plus 0.5%, and iii) the 30-day LIBOR rate plus 1.0%. Fees on the unused portion of the ABL Revolver range from 0.25% to 0.375%, depending on the amount of the credit facility which is utilized. If there would have been borrowings outstanding under the ABL Revolver as of December 31, 2014, the interest rate on those borrowings would have been approximately 2.0%.
	The ABL Revolver contains restrictions and covenants common to such agreements, including limitations on the incurrence of additional debt and liens on assets, prepayment of subordinated debt, merging or consolidating with another company, selling assets, making acquisitions and investments and the payment of dividends or distributions, among other things. In addition, if availability under the ABL Revolver is less than 15%, Headwaters is required to maintain a monthly fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.0x for the preceding twelve-month period. Headwaters was in compliance with all covenants as of December 31, 2014.
	8.75% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2016 — The 8.75% convertible senior subordinated notes have a maturity date of February 2016 with no early redemption options for either Headwaters or the holders of the notes. The conversion rate for the 8.75% notes is 33.9236 shares per $1,000 principal amount ($29.48 conversion price), subject to adjustment. Upon conversion, Headwaters is required to pay cash up to the principal amount of the notes, and shares of common stock to the extent the price of Headwaters’ common stock exceeds the conversion price during a 20-trading-day observation period. The conversion rate is adjusted for certain corporate transactions referred to as “fundamental changes.”
	The 8.75% notes are convertible at the option of the holders prior to December 1, 2015 if any of the following criteria are met: 1) during any fiscal quarter the closing price of Headwaters’ common stock exceeds $38.32 per share for at least 20 trading days during a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the preceding fiscal quarter; 2) during the five-business-day period after any ten-consecutive-trading-day period, the notes trade at less than 98% of the product of the common stock trading price and the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of $1,000 principal amount of the notes; or 3) upon the occurrence of specified corporate transactions. The 8.75% notes are convertible on or after December 1, 2015 regardless of the foregoing circumstances. If a fundamental change in common stock occurs, including termination of trading, holders may require Headwaters to repurchase the notes at a price equal to the principal amount plus any accrued interest.
	Interest and Debt Maturities — During the December 2013 and 2014 quarters, Headwaters incurred total interest costs of approximately $10.2 million and $12.1 million, respectively, including approximately $0.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively, of non-cash interest expense. Neither capitalized interest nor interest income was material for any period presented. The weighted-average interest rate on the face amount of outstanding long-term debt, excluding amortization of debt discount and debt issue costs, was approximately 7.6% at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2014. Headwaters has no debt maturities until February 2016.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	8.Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Headwaters’ material financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, accounts payable and long-term debt. All of these financial instruments except long-term debt are either carried at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets or are short-term in nature. Accordingly, the carrying values for those financial instruments as reflected in the consolidated balance sheets closely approximate their fair values.
	All of Headwaters’ outstanding long-term debt as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2014 was fixed-rate. Using fair values for the debt, the aggregate fair value of Headwaters’ long-term debt as of September 30, 2014 would have been approximately $626.0 million, compared to a carrying value of $599.6 million, and the aggregate fair value as of December 31, 2014 would have been approximately $627.0 million, compared to a carrying value of $599.6 million.
	Fair value “Level 2” estimates for long-term debt were based primarily on price estimates from broker-dealers. The fair values for long-term debt differ from the carrying values primarily due to interest rates that differ from current market interest rates and differences between Headwaters’ common stock price at the balance sheet measurement dates and the conversion prices for the convertible senior subordinated notes.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
	9.Income Taxes
	Headwaters’ estimated effective income tax rate for continuing operations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015, exclusive of discrete items, is currently expected to be approximately 10%. This estimated rate was used to record income taxes for the December 2014 quarter. For the December 2013 quarter, Headwaters used an estimated effective income tax rate for continuing operations of 14%. Headwaters did not recognize any tax expense or benefit for discrete items in the December 2013 quarter, but recognized approximately $0.9 million of tax benefit for discrete items in the December 2014 quarter that did not affect the calculation of the estimated effective income tax rate for the 2015 fiscal year. The discrete items were due primarily to unrecognized state income tax benefits that were reversed due to audit periods that closed.
	Beginning in 2011, Headwaters has recorded a full valuation allowance on its net amortizable deferred tax assets and accordingly, did not recognize benefit for tax credit carryforwards, net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards or other deferred tax assets for any period presented, except to the extent of projected fiscal year earnings. The estimated income tax rates of 14% for fiscal 2014 and 10% for fiscal 2015 resulted primarily from the combination of recognizing benefit for deferred tax assets only to the extent of projected fiscal year earnings, plus current state income taxes in certain state jurisdictions where taxable income is expected to be generated.
	A valuation allowance is required when there is significant uncertainty as to the realizability of deferred tax assets. The ability to realize deferred tax assets is dependent upon Headwaters’ ability to generate sufficient taxable income within the carryforward periods provided for in the tax law for each tax jurisdiction. Headwaters has considered the following possible sources of taxable income when assessing the realization of its deferred tax assets:
		·	future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences;
		·	future taxable income or loss, exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards;
		·	tax-planning strategies; and
		·	taxable income in prior carryback years.
	Headwaters considered both positive and negative evidence in determining the continued need for a valuation allowance, including the following:
	Positive evidence:
		·	Current forecasts indicate that Headwaters’ will generate pre-tax income and taxable income in the future.
		·	A majority of Headwaters’ tax attributes have significant carryover periods of 20 years or more.
	Negative evidence:
		·	Headwaters had a three-year cumulative loss as of September 30, 2014.
		·	Headwaters operates in cyclical industries that are difficult to forecast.
	Headwaters places more weight on objectively verifiable evidence than on other types of evidence and management currently believes that available negative evidence outweighs the available positive evidence. Management has therefore determined that Headwaters does not meet the “more likely than not” threshold that NOLs, tax credits and other deferred tax assets will be realized. Accordingly, a valuation allowance is required. During fiscal 2015, Headwaters may realize a three-year cumulative profit on a consolidated basis. If this occurs, Headwaters will also consider the other factors described above in evaluating the continued need for a full, or partial, valuation allowance.
	All of the factors Headwaters is considering in evaluating whether and when to release all or a portion of the deferred tax asset valuation allowance involve significant judgment. For example, there are many different interpretations of “cumulative losses in recent years” which can be used. Also, significant judgment is involved in making projections of future financial and taxable income, especially because Headwaters’ financial results are significantly dependent upon industry trends, including the new residential, repair and remodel, and infrastructure construction markets. Most of the markets in which Headwaters participates are currently in varying states of recovery from the historic downturn experienced in recent years; however, it is not possible to accurately predict whether recovery will continue, and if it does, at what rate and for how long. Any reversal of the valuation allowance will favorably impact Headwaters’ results of operations in the period of reversal.
	As of December 31, 2014, Headwaters’ NOL and capital loss carryforwards totaled approximately $67.7 million (tax effected). The U.S. and state NOLs expire from 2015 to 2034. In addition, there are approximately $24.8 million of tax credit carryforwards as of December 31, 2014, which expire from 2028 to 2034.
	The calculation of tax liabilities involves uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations in multiple tax jurisdictions. Headwaters currently has open tax years subject to examination by the IRS and state tax authorities for the years 2011 through 2013. Headwaters recognizes potential liabilities for anticipated tax audit issues in the U.S. and state tax jurisdictions based on estimates of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes and interest will be due. If events occur (or do not occur) as expected and the payment of these amounts ultimately proves to be unnecessary, the reversal of the liabilities would result in tax benefits being recognized in the period when it is determined the liabilities are no longer required to be recorded in the consolidated financial statements. If the estimate of tax liabilities proves to be less than the ultimate assessment, a further charge to expense would result. It is reasonably possible that approximately $5.0 million of Headwaters’ unrecognized income tax benefits will be released within the next 12 months. Most of this amount relates to state taxes and is currently expected to be released in the December 2015 quarter due to the expiration of statute of limitation time periods.

Equity_Securities_and_StockBas

Equity Securities and Stock-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity Securities and Stock-Based Compensation
Equity Securities and Stock-Based Compensation
	10.Equity Securities and Stock-Based Compensation
	Treasury Shares Held for Deferred Compensation Obligation — In accordance with the terms of the Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan (DDCP), non-employee directors can elect to defer certain compensation and choose from various options how the deferred compensation will be invested. One of the investment options is Headwaters common stock. When a director chooses Headwaters stock as an investment option, Headwaters purchases the common stock in accordance with the director’s request and holds the shares until such time as the deferred compensation obligation becomes payable, normally when the director retires from the Board. At such time, the shares held by Headwaters are distributed to the director in satisfaction of the obligation. Headwaters accounts for the purchase of common stock as treasury stock, at cost. The corresponding deferred compensation obligation is reflected in capital in excess of par value. Changes in the fair value of the treasury stock are not recognized. As of December 31, 2014, the treasury stock and related deferred compensation obligation had fair values of approximately $1.0 million, which was $0.3 million higher than the carrying values at cost.
	Stock-Based Compensation — In the December 2014 quarter, the Compensation Committee of Headwaters’ Board of Directors (the Committee) approved the grant of approximately 0.3 million stock-based awards to officers and employees. The awards were granted under terms of the 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan and vest over an approximate three-year period. Vesting is also subject to a 60-day average stock price hurdle that precludes vesting unless Headwaters’ stock price exceeds by a predetermined amount the stock price on the date of grant.
	Stock-based compensation expense was approximately $0.5 million and $0.6 million for the December 2013 and 2014 quarters, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, there was approximately $4.5 million of total compensation cost related to unvested awards not yet recognized, which will be recognized in future periods in accordance with applicable vesting terms.

Earnings_per_Share

Earnings per Share	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings per Share
Earnings per Share
	11.Earnings per Share
	The following table sets forth the computations of basic and diluted EPS, reflecting the amounts attributable to Headwaters and excluding the amounts attributable to the non-controlling interest in Entegra. In accordance with ASC 260, income (loss) from continuing operations for each period is used as the control number in determining whether potentially dilutive common shares should be included in the diluted earnings per share computations for those periods, even when the effect of doing so is anti-dilutive to the other per-share amounts.
		Three Months Ended
		December 31,
	(in thousands, except per-share amounts)	2013			2014
	Numerator:
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	(2,134	)	$	7,151
	Loss (income) from continuing operations attributable to non-controlling interest	6			(245		)
	Adjustment of estimated redemption value of non-controlling interest	0			(276		)
	Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations — income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Headwaters Incorporated	(2,128		)	6,630
	Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share from discontinued operations — income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	700			(67		)
	Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share — net income (loss) attributable to Headwaters Incorporated	$	(1,428	)	$	6,563
	Denominator:
	Denominator for basic earnings per share — weighted-average shares outstanding	73,066			73,448
	Effect of dilutive securities —  shares issuable upon exercise of options and SARs and vesting of restricted stock	0			1,880
	Denominator for diluted earnings per share — weighted-average shares outstanding after assumed exercises and vesting	73,066			75,328
	Basic and diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Headwaters Incorporated:
	From continuing operations	$	(0.03	)	$	0.09
	From discontinued operations	0.01			0
		$	(0.02	)	$	0.09
	Anti-dilutive securities not considered in diluted EPS calculation:
	Stock-settled SARs	3,937			905
	Stock options	618			105
	Restricted stock	253			0

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies
	12.Commitments and Contingencies
	Significant new commitments, material changes in commitments and ongoing contingencies as of December 31, 2014, not disclosed elsewhere, are as follows:
	Compensation Arrangements — Cash Performance Unit Awards. The Compensation Committee has approved various grants of performance unit awards to certain officers and employees, to be settled in cash, based on the achievement of certain stipulated goals, all of which are described in detail in the Form 10-K (including fiscal 2015 grants made in the December 2014 quarter). Since September 30, 2014, there have been no significant changes in Headwaters’ commitments or in the amounts accrued under these awards, except for payment in the December 2014 quarter of amounts contractually due under the terms of certain prior year awards. As explained in the Form 10-K, the amounts accrued under the fiscal 2014 awards are subject to adjustment for cash flows generated in fiscal 2015 and 2016. Headwaters also currently expects that additional amounts could be earned in the June and September 2015 quarters under the terms of the fiscal 2015 awards.
	Cash-Settled SAR Grants.  In fiscal 2011, the Committee approved grants to certain employees of approximately 0.4 million cash-settled SARs, approximately 0.1 million of which remain outstanding as of December 31, 2014. These SARs are considered liability awards and vested in annual installments through September 30, 2013, provided the participant was still employed by Headwaters at the respective vest dates, and are settled in cash upon exercise by the employee. The SARs terminate on September 30, 2015 and must be exercised on or before that date. As of December 31, 2014, approximately $1.1 million has been accrued for outstanding awards because the stock price at December 31, 2014 was above the grant-date stock price of $3.81. Future changes in Headwaters’ stock price in any amount above $3.81 through September 30, 2015 will result in adjustment to the expected remaining liability, which adjustment (whether positive or negative) will be reflected in Headwaters’ statement of operations each quarter.
	In fiscal 2012, the Committee approved grants to certain officers and employees of approximately 1.0 million cash-settled SARs, approximately 0.4 million of which remain outstanding as of December 31, 2014. These SARs have terms similar to those described above, except they could not vest until and unless the 60-day average stock price exceeded approximately 135% of the stock price on the date of grant (or $2.50), which occurred in fiscal 2012. Approximately $4.8 million has been accrued for outstanding awards as of December 31, 2014. Changes in Headwaters’ stock price in any amount above the grant-date stock price of $1.85 through September 30, 2016, the date these SARs expire, will result in adjustment to the expected remaining liability, which adjustment (whether positive or negative) will be reflected in Headwaters’ statement of operations each quarter. Compensation expense for all cash-settled SARs was approximately $0.9 million and $1.3 million for the December 2013 and 2014 quarters, respectively.
	Property, Plant and Equipment — As of December 31, 2014, Headwaters was committed to spend approximately $1.8 million on capital projects that were in various stages of completion.
	Legal Matters — Headwaters has ongoing litigation and asserted claims which have been incurred in the normal course of business, including the specific matters discussed below. Headwaters intends to vigorously defend or resolve these matters by settlement, as appropriate. Management does not currently believe that the outcome of these matters will have a material adverse effect on Headwaters’ operations, cash flow or financial position.
	Headwaters incurred approximately $0.5 million of expense for legal matters in both the December 2013 and 2014 quarters. Costs for outside legal counsel comprised a majority of Headwaters’ litigation-related costs in the periods presented. Headwaters currently believes the range of potential loss for all unresolved legal matters, excluding costs for outside counsel, is from $2.5 million up to the amounts sought by claimants and has recorded a liability as of December 31, 2014 of $2.5 million. The substantial claims and damages sought by claimants in excess of this amount are not currently deemed to be probable. Headwaters’ outside counsel and management currently believe that unfavorable outcomes of outstanding litigation beyond the amount accrued are neither probable nor remote. Accordingly, management cannot express an opinion as to the ultimate amount, if any, of Headwaters’ liability, nor is it possible to estimate what litigation-related costs will be in future periods.
	The specific matters discussed below raise difficult and complex legal and factual issues, and the resolution of these issues is subject to many uncertainties, including the facts and circumstances of each case, the jurisdiction in which each case is brought, and the future decisions of juries, judges, and arbitrators. Therefore, although management believes that the claims asserted against Headwaters in the named cases lack merit, there is a possibility of material losses in excess of the amount accrued if one or more of the cases were to be determined adversely against Headwaters for a substantial amount of the damages asserted. It is possible that a change in the estimate of probable liability could occur, and the changes could be material. Additionally, as with any litigation, these proceedings require that Headwaters incur substantial costs, including attorneys’ fees, managerial time and other personnel resources, in pursuing resolution.
	EPA.  In April 2012, Headwaters Resources, Inc. (HRI) filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia against the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The complaint alleges that the EPA failed to review, and where necessary, revise RCRA subtitle D regulations applicable to the disposal of coal ash within the timeframe required by statute. Other parties also initiated litigation against the EPA alleging the same (and other) failures of the EPA to perform its duties regarding coal ash disposal regulations. HRI’s complaint seeks certain declaratory relief with respect to EPA rulemaking at issue in the case. The District Court consolidated HRI’s case with related actions brought by other parties. In October 2013, the District Court granted summary judgment that the EPA failed to fulfill its statutory duty to review coal ash disposal regulations, among other things, ordering the EPA to propose a schedule to complete its review of coal ash disposal regulations, and, as necessary, revise the regulations. In May 2014, the District Court entered a consent decree ordering the EPA to take final action in December 2014 regarding EPA’s proposed revisions of RCRA subtitle D regulations pertaining to coal combustion residuals. In December 2014, the EPA issued a prepublication notice of a final rule to regulate the disposal of coal combustion residuals as solid (non-hazardous) waste under subtitle D of RCRA, with national minimum criteria for CCR landfills and impoundments consisting of location restrictions, design and operating criteria, groundwater monitoring and corrective action, closure requirements, post closure care, recordkeeping and reporting, and other requirements. The final rule will be effective 180 days after publication in the Federal Register, which publication has yet to occur. It is expected that the EPA will move to terminate the consent decree in the near future which will end the case.
	Fentress Families Trust.  VFL Technology Corporation (VFL), acquired by HRI in 2004, provides services related to fly ash management to Virginia Electric and Power Company. In February 2012, 383 plaintiffs, most of whom are residents living in the City of Chesapeake, Virginia, filed a complaint in the State of Virginia Chesapeake Circuit Court against 15 defendants, including Virginia Electric and Power Company (VEPCO), and certain other persons associated with the Battlefield Golf Course, including owners, developers, contractors, and others, including VFL and Headwaters, alleging causes of action for nuisance and negligence. The complaint alleges that fly ash used to construct the golf course was carried in the air and contaminated water exposing plaintiffs to dangerous chemicals and causing property damage. Plaintiffs’ complaint seeks injunctive relief and damages of approximately $850.0 million for removal and remediation of the fly ash and the water supply, $1.9 billion for vexation, $8.0 million and other unspecified amounts for personal injuries, and $55.0 million as damages to properties, plus prejudgment interest, attorney fees, and costs. In a related case, other plaintiffs have filed a separate lawsuit asserting the same claims against the same defendants claiming additional damages totaling approximately $307.2 million. In August 2013 the court ruled on VEPCO’s demurrer ordering that claims for personal injury or property damage based upon allegations of groundwater contamination were dismissed but that claims of nuisance and negligence based upon allegations of air-borne ash and contaminated surface water would not be dismissed. These cases are based on substantially the same alleged circumstances asserted in complaints filed by the plaintiffs in 2009 and voluntarily dismissed in 2010. Discovery is underway. HRI has filed claims for defense and indemnity with several of its insurers. In 2010, HRI filed suit in the United States District Court for the District of Utah against two insurers that denied coverage based on allegations in the 2009 Fentress complaints. The District Court ruled in the insurers’ favor, which ruling was affirmed in October 2014 by the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. Another insurer continues to pay for the defense of the underlying cases under a reservation of rights. The relatively novel fly ash claims of the plaintiffs together with multiple insurance policies and policy periods make insurance coverage issues complex and uncertain. Moreover, plaintiffs’ total claims exceed the potential limits of insurance available to HRI. Because resolution of the litigation is uncertain, legal counsel and management cannot express an opinion as to the ultimate amount, if any, of HRI’s liability, or the insurers’ obligation to indemnify HRI against loss, if any.
	CPM.  In December 2012, CPM Virginia, LLC filed a complaint in the State of Virginia Chesapeake Circuit Court against HRI related to construction of the golf course described in the Fentress Families Trust case, alleging breach of contract and seeking declaratory judgment and compensatory damages in the amount of $0.5 million plus attorney fees and costs. CPM alleges that HRI should indemnify CPM for past and future expenses incurred in defending against the Fentress complaints. In December 2014, CPM filed a separate complaint in the State of Virginia Richmond Circuit Court against VEPCO, VFL, and Headwaters. Plaintiff claims that VEPCO and VFL withheld information from CPM about the environmental and safety risks of using fly ash to construct the golf course which CPM asserts that it owns or has an interest in. CPM alleges multiple causes of action and claims hundreds of millions of dollars in damages, including site remediation costs, punitive damages, and attorney fees. Because resolution of this litigation is uncertain, legal counsel and management cannot express an opinion as to the ultimate amount, if any, of HRI’s liability, or the insurers’ obligation to indemnify HRI against loss, if any.
	Building Products Matters.  There are litigation and pending and threatened claims made against certain subsidiaries within Headwaters’ building products segment, with respect to several types of exterior finish systems manufactured and sold by its subsidiaries for application by contractors on residential and commercial buildings. The plaintiffs or claimants in these matters typically allege that the structures have suffered damage from water penetration due to some alleged failure of the roofing product or wall system. The claims most often involve alleged liabilities associated with certain roofing, stucco, and architectural stone products which are produced and sold by certain subsidiaries of Headwaters.
	The foregoing litigation and claims typically cite damages for alleged personal injuries, property damage, economic loss, unfair business practices and punitive damages. Claims made against Headwaters and its subsidiaries generally have been paid by their insurers, subject to Headwaters’ payment of deductibles or self-insured retentions, although such insurance carriers typically have issued “reservation of rights” letters. There is no guarantee of insurance coverage or continuing coverage. These and future proceedings may result in substantial costs to Headwaters and its subsidiaries, including attorneys’ fees, managerial time and other personnel resources and costs. Adverse resolution of these proceedings could have a materially negative effect on Headwaters’ businesses, financial condition, and results of operation, and its ability to meet its financial obligations. Although Headwaters carries general and product liability insurance, subject to exclusions and self-insured retentions, Headwaters cannot assure that such insurance coverage will remain available, that Headwaters’ insurance carriers will remain viable, will accept claims or that the insured amounts will cover all claims in excess of self-insured retentions. Future rate increases may also make such insurance uneconomical for Headwaters to maintain. Because resolution of the litigation, claims, and insurance coverage is uncertain, legal counsel and management cannot express an opinion as to the ultimate amount, if any, of Headwaters’ or its subsidiaries’ liability.
	Construction Materials Matters.  In addition, there are litigation and pending and threatened claims made against HRI, Headwaters’ construction materials segment, with respect to coal combustion products. The plaintiffs or claimants in these matters have alleged that inhalation or other exposure to fly ash is unsafe, and that HRI has failed to warn about the alleged dangers of fly ash exposure and the use of adequate protection, resulting in personal injury, contamination of land and water, and diminution in property value. The Fentress Family Trust case summarized above is an example of these types of claims. The application of relatively novel fly ash claims to insurance policies is complex and uncertain and HRI has had limited success in tendering defense of such claims to insurers, which is dependent upon the alleged facts and specific policy terms. Adverse resolution of these claims and insurance coverage disputes could have a materially negative effect on Headwaters’ businesses, financial condition, and results of operation, and its ability to meet its financial obligations. Because resolution of the litigation, claims, and insurance coverage disputes is uncertain, legal counsel and management cannot express an opinion as to the ultimate amount, if any, of HRI’s liability.
	Other.  Headwaters and its subsidiaries are also involved in other legal proceedings that have arisen in the normal course of business. Because resolution of these proceedings is uncertain, legal counsel and management cannot express an opinion as to the ultimate amount, if any, of Headwaters’ liability.

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
	13.Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
	Headwaters’ 7-5/8% senior secured notes and 7¼% senior notes are jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Headwaters Incorporated and by all of Headwaters’ 100%-owned domestic subsidiaries. Separate stand-alone financial statements and disclosures for Headwaters Incorporated and each of the guarantor subsidiaries are not presented because the guarantees are full and unconditional and the guarantor subsidiaries have joint and several liability.
	There are no significant restrictions on the ability of Headwaters Incorporated to obtain funds from the guarantor subsidiaries nor on the ability of the guarantor subsidiaries to obtain funds from Headwaters Incorporated or other guarantor subsidiaries. Non-guaranteeing entities include subsidiaries that are not 100% owned, foreign subsidiaries and joint ventures in which Headwaters has a non-controlling ownership interest.
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET — September 30, 2014
		Guarantor			Non-			Parent			Eliminations			Headwaters
					guarantor						and
	(in thousands)	Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Company			Reclassifications			Consolidated
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	33,552		$	5,764		$	113,226		$	—		$	152,542
	Trade receivables, net	113,940			5,390									119,330
	Inventories	48,482			2,151									50,633
	Deferred income taxes	15,509			289			18,427			(23,149		)	11,076
	Other	9,286			168			1,082						10,536
	Total current assets	220,769			13,762			132,735			(23,149		)	344,117
	Property, plant and equipment, net	162,458			11,674			7,979			—			182,111
	Other assets:
	Goodwill	145,068			30,518									175,586
	Intangible assets, net	131,150			28,713									159,863
	Investments in subsidiaries							406,327			(406,327		)	—
	Intercompany accounts and notes							637,046			(637,046		)	—
	Deferred income taxes	41,658						22,928			(64,586		)	—
	Other	14,388			1,381			25,981						41,750
	Total other assets	332,264			60,612			1,092,282			(1,107,959		)	377,199
	Total assets	$	715,491		$	86,048		$	1,232,996		$	(1,131,108	)	$	903,427
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable	$	25,643		$	956		$	427		$	—		$	27,026
	Accrued personnel costs	13,483			418			35,001						48,902
	Accrued interest							18,273						18,273
	Current income taxes	23,198			319						(23,149		)	368
	Other accrued liabilities	36,811			3,006			1,940						41,757
	Total current liabilities	99,135			4,699			55,641			(23,149		)	136,326
	Long-term liabilities:
	Long-term debt							599,579						599,579
	Income taxes	65,133			893			21,802			(64,586		)	23,242
	Intercompany accounts and notes	191,274			4,061			441,711			(637,046		)	—
	Other	16,167			774			11,645						28,586
	Total long-term liabilities	272,574			5,728			1,074,737			(701,632		)	651,407
	Total liabilities	371,709			10,427			1,130,378			(724,781		)	787,733
	Redeemable non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiary				13,252									13,252
	Stockholders’ equity:
	Common stock							74						74
	Capital in excess of par value	458,498			60,453			723,824			(519,127		)	723,648
	Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(114,716		)	1,916			(620,688		)	112,800			(620,688		)
	Treasury stock							(592		)				(592		)
	Total stockholders’ equity	343,782			62,369			102,618			(406,327		)	102,442
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	715,491		$	86,048		$	1,232,996		$	(1,131,108	)	$	903,427
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET — December 31, 2014
		Guarantor			Non-			Parent			Eliminations			Headwaters
					guarantor						and
	(in thousands)	Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Company			Reclassifications			Consolidated
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	42,862		$	4,752		$	104,164		$	—		$	151,778
	Trade receivables, net	80,686			5,294									85,980
	Inventories	54,276			2,283									56,559
	Current and deferred income taxes	15,510			289			20,536			(24,326		)	12,009
	Other	8,419			177			2,077						10,673
	Total current assets	201,753			12,795			126,777			(24,326		)	316,999
	Property, plant and equipment, net	162,324			10,602			9,069			—			181,995
	Other assets:
	Goodwill	145,027			30,518									175,545
Intangible assets, net	128,731			28,344									157,075
Investments in subsidiaries							477,061			(477,061		)	—
Intercompany accounts and notes							637,046			(637,046		)	—
Deferred income taxes	41,658						22,928			(64,586		)	—
Other	13,603			1,359			27,732						42,694
Total other assets	329,019			60,221			1,164,767			(1,178,693		)	375,314
Total assets	$	693,096		$	83,618		$	1,300,613		$	(1,203,019	)	$	874,308
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	14,746		$	838		$	198		$	—		$	15,782
Accrued personnel costs	7,645			403			20,413						28,461
Accrued interest							14,456						14,456
Current income taxes	23,907			419						(24,326		)	—
Other accrued liabilities	32,975			2,716			1,790						37,481
Total current liabilities	79,273			4,376			36,857			(24,326		)	96,180
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt							599,619						599,619
Income taxes	65,133			893			21,802			(64,586		)	23,242
Intercompany accounts and notes	168,701			2,704			516,662			(688,067		)	—
Other	16,059			735			15,282						32,076
Total long-term liabilities	249,893			4,332			1,153,365			(752,653		)	654,937
Total liabilities	329,166			8,708			1,190,222			(776,979		)	751,117
Redeemable non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiary				13,252									13,252
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock							74						74
Capital in excess of par value	458,498			58,090			724,819			(517,040		)	724,367
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(94,568		)	3,568			(613,849		)	91,000			(613,849		)
Treasury stock							(653		)				(653		)
Total stockholders’ equity	363,930			61,658			110,391			(426,040		)	109,939
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	693,096		$	83,618		$	1,300,613		$	(1,203,019	)	$	874,308
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended December 31, 2013
	Guarantor			Non-			Parent						Headwaters
				guarantor
(in thousands)	Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Company			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenue:
Building products	$	91,337		$	1,675		$	—		$	—		$	93,012
Construction materials	71,521												71,521
Energy technology	1,082												1,082
Total revenue	163,940			1,675			—			—			165,615
Cost of revenue:
Building products	67,869			1,469									69,338
Construction materials	54,765												54,765
Energy technology	619												619
Total cost of revenue	123,253			1,469			—			—			124,722
Gross profit	40,687			206			—			—			40,893
Operating expenses:
Amortization	5,106												5,106
Selling, general and administrative	22,801			253			5,173						28,227
Total operating expenses	27,907			253			5,173			—			33,333
Operating income (loss)	12,780			(47		)	(5,173		)	—			7,560
Other income (expense):
Net interest expense	(21		)				(10,035		)				(10,056		)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries							11,651			(11,651		)	—
Other, net	45			(33		)							12
Total other income (expense), net	24			(33		)	1,616			(11,651		)	(10,044		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	12,804			(80		)	(3,557		)	(11,651		)	(2,484		)
Income tax benefit (provision)	(1,779		)				2,129						350
Income (loss) from continuing operations	11,025			(80		)	(1,428		)	(11,651		)	(2,134		)
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	700												700
Net income (loss)	11,725			(80		)	(1,428		)	(11,651		)	(1,434		)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest				6									6
Net income (loss) attributable to Headwaters Incorporated	$	11,725		$	(74	)	$	(1,428	)	$	(11,651	)	$	(1,428	)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended December 31, 2014
	Guarantor			Non-			Parent						Headwaters
				guarantor
(in thousands)	Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Company			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenue:
Building products	$	106,393		$	11,141		$	—		$	—		$	117,534
Construction materials	81,404												81,404
Energy technology	659												659
Total revenue	188,456			11,141			—			—			199,597
Cost of revenue:
Building products	76,518			7,674									84,192
Construction materials	59,511												59,511
Energy technology	207												207
Total cost of revenue	136,236			7,674			—			—			143,910
Gross profit	52,220			3,467			—			—			55,687
Operating expenses:
Amortization	4,118			368									4,486
Selling, general and administrative	25,802			1,574			4,653						32,029
Total operating expenses	29,920			1,942			4,653			—			36,515
Operating income (loss)	22,300			1,525			(4,653		)	—			19,172
Other income (expense):
Net interest expense	(44		)				(11,908		)				(11,952		)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries							21,800			(21,800		)	—
Other, net	(80		)	(189		)							(269		)
Total other income (expense), net	(124		)	(189		)	9,892			(21,800		)	(12,221		)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	22,176			1,336			5,239			(21,800		)	6,951
Income tax benefit (provision)	(1,270		)	(130		)	1,600						200
Income from continuing operations	20,906			1,206			6,839			(21,800		)	7,151
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(67		)										(67		)
Net income	20,839			1,206			6,839			(21,800		)	7,084
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest				(245		)							(245		)
Net income attributable to Headwaters Incorporated	$	20,839		$	961		$	6,839		$	(21,800	)	$	6,839
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Three Months Ended December 31, 2013
				Non-
	Guarantor			guarantor			Parent						Headwaters
(in thousands)	Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Company			Eliminations			Consolidated
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$	11,725		$	(80	)	$	(1,428	)	$	(11,651	)	$	(1,434	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	12,918			68			61						13,047
Interest expense related to amortization of debt issue costs and debt discount							570						570
Stock-based compensation	197						269						466
Net loss on disposition of property, plant and equipment	316						45						361
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(964		)										(964		)
Net loss of unconsolidated joint ventures				49									49
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries							(11,651		)	11,651			0
Decrease in trade receivables	38,426			503									38,929
Decrease (increase) in inventories	(5,119		)	337									(4,782		)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(21,485		)	1,043			(12,408		)				(32,850		)
Other changes in operating assets and liabilities, net	(784		)	140			(2,135		)				(2,779		)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	35,230			2,060			(26,677		)	—			10,613
Cash flows from investing activities:
Business acquisition				(57,550		)							(57,550		)
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures				(750		)							(750		)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(5,847		)	(20		)	(1,021		)				(6,888		)
Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment	111												111
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations	4,666												4,666
Net decrease in long-term receivables and deposits	2,511						299						2,810
Net change in other assets	(75		)				210						135
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	1,366			(58,320		)	(512		)	—			(57,466		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt							146,650						146,650
Other debt issue costs							(105		)				(105		)
Employee stock purchases	240						79						319
Intercompany transfers	(32,487		)	58,242			(25,755		)				0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(32,247		)	58,242			120,869			—			146,864
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	4,349			1,982			93,680			—			100,011
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	70,713			34			4,569						75,316
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	75,062		$	2,016		$	98,249		$	—		$	175,327
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Three Months Ended December 31, 2014
				Non-
	Guarantor			guarantor			Parent						Headwaters
(in thousands)	Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Company			Eliminations			Consolidated
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	20,839		$	1,206		$	6,839		$	(21,800	)	$	7,084
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	12,089			713			108						12,910
Interest expense related to amortization of debt issue costs and debt discount							525						525
Stock-based compensation	238						381						619
Net loss (gain) on disposition of property, plant and equipment	116			(9		)							107
Loss on sale of discontinued operations, net of income taxes	45												45
Net loss of unconsolidated joint ventures				221									221
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries							(21,800		)	21,800			0
Decrease in trade receivables	33,641			96									33,737
Increase in inventories	(4,683		)	(132		)							(4,815		)
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(21,230		)	(423		)	(18,783		)				(40,436		)
Other changes in operating assets and liabilities, net	(358		)	100			(1,591		)				(1,849		)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	40,697			1,772			(34,321		)	—			8,148
Cash flows from investing activities:
Business acquisition	(1,200		)										(1,200		)
Investments in unconsolidated joint venture	(125		)										(125		)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(7,403		)	(134		)	(1,234		)				(8,771		)
Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment	315			10									325
Net decrease (increase) in long-term receivables and deposits	(136		)				1,076						940
Net change in other assets	(89		)				214						125
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(8,638		)	(124		)	56			—			(8,706		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid to non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiary				(521		)							(521		)
Employee stock purchases	235			7			73						315
Intercompany transfers	(22,984		)	(2,146		)	25,130						0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(22,749		)	(2,660		)	25,203			—			(206		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	9,310			(1,012		)	(9,062		)	—			(764		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	33,552			5,764			113,226						152,542
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	42,862		$	4,752		$	104,164		$	—		$	151,778

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting
Schedule Of Segment Reporting
		Three Months Ended December 31, 2013
		Building			Construction			Energy			Corporate			Totals
	(in thousands)	products			materials			technology
	Segment revenue	$	93,012		$	71,521		$	1,082		$	0		$	165,615
	Depreciation and amortization	$	(9,212	)	$	(3,286	)	$	(488	)	$	(61	)	$	(13,047	)
	Operating income (loss)	$	5,086		$	9,933		$	(2,286	)	$	(5,173	)	$	7,560
	Net interest expense													(10,056		)
	Other income (expense), net													12
	Income tax benefit													350
	Loss from continuing operations													(2,134		)
	Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes													700
	Net loss													$	(1,434	)
	Capital expenditures	$	4,452		$	1,185		$	230		$	1,021		$	6,888
	Segment assets as of September 30, 2014	$	411,968		$	325,140		$	22,674		$	143,645		$	903,427
		Three Months Ended December 31, 2014
		Building			Construction			Energy			Corporate			Totals
	(in thousands)	products			materials			technology
	Segment revenue	$	117,534		$	81,404		$	659		$	0		$	199,597
	Depreciation and amortization	$	(8,713	)	$	(3,736	)	$	(353	)	$	(108	)	$	(12,910	)
	Operating income (loss)	$	11,948		$	13,488		$	(1,611	)	$	(4,653	)	$	19,172
	Net interest expense													(11,952		)
	Other income (expense), net													(269		)
	Income tax benefit													200
	Income from continuing operations													7,151
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes													(67		)
	Net income													$	7,084
	Capital expenditures	$	6,021		$	1,348		$	168		$	1,234		$	8,771
	Segment assets as of December 31, 2014	$	394,675		$	317,097		$	23,185		$	139,351		$	874,308

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Acquisitions
Schedule of activity of non-controlling interest
		(in thousands)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	13,252
	Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	245
	Dividends	(521		)
	Adjustment of estimated redemption value	276
	Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	13,252
Entegra
Acquisitions
Schedule of estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date
		(in thousands)
	Current assets	$	8,261
	Current liabilities	(3,422		)
	Property, plant and equipment	10,589
	Intangible assets:
	Customer relationships (15 year life)	20,600
	Trade name (indefinite life)	6,600
	Goodwill	28,156
	Net assets acquired	70,784
	Less redeemable non-controlling interest	(13,252		)
	Net assets attributable to Headwaters	$	57,532
Gerard
Acquisitions
Schedule of estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date
		(in thousands)
	Current assets	$	9,236
	Current liabilities	(1,869		)
	Property, plant and equipment	8,314
	Intangible assets:
	Customer relationships (15 year life)	4,000
	Trade name (indefinite life)	3,900
	Goodwill	7,291
	Long-term liabilities	(3,906		)
	Net assets acquired	$	26,966

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations
Schedule Of Information For The Discontinued Coal Cleaning Business
		Three Months Ended
		December 31,
	(in thousands)	2013			2014
	Revenue	$	0		$	0
	Loss from operations of discontinued operations before income taxes	$	(264	)	$	(22	)
	Gain (loss) on disposal	964			(45		)
	Income tax provision	0			0
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	$	700		$	(67	)

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventories
Schedule of components of inventory
	(in thousands)	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2014
	Raw materials	$	12,017	$	13,543
	Finished goods	38,616		43,016
		$	50,633	$	56,559

Intangible_Assets_Tables

Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Intangible Assets
Schedule of gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization of intangible assets
				September 30, 2014				December 31, 2014
		Estimated		Gross		Accumulated		Gross		Accumulated
		useful lives		Carrying		Amortization		Carrying		Amortization
	(in thousands of dollars)			Amount				Amount
	Trade names	Indefinite		$	15,300	—		$	15,300	—
	CCP contracts	15 - 20 years		112,300		$	64,192	112,300		$	65,613
	Customer relationships	5 - 17 years		107,953		50,355		109,102		52,234
	Trade names	5 - 20 years		67,220		33,394		67,220		34,249
	Patents and patented technologies	5 - 19 years		14,526		11,686		14,526		11,908
	Other	5 - 17 years		3,935		1,744		4,484		1,853
				$	321,234	$	161,371	$	322,932	$	165,857
Schedule of total currently estimated annual amortization expense
	Year ending September 30:	(in thousands)
	2015	$	18,129
	2016	17,910
	2017	17,032
	2018	16,983
	2019	15,954
	2020	11,747

Longterm_Debt_Tables

Long-term Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Long-term Debt
Schedule of the discounted carrying value of long-term debt
		September 30,		December 31,
	(in thousands)	2014		2014
	7-5/8% Senior secured notes, due April 2019	$	400,000	$	400,000
	7¼% Senior notes, due January 2019	150,000		150,000
	8.75% Convertible senior subordinated notes due February 2016 (face amount $49,791), net of discount	49,579		49,619
	Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of discount	$	599,579	$	599,619

Earnings_per_Share_Tables

Earnings per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings per Share
Schedule of computation of basic and diluted EPS
		Three Months Ended
		December 31,
	(in thousands, except per-share amounts)	2013			2014
	Numerator:
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	(2,134	)	$	7,151
	Loss (income) from continuing operations attributable to non-controlling interest	6			(245		)
	Adjustment of estimated redemption value of non-controlling interest	0			(276		)
	Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations — income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Headwaters Incorporated	(2,128		)	6,630
	Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share from discontinued operations — income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	700			(67		)
	Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share — net income (loss) attributable to Headwaters Incorporated	$	(1,428	)	$	6,563
	Denominator:
	Denominator for basic earnings per share — weighted-average shares outstanding	73,066			73,448
	Effect of dilutive securities —  shares issuable upon exercise of options and SARs and vesting of restricted stock	0			1,880
	Denominator for diluted earnings per share — weighted-average shares outstanding after assumed exercises and vesting	73,066			75,328
	Basic and diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Headwaters Incorporated:
	From continuing operations	$	(0.03	)	$	0.09
	From discontinued operations	0.01			0
		$	(0.02	)	$	0.09
	Anti-dilutive securities not considered in diluted EPS calculation:
	Stock-settled SARs	3,937			905
	Stock options	618			105
	Restricted stock	253			0

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ1

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
Schedule of condensed consolidating balance sheet
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET — September 30, 2014
		Guarantor			Non-			Parent			Eliminations			Headwaters
					guarantor						and
	(in thousands)	Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Company			Reclassifications			Consolidated
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	33,552		$	5,764		$	113,226		$	—		$	152,542
	Trade receivables, net	113,940			5,390									119,330
	Inventories	48,482			2,151									50,633
	Deferred income taxes	15,509			289			18,427			(23,149		)	11,076
	Other	9,286			168			1,082						10,536
	Total current assets	220,769			13,762			132,735			(23,149		)	344,117
	Property, plant and equipment, net	162,458			11,674			7,979			—			182,111
	Other assets:
	Goodwill	145,068			30,518									175,586
	Intangible assets, net	131,150			28,713									159,863
	Investments in subsidiaries							406,327			(406,327		)	—
	Intercompany accounts and notes							637,046			(637,046		)	—
	Deferred income taxes	41,658						22,928			(64,586		)	—
	Other	14,388			1,381			25,981						41,750
	Total other assets	332,264			60,612			1,092,282			(1,107,959		)	377,199
	Total assets	$	715,491		$	86,048		$	1,232,996		$	(1,131,108	)	$	903,427
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable	$	25,643		$	956		$	427		$	—		$	27,026
	Accrued personnel costs	13,483			418			35,001						48,902
	Accrued interest							18,273						18,273
	Current income taxes	23,198			319						(23,149		)	368
	Other accrued liabilities	36,811			3,006			1,940						41,757
	Total current liabilities	99,135			4,699			55,641			(23,149		)	136,326
	Long-term liabilities:
	Long-term debt							599,579						599,579
	Income taxes	65,133			893			21,802			(64,586		)	23,242
	Intercompany accounts and notes	191,274			4,061			441,711			(637,046		)	—
	Other	16,167			774			11,645						28,586
	Total long-term liabilities	272,574			5,728			1,074,737			(701,632		)	651,407
	Total liabilities	371,709			10,427			1,130,378			(724,781		)	787,733
	Redeemable non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiary				13,252									13,252
	Stockholders’ equity:
	Common stock							74						74
	Capital in excess of par value	458,498			60,453			723,824			(519,127		)	723,648
	Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(114,716		)	1,916			(620,688		)	112,800			(620,688		)
	Treasury stock							(592		)				(592		)
	Total stockholders’ equity	343,782			62,369			102,618			(406,327		)	102,442
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	715,491		$	86,048		$	1,232,996		$	(1,131,108	)	$	903,427
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET — December 31, 2014
		Guarantor			Non-			Parent			Eliminations			Headwaters
					guarantor						and
	(in thousands)	Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Company			Reclassifications			Consolidated
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	42,862		$	4,752		$	104,164		$	—		$	151,778
	Trade receivables, net	80,686			5,294									85,980
	Inventories	54,276			2,283									56,559
	Current and deferred income taxes	15,510			289			20,536			(24,326		)	12,009
	Other	8,419			177			2,077						10,673
	Total current assets	201,753			12,795			126,777			(24,326		)	316,999
	Property, plant and equipment, net	162,324			10,602			9,069			—			181,995
	Other assets:
	Goodwill	145,027			30,518									175,545
	Intangible assets, net	128,731			28,344									157,075
	Investments in subsidiaries							477,061			(477,061		)	—
	Intercompany accounts and notes							637,046			(637,046		)	—
Deferred income taxes	41,658						22,928			(64,586		)	—
Other	13,603			1,359			27,732						42,694
Total other assets	329,019			60,221			1,164,767			(1,178,693		)	375,314
Total assets	$	693,096		$	83,618		$	1,300,613		$	(1,203,019	)	$	874,308
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	14,746		$	838		$	198		$	—		$	15,782
Accrued personnel costs	7,645			403			20,413						28,461
Accrued interest							14,456						14,456
Current income taxes	23,907			419						(24,326		)	—
Other accrued liabilities	32,975			2,716			1,790						37,481
Total current liabilities	79,273			4,376			36,857			(24,326		)	96,180
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt							599,619						599,619
Income taxes	65,133			893			21,802			(64,586		)	23,242
Intercompany accounts and notes	168,701			2,704			516,662			(688,067		)	—
Other	16,059			735			15,282						32,076
Total long-term liabilities	249,893			4,332			1,153,365			(752,653		)	654,937
Total liabilities	329,166			8,708			1,190,222			(776,979		)	751,117
Redeemable non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiary				13,252									13,252
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock							74						74
Capital in excess of par value	458,498			58,090			724,819			(517,040		)	724,367
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(94,568		)	3,568			(613,849		)	91,000			(613,849		)
Treasury stock							(653		)				(653		)
Total stockholders’ equity	363,930			61,658			110,391			(426,040		)	109,939
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	693,096		$	83,618		$	1,300,613		$	(1,203,019	)	$	874,308
Schedule of condensed consolidating statement of operations
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
	Three Months Ended December 31, 2013
		Guarantor			Non-			Parent						Headwaters
					guarantor
	(in thousands)	Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Company			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Revenue:
	Building products	$	91,337		$	1,675		$	—		$	—		$	93,012
	Construction materials	71,521												71,521
	Energy technology	1,082												1,082
	Total revenue	163,940			1,675			—			—			165,615
	Cost of revenue:
	Building products	67,869			1,469									69,338
	Construction materials	54,765												54,765
	Energy technology	619												619
	Total cost of revenue	123,253			1,469			—			—			124,722
	Gross profit	40,687			206			—			—			40,893
	Operating expenses:
	Amortization	5,106												5,106
	Selling, general and administrative	22,801			253			5,173						28,227
	Total operating expenses	27,907			253			5,173			—			33,333
	Operating income (loss)	12,780			(47		)	(5,173		)	—			7,560
	Other income (expense):
	Net interest expense	(21		)				(10,035		)				(10,056		)
	Equity in earnings of subsidiaries							11,651			(11,651		)	—
	Other, net	45			(33		)							12
	Total other income (expense), net	24			(33		)	1,616			(11,651		)	(10,044		)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	12,804			(80		)	(3,557		)	(11,651		)	(2,484		)
	Income tax benefit (provision)	(1,779		)				2,129						350
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	11,025			(80		)	(1,428		)	(11,651		)	(2,134		)
	Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	700												700
	Net income (loss)	11,725			(80		)	(1,428		)	(11,651		)	(1,434		)
	Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest				6									6
	Net income (loss) attributable to Headwaters Incorporated	$	11,725		$	(74	)	$	(1,428	)	$	(11,651	)	$	(1,428	)
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
	Three Months Ended December 31, 2014
		Guarantor			Non-			Parent						Headwaters
					guarantor
	(in thousands)	Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Company			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Revenue:
	Building products	$	106,393		$	11,141		$	—		$	—		$	117,534
	Construction materials	81,404												81,404
	Energy technology	659												659
	Total revenue	188,456			11,141			—			—			199,597
	Cost of revenue:
	Building products	76,518			7,674									84,192
	Construction materials	59,511												59,511
	Energy technology	207												207
	Total cost of revenue	136,236			7,674			—			—			143,910
	Gross profit	52,220			3,467			—			—			55,687
	Operating expenses:
	Amortization	4,118			368									4,486
	Selling, general and administrative	25,802			1,574			4,653						32,029
	Total operating expenses	29,920			1,942			4,653			—			36,515
	Operating income (loss)	22,300			1,525			(4,653		)	—			19,172
	Other income (expense):
	Net interest expense	(44		)				(11,908		)				(11,952		)
	Equity in earnings of subsidiaries							21,800			(21,800		)	—
	Other, net	(80		)	(189		)							(269		)
	Total other income (expense), net	(124		)	(189		)	9,892			(21,800		)	(12,221		)
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes	22,176			1,336			5,239			(21,800		)	6,951
	Income tax benefit (provision)	(1,270		)	(130		)	1,600						200
	Income from continuing operations	20,906			1,206			6,839			(21,800		)	7,151
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(67		)										(67		)
Net income	20,839			1,206			6,839			(21,800		)	7,084
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest				(245		)							(245		)
Net income attributable to Headwaters Incorporated	$	20,839		$	961		$	6,839		$	(21,800	)	$	6,839
Schedule of condensed consolidating statement of cash flows	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	Three Months Ended December 31, 2013
					Non-
		Guarantor			guarantor			Parent						Headwaters
	(in thousands)	Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Company			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net income (loss)	$	11,725		$	(80	)	$	(1,428	)	$	(11,651	)	$	(1,434	)
	Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
	Depreciation and amortization	12,918			68			61						13,047
	Interest expense related to amortization of debt issue costs and debt discount							570						570
	Stock-based compensation	197						269						466
	Net loss on disposition of property, plant and equipment	316						45						361
	Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(964		)										(964		)
	Net loss of unconsolidated joint ventures				49									49
	Equity in earnings of subsidiaries							(11,651		)	11,651			0
	Decrease in trade receivables	38,426			503									38,929
	Decrease (increase) in inventories	(5,119		)	337									(4,782		)
	Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(21,485		)	1,043			(12,408		)				(32,850		)
	Other changes in operating assets and liabilities, net	(784		)	140			(2,135		)				(2,779		)
	Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	35,230			2,060			(26,677		)	—			10,613
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Business acquisition				(57,550		)							(57,550		)
	Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures				(750		)							(750		)
	Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(5,847		)	(20		)	(1,021		)				(6,888		)
	Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment	111												111
	Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations	4,666												4,666
	Net decrease in long-term receivables and deposits	2,511						299						2,810
	Net change in other assets	(75		)				210						135
	Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	1,366			(58,320		)	(512		)	—			(57,466		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt							146,650						146,650
	Other debt issue costs							(105		)				(105		)
	Employee stock purchases	240						79						319
	Intercompany transfers	(32,487		)	58,242			(25,755		)				0
	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(32,247		)	58,242			120,869			—			146,864
	Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	4,349			1,982			93,680			—			100,011
	Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	70,713			34			4,569						75,316
	Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	75,062		$	2,016		$	98,249		$	—		$	175,327
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	Three Months Ended December 31, 2014
					Non-
		Guarantor			guarantor			Parent						Headwaters
	(in thousands)	Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Company			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net income	$	20,839		$	1,206		$	6,839		$	(21,800	)	$	7,084
	Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
	Depreciation and amortization	12,089			713			108						12,910
	Interest expense related to amortization of debt issue costs and debt discount							525						525
	Stock-based compensation	238						381						619
	Net loss (gain) on disposition of property, plant and equipment	116			(9		)							107
	Loss on sale of discontinued operations, net of income taxes	45												45
	Net loss of unconsolidated joint ventures				221									221
	Equity in earnings of subsidiaries							(21,800		)	21,800			0
	Decrease in trade receivables	33,641			96									33,737
	Increase in inventories	(4,683		)	(132		)							(4,815		)
	Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(21,230		)	(423		)	(18,783		)				(40,436		)
	Other changes in operating assets and liabilities, net	(358		)	100			(1,591		)				(1,849		)
	Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	40,697			1,772			(34,321		)	—			8,148
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Business acquisition	(1,200		)										(1,200		)
	Investments in unconsolidated joint venture	(125		)										(125		)
	Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(7,403		)	(134		)	(1,234		)				(8,771		)
	Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment	315			10									325
	Net decrease (increase) in long-term receivables and deposits	(136		)				1,076						940
Net change in other assets	(89		)				214						125
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(8,638		)	(124		)	56			—			(8,706		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid to non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiary				(521		)							(521		)
Employee stock purchases	235			7			73						315
Intercompany transfers	(22,984		)	(2,146		)	25,130						0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(22,749		)	(2,660		)	25,203			—			(206		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	9,310			(1,012		)	(9,062		)	—			(764		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	33,552			5,764			113,226						152,542
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	42,862		$	4,752		$	104,164		$	—		$	151,778

Nature_of_Operations_and_Basis1

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	item
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation
Number of building materials segments	2
Percentage of total revenue and cost of revenue for services	10.00%	14.00%

Segment_Reporting_Details

Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014
	segment
Segment Reporting
Number of business segments	3
Segment revenue	$199,597	$165,615
Depreciation and amortization	-12,910	-13,047
Operating income (loss)	19,172	7,560
Net interest expense	-11,952	-10,056
Other income (expense), net	-269	12
Income tax benefit	200	350
Income (loss) from continuing operations	7,151	-2,134
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	-67	700
Net income (loss)	7,084	-1,434
Capital expenditures	8,771	6,888
Segment assets	874,308	903,427	903,427
Building Products
Segment Reporting
Segment revenue	117,534	93,012
Construction Materials
Segment Reporting
Segment revenue	81,404	71,521
Energy Technology
Segment Reporting
Segment revenue	659	1,082
Operating Segments | Building Products
Segment Reporting
Segment revenue	117,534	93,012
Depreciation and amortization	-8,713	-9,212
Operating income (loss)	11,948	5,086
Capital expenditures	6,021	4,452
Segment assets	394,675	411,968
Operating Segments | Construction Materials
Segment Reporting
Segment revenue	81,404	71,521
Depreciation and amortization	-3,736	-3,286
Operating income (loss)	13,488	9,933
Capital expenditures	1,348	1,185
Segment assets	317,097	325,140
Operating Segments | Energy Technology
Segment Reporting
Segment revenue	659	1,082
Depreciation and amortization	-353	-488
Operating income (loss)	-1,611	-2,286
Capital expenditures	168	230
Segment assets	23,185	22,674
Corporate, Non-Segment
Segment Reporting
Segment revenue	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	-108	-61
Operating income (loss)	-4,653	-5,173
Capital expenditures	1,234	1,021
Segment assets	$139,351	$143,645

Acquisitions_Details

Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 12, 2013	16-May-14	Sep. 30, 2014
	item
Acquisitions
Number of product categories in niche roofing	3
Estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Goodwill	$175,545,000				$175,586,000
Non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiary
Balance	13,252,000
Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interest	-245,000	6,000
Adjustment of estimated redemption value	276,000	0
Balance	13,252,000
Entegra
Acquisitions
Total cash consideration of acquisition			57,500,000
Fees for advisory, legal and other professional services					400,000
Estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Current assets			8,261,000
Current liabilities			-3,422,000
Property, plant and equipment			10,589,000
Goodwill			28,156,000
Net assets acquired			70,784,000
Less redeemable non-controlling interest			-13,252,000
Net assets attributable to Headwaters			57,532,000
Intangible assets acquired:
Period over which goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purpose			15 years
Noncontrolling equity interest (as a percent)			20.00%
Minimum period following the acquisition date after which remaining noncontrolling equity interest may be acquired			5 years
Minimum period following the acquisition date after which the noncontrolling owners may require remaining noncontrolling equity interests to be acquired			18 months
Non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiary
Balance	13,252,000
Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interest	245,000
Dividend	-521,000
Adjustment of estimated redemption value	276,000
Balance	13,252,000
Entegra | Trade Names
Intangible assets acquired:
Indefinite lived intangible assets			6,600,000
Entegra | Customer Relationships
Intangible assets acquired:
Finite lived intangible assets			20,600,000
Estimated useful lives			15 years
Roof Tile Acquisition LLC
Intangible assets acquired:
Percentage of equity interests acquired			80.00%
Gerard
Acquisitions
Total cash consideration of acquisition				27,000,000
Fees for advisory, legal and other professional services					300,000
Estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Current assets				9,236,000
Current liabilities				-1,869,000
Property, plant and equipment				8,314,000
Goodwill				7,291,000
Long-term liabilities				-3,906,000
Net assets acquired				26,966,000
Intangible assets acquired:
Period over which goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purpose				15 years
Gerard | Trade Names
Intangible assets acquired:
Indefinite lived intangible assets				3,900,000
Gerard | Customer Relationships
Intangible assets acquired:
Finite lived intangible assets				4,000,000
Estimated useful lives				15 years
Other Business Acquisitions
Acquisitions
Total cash consideration of acquisition	$1,200,000
Intangible assets acquired:
Percentage of equity interests acquired	100.00%

Discontinued_Operations_Detail

Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013
	item
Discontinued operations
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	($67,000)	$700,000
Coal Cleaning Business
Discontinued operations
Remaining assets held for sale			0
Revenue	0	0
Loss from operations of discontinued operations before income taxes	-22,000	-264,000
Gain (loss) on disposal	-45,000	964,000
Income tax provision	0	0
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	-67,000	700,000
Number of sales transactions in which the buyer agreed to assume the lease and certain reclamation obligations	1
Number of reclamation obligations	1
Accrued contingent liability for reclamation obligations	$8,000,000

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventories
Raw materials	$13,543	$12,017
Finished goods	43,016	38,616
Inventories	$56,559	$50,633

Intangible_Assets_Details

Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014
Gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets
Total Gross Carrying Amount	$322,932,000		$321,234,000
Accumulated Amortization	165,857,000		161,371,000
Amortization expense related to intangible assets	4,500,000	5,100,000
CCP Contracts
Gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	112,300,000		112,300,000
Accumulated Amortization	65,613,000		64,192,000
CCP Contracts | Minimum
Gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets
Estimated useful lives	15 years
CCP Contracts | Maximum
Gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets
Estimated useful lives	20 years
Customer Relationships
Gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	109,102,000		107,953,000
Accumulated Amortization	52,234,000		50,355,000
Customer Relationships | Minimum
Gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets
Estimated useful lives	5 years
Customer Relationships | Maximum
Gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets
Estimated useful lives	17 years
Trade Names
Gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	67,220,000		67,220,000
Accumulated Amortization	34,249,000		33,394,000
Trade Names | Minimum
Gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets
Estimated useful lives	5 years
Trade Names | Maximum
Gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets
Estimated useful lives	20 years
Patents and Patented Technologies
Gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	14,526,000		14,526,000
Accumulated Amortization	11,908,000		11,686,000
Patents and Patented Technologies | Minimum
Gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets
Estimated useful lives	5 years
Patents and Patented Technologies | Maximum
Gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets
Estimated useful lives	19 years
Other Intangible Assets
Gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	4,484,000		3,935,000
Accumulated Amortization	1,853,000		1,744,000
Other Intangible Assets | Minimum
Gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets
Estimated useful lives	5 years
Other Intangible Assets | Maximum
Gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets
Estimated useful lives	17 years
Trade Names
Gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	$15,300,000		$15,300,000

Intangible_Assets_Details_2

Intangible Assets (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Total currently estimated annual amortization expense
2015	$18,129
2016	17,910
2017	17,032
2018	16,983
2019	15,954
2020	$11,747

Longterm_Debt_Details

Long-term Debt (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Long-term debt
Debt instrument, face amount	$599,800	$599,800
Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of discount	599,619	599,579
Senior Secured Notes 7.625 Percent Due April 2019
Long-term debt
Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of discount	400,000	400,000
Interest rate on long-term debt (as a percent)	7.63%	7.63%	7.63%
Senior Notes 7.25 Percent Due January 2019
Long-term debt
Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of discount	150,000	150,000
Interest rate on long-term debt (as a percent)	7.25%	7.25%		7.25%
Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes 8.75 Percent Due 2016
Long-term debt
Debt instrument, face amount	49,791	49,791
Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of discount	$49,619	$49,579
Interest rate on long-term debt (as a percent)	8.75%	8.75%

Longterm_Debt_Details_2

Long-term Debt (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014
Senior Secured Notes 7.625 Percent Due April 2019
Long-term debt
Additional borrowings		$400
Net proceeds from senior secured notes		392.8
Interest rate on secured notes (as a percent)	7.63%	7.63%		7.63%
Purchase price of debt instrument, if there is a change in control (as a percent)	101.00%
Senior Secured Notes 7.625 Percent Due April 2019 | Debt Instrument, Redemption Period Commencing after March 31, 2015 | Maximum
Long-term debt
Debt instrument redemption price (as a percent)	103.80%
Senior Secured Notes 7.625 Percent Due April 2019 | Debt Instrument, Redemption Period Commencing after March 31, 2015 | Minimum
Long-term debt
Debt instrument redemption price (as a percent)	100.00%
Senior Secured Notes 7.625 Percent Due April 2019 | Debt Instrument, Redemption Period on or Prior to March 31, 2015
Long-term debt
Debt instrument redemption price in addition to a make-whole premium (as a percent)	100.00%
Senior Notes 7.25 Percent Due January 2019
Long-term debt
Additional borrowings			150
Net proceeds from senior secured notes			$146.70
Interest rate on secured notes (as a percent)	7.25%		7.25%	7.25%
Purchase price of debt instrument, if there is a change in control (as a percent)	101.00%
Senior Notes 7.25 Percent Due January 2019 | Debt Instrument Redemption Period Commencing after January 15, 2016 | Maximum
Long-term debt
Debt instrument redemption price (as a percent)	103.63%
Senior Notes 7.25 Percent Due January 2019 | Debt Instrument Redemption Period Commencing after January 15, 2016 | Minimum
Long-term debt
Debt instrument redemption price (as a percent)	100.00%
Senior Notes 7.25 Percent Due January 2019 | Debt Instrument Redemption Period on or Prior to January 15, 2016
Long-term debt
Redemption price of debt instrument if redeemed with proceeds from qualified equity offerings (as a percent)	107.25%
Debt instrument redemption price in addition to a make-whole premium (as a percent)	100.00%
Senior Notes 7.25 Percent Due January 2019 | Debt Instrument Redemption Period on or Prior to January 15, 2016 | Maximum
Long-term debt
Percentage of the principal amount of the debt instrument which the entity may redeem with proceeds from qualified equity offerings	35.00%

Longterm_Debt_Details_3

Long-term Debt (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets Based Revolving Line of Credit Facility
Long-term debt
Revolving credit arrangement amount outstanding	$0
Maximum borrowing capacity	70
Current borrowing capacity	60.3
Line of credit facility, interest rate at period end (as a percent)	2.00%
Termination date based on the earliest maturity date of the specified long-term debt	3 months
Assets Based Revolving Line of Credit Facility | Minimum
Long-term debt
Line of credit facility unused capacity commitment fee percentage	0.25%
Specified percentage of availability below which a monthly fixed charge coverage ratio applies	15.00%
Coverage ratio	1
Assets Based Revolving Line of Credit Facility | Maximum
Long-term debt
Line of credit facility unused capacity commitment fee percentage	0.38%
Assets Based Revolving Line of Credit Facility | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Long-term debt
Variable interest rate base	LIBOR
Percentage points added to the reference rate, one	1.75%
Percentage points added to the reference rate, two	2.00%
Percentage points added to the reference rate, three	2.25%
Assets Based Revolving Line of Credit Facility | Base Rate
Long-term debt
Variable interest rate base	Base rate
Percentage points added to the reference rate, one	0.50%
Percentage points added to the reference rate, two	0.75%
Percentage points added to the reference rate, three	1.00%
Assets Based Revolving Line of Credit Facility | Prime Rate
Long-term debt
Variable interest rate base	Prime rate
Assets Based Revolving Line of Credit Facility | Debt Instrument Variable Rate Base, Federal Funds Rate
Long-term debt
Variable interest rate base	Federal funds rate
Interest rate margin (as a percent)	0.50%
Assets Based Revolving Line of Credit Facility | Debt Instrument, Variable Rate Base, Thirty Day LIBOR
Long-term debt
Variable interest rate base	30-day LIBOR
Interest rate margin (as a percent)	1.00%
Letter of Credit
Long-term debt
Maximum borrowing capacity	35
Outstanding standby letters of credit	7.4
Swingline Facility
Long-term debt
Maximum borrowing capacity	$10.50

Longterm_Debt_Details_4

Long-term Debt (Details 4) (Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes 8.75 Percent Due 2016, USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
	item
Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes 8.75 Percent Due 2016
Long-term debt
Interest rate on long-term debt (as a percent)	8.75%	8.75%
Early redemption options, number	0
Conversion rate of notes to shares	0.0339236
Debt instrument convertible principal amount	$1,000
Debt instrument convertible conversion price (in dollars per share)	$29.48
Debt instrument conversion price observation period	20 days
Debt instrument convertible if closing stock price exceeds stated common stock price per share	$38.32
Debt instrument convertible if stock price exceeds stated common stock price per share consecutive trading days	30 days
Number of consecutive business days immediately after any ten-consecutive-trading-day period	5 days
Number of consecutive trading days before five consecutive business days during the note measurement period	10 days
Maximum percentage of the product of common stock trading price and number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion below which notes are convertible	98.00%

Longterm_Debt_Details_5

Long-term Debt (Details 5) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		13 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2014
Long-term Debt
Interest expense	$12,100,000	$10,200,000
Non-cash interest expense	525,000	570,000
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)	7.60%			7.60%
Amount of debt due to mature during a specified period			$0

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Long-term debt, fair value	$627	$626
Long-term debt, carrying value	$599.60	$599.60

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014
Income tax
Estimated effective income tax rate (as a percent)	10.00%	14.00%	14.00%
Income tax expense for discrete items in continuing operations	$0.90
Cumulative loss period			3 years
Net operating and capital loss carryforwards	67.7
Tax credit carryforwards	24.8
Unrecognized income tax benefits that may be released within next 12 months	$5
Minimum
Income tax
Carryover period for deferred tax attributes	20 years
Operating loss carryforwards expiration date	30-Sep-15
Tax credit carryforwards, expiration date	30-Sep-28
Maximum
Income tax
Operating loss carryforwards expiration date	30-Sep-34
Tax credit carryforwards, expiration date	30-Sep-34

Equity_Securities_and_StockBas1

Equity Securities and Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity Securities and Stock-Based Compensation
Treasury stock and related deferred compensation obligation at fair value	$1,000,000
Amount that the fair values of treasury stock and related deferred compensation obligation exceed the carrying values at cost	300,000
Stock-based compensation	619,000	466,000
Total compensation cost related to unvested awards not yet recognized	$4,500,000

Equity_Securities_and_StockBas2

Equity Securities and Stock-Based Compensation (Details 2) (2010 Incentive Compensation Plan)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
2010 Incentive Compensation Plan
Equity Securities and Stock-based Compensation
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Board Approved Grants to Officers, Employees, and Directors	0.3
Awards granted vesting period	3 years
Period of average stock price hurdles that precluded vesting	60 days

Earnings_per_Share_Details

Earnings per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Numerator:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$7,151	($2,134)
Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interest	-245	6
Adjustment of estimated redemption value of non-controlling interest	-276	0
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations - income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Headwaters Incorporated	6,630	-2,128
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share from discontinued operations - income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	-67	700
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share - net income (loss) attributable to Headwaters Incorporated	$6,563	($1,428)
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted-average shares outstanding	73,448	73,066
Effect of dilutive securities - shares issuable upon exercise of options and SARs and vesting of restricted stock	1,880	0
Denominator for diluted earnings per share - weighted-average shares outstanding after assumed exercises and vesting	75,328	73,066
Basic and diluted income (loss) per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.09	($0.03)
Basic and diluted income (loss) per share from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$0	$0.01
Earnings (loss) per share, basic and diluted, total (in dollars per share)	$0.09	($0.02)

Earnings_per_Share_Details_2

Earnings per Share (Details 2)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs)
Earnings per Share
Anti-dilutive securities not considered in diluted EPS calculation (in shares)	905	3,937
Employee and Nonemployee Stock Option
Earnings per Share
Anti-dilutive securities not considered in diluted EPS calculation (in shares)	105	618
Restricted Stock
Earnings per Share
Anti-dilutive securities not considered in diluted EPS calculation (in shares)	0	253

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs)
Commitments and Contingencies
Compensation expense	$1.30	$0.90
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs), 2011 Awards
Commitments and Contingencies
Grants approved by committee to employees for cash settled stock appreciation rights (in shares)			0.4
Grants approved by committee to employees for cash settled stock appreciation rights that remain outstanding (in shares)	0.1
Ending period for expected liability adjustment	30-Sep-15
Amount accrued for awards	1.1
Grant-date stock price (in dollars per share)	$3.81
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARS), 2012 Awards
Commitments and Contingencies
Average stock price period	60 days
Grants approved by committee to employees for cash settled stock appreciation rights (in shares)				1
Grants approved by committee to employees for cash settled stock appreciation rights that remain outstanding (in shares)	0.4
Ending period for expected liability adjustment	30-Sep-16
Amount accrued for awards	$4.80
Grant-date stock price (in dollars per share)	$1.85
Minimum | Stock Appreciation Rights (SARS), 2012 Awards
Commitments and Contingencies
Percentage of stock price on grant date	135.00%
Threshold stock price at which SARS will vest (in dollars per share)	$2.50

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 29, 2012	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2012
			item	item
Commitments and Contingencies
Long term capital commitments on property, plant and equipment	$1,800,000				1,800,000
Legal Matters
Commitments and Contingencies
Legal fees	500,000	500,000
Total liability accrued	2,500,000				2,500,000
Legal Matters | Minimum
Commitments and Contingencies
Potential loss for unresolved matters	2,500,000				2,500,000
Fentress Families Trust
Commitments and Contingencies
Number of plaintiffs			383
Number of defendants			15
Damages for removal and remediation of fly ash and water supply			850,000,000
Damages for vexation			1,900,000,000
Damages for others			8,000,000
Damages for properties plus prejudgment interest, attorney fees and costs			55,000,000
Additional damages sought by other plaintiffs			307,200,000
Number of insurers who have denied coverage				2
CPM Virginia LLC
Commitments and Contingencies
Loss contingency damages sought value						$500,000
Loss contingency potential damages sought					CPM alleges multiple causes of action and claims hundreds of millions of dollars in damages, including site remediation costs, punitive damages, and attorney fees.

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ2

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013
Long-term debt
Ownership percentage in guarantor subsidiaries	100.00%
Maximum percentage of ownership interest below which subsidiaries are considered non-guaranteeing	100.00%
Senior Secured Notes 7.625 Percent Due April 2019
Long-term debt
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	7.63%	7.63%	7.63%
Senior Notes 7.25 Percent Due January 2019
Long-term debt
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	7.25%	7.25%		7.25%

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ3

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$151,778	$152,542	$175,327	$75,316
Trade receivables, net	85,980	119,330
Inventories	56,559	50,633
Current and deferred income taxes	12,009	11,076
Other	10,673	10,536
Total current assets	316,999	344,117
Property, plant and equipment, net	181,995	182,111
Other assets:
Goodwill	175,545	175,586
Intangible assets, net	157,075	159,863
Other	42,694	41,750
Total other assets	375,314	377,199
Total assets	874,308	903,427	903,427
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	15,782	27,026
Accrued personnel costs	28,461	48,902
Accrued interest	14,456	18,273
Current income taxes	0	368
Other accrued liabilities	37,481	41,757
Total current liabilities	96,180	136,326
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt	599,619	599,579
Income taxes	23,242	23,242
Other	32,076	28,586
Total long-term liabilities	654,937	651,407
Total liabilities	751,117	787,733
Redeemable non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiary	13,252	13,252
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock	74	74
Capital in excess of par value	724,367	723,648
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	-613,849	-620,688
Treasury stock	-653	-592
Total stockholders' equity	109,939	102,442
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	874,308	903,427
Consolidation, Eliminations
Current assets:
Current and deferred income taxes	-24,326	-23,149
Total current assets	-24,326	-23,149
Other assets:
Investments in subsidiaries	-477,061	-406,327
Intercompany accounts and notes	-637,046	-637,046
Deferred income taxes	-64,586	-64,586
Total other assets	-1,178,693	-1,107,959
Total assets	-1,203,019	-1,131,108
Current liabilities:
Current income taxes	-24,326	-23,149
Total current liabilities	-24,326	-23,149
Long-term liabilities:
Income taxes	-64,586	-64,586
Intercompany accounts and notes	-688,067	-637,046
Total long-term liabilities	-752,653	-701,632
Total liabilities	-776,979	-724,781
Stockholders' equity:
Capital in excess of par value	-517,040	-519,127
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	91,000	112,800
Total stockholders' equity	-426,040	-406,327
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	-1,203,019	-1,131,108
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	42,862	33,552	75,062	70,713
Trade receivables, net	80,686	113,940
Inventories	54,276	48,482
Current and deferred income taxes	15,510	15,509
Other	8,419	9,286
Total current assets	201,753	220,769
Property, plant and equipment, net	162,324	162,458
Other assets:
Goodwill	145,027	145,068
Intangible assets, net	128,731	131,150
Deferred income taxes	41,658	41,658
Other	13,603	14,388
Total other assets	329,019	332,264
Total assets	693,096	715,491
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	14,746	25,643
Accrued personnel costs	7,645	13,483
Current income taxes	23,907	23,198
Other accrued liabilities	32,975	36,811
Total current liabilities	79,273	99,135
Long-term liabilities:
Income taxes	65,133	65,133
Intercompany accounts and notes	168,701	191,274
Other	16,059	16,167
Total long-term liabilities	249,893	272,574
Total liabilities	329,166	371,709
Stockholders' equity:
Capital in excess of par value	458,498	458,498
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	-94,568	-114,716
Total stockholders' equity	363,930	343,782
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	693,096	715,491
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	4,752	5,764	2,016	34
Trade receivables, net	5,294	5,390
Inventories	2,283	2,151
Current and deferred income taxes	289	289
Other	177	168
Total current assets	12,795	13,762
Property, plant and equipment, net	10,602	11,674
Other assets:
Goodwill	30,518	30,518
Intangible assets, net	28,344	28,713
Other	1,359	1,381
Total other assets	60,221	60,612
Total assets	83,618	86,048
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	838	956
Accrued personnel costs	403	418
Current income taxes	419	319
Other accrued liabilities	2,716	3,006
Total current liabilities	4,376	4,699
Long-term liabilities:
Income taxes	893	893
Intercompany accounts and notes	2,704	4,061
Other	735	774
Total long-term liabilities	4,332	5,728
Total liabilities	8,708	10,427
Redeemable non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiary	13,252	13,252
Stockholders' equity:
Capital in excess of par value	58,090	60,453
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	3,568	1,916
Total stockholders' equity	61,658	62,369
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	83,618	86,048
Parent Company
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	104,164	113,226	98,249	4,569
Current and deferred income taxes	20,536	18,427
Other	2,077	1,082
Total current assets	126,777	132,735
Property, plant and equipment, net	9,069	7,979
Other assets:
Investments in subsidiaries	477,061	406,327
Intercompany accounts and notes	637,046	637,046
Deferred income taxes	22,928	22,928
Other	27,732	25,981
Total other assets	1,164,767	1,092,282
Total assets	1,300,613	1,232,996
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	198	427
Accrued personnel costs	20,413	35,001
Accrued interest	14,456	18,273
Other accrued liabilities	1,790	1,940
Total current liabilities	36,857	55,641
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt	599,619	599,579
Income taxes	21,802	21,802
Intercompany accounts and notes	516,662	441,711
Other	15,282	11,645
Total long-term liabilities	1,153,365	1,074,737
Total liabilities	1,190,222	1,130,378
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock	74	74
Capital in excess of par value	724,819	723,824
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	-613,849	-620,688
Treasury stock	-653	-592
Total stockholders' equity	110,391	102,618
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$1,300,613	$1,232,996

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ4

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenue:
Total revenue	$199,597	$165,615
Cost of revenue:
Total cost of revenue	143,910	124,722
Gross profit	55,687	40,893
Operating expenses:
Amortization	4,486	5,106
Selling, general and administrative	32,029	28,227
Total operating expenses	36,515	33,333
Operating income	19,172	7,560
Other income (expense):
Net interest expense	-11,952	-10,056
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	0	0
Other, net	-269	12
Total other income (expense), net	-12,221	-10,044
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	6,951	-2,484
Income tax benefit (provision)	200	350
Income (loss) from continuing operations	7,151	-2,134
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	-67	700
Net income (loss)	7,084	-1,434
Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interest	-245	6
Net income (loss) attributable to Headwaters Incorporated	6,839	-1,428
Building Products
Revenue:
Total revenue	117,534	93,012
Cost of revenue:
Total cost of revenue	84,192	69,338
Construction Materials
Revenue:
Total revenue	81,404	71,521
Cost of revenue:
Total cost of revenue	59,511	54,765
Energy Technology
Revenue:
Total revenue	659	1,082
Cost of revenue:
Total cost of revenue	207	619
Consolidation, Eliminations
Other income (expense):
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	-21,800	-11,651
Total other income (expense), net	-21,800	-11,651
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	-21,800	-11,651
Income (loss) from continuing operations	-21,800	-11,651
Net income (loss)	-21,800	-11,651
Net income (loss) attributable to Headwaters Incorporated	-21,800	-11,651
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Revenue:
Total revenue	188,456	163,940
Cost of revenue:
Total cost of revenue	136,236	123,253
Gross profit	52,220	40,687
Operating expenses:
Amortization	4,118	5,106
Selling, general and administrative	25,802	22,801
Total operating expenses	29,920	27,907
Operating income	22,300	12,780
Other income (expense):
Net interest expense	-44	-21
Other, net	-80	45
Total other income (expense), net	-124	24
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	22,176	12,804
Income tax benefit (provision)	-1,270	-1,779
Income (loss) from continuing operations	20,906	11,025
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	-67	700
Net income (loss)	20,839	11,725
Net income (loss) attributable to Headwaters Incorporated	20,839	11,725
Guarantor Subsidiaries | Building Products
Revenue:
Total revenue	106,393	91,337
Cost of revenue:
Total cost of revenue	76,518	67,869
Guarantor Subsidiaries | Construction Materials
Revenue:
Total revenue	81,404	71,521
Cost of revenue:
Total cost of revenue	59,511	54,765
Guarantor Subsidiaries | Energy Technology
Revenue:
Total revenue	659	1,082
Cost of revenue:
Total cost of revenue	207	619
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Revenue:
Total revenue	11,141	1,675
Cost of revenue:
Total cost of revenue	7,674	1,469
Gross profit	3,467	206
Operating expenses:
Amortization	368
Selling, general and administrative	1,574	253
Total operating expenses	1,942	253
Operating income	1,525	-47
Other income (expense):
Other, net	-189	-33
Total other income (expense), net	-189	-33
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	1,336	-80
Income tax benefit (provision)	-130
Income (loss) from continuing operations	1,206	-80
Net income (loss)	1,206	-80
Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interest	-245	6
Net income (loss) attributable to Headwaters Incorporated	961	-74
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Building Products
Revenue:
Total revenue	11,141	1,675
Cost of revenue:
Total cost of revenue	7,674	1,469
Parent Company
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	4,653	5,173
Total operating expenses	4,653	5,173
Operating income	-4,653	-5,173
Other income (expense):
Net interest expense	-11,908	-10,035
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	21,800	11,651
Total other income (expense), net	9,892	1,616
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	5,239	-3,557
Income tax benefit (provision)	1,600	2,129
Income (loss) from continuing operations	6,839	-1,428
Net income (loss)	6,839	-1,428
Net income (loss) attributable to Headwaters Incorporated	$6,839	($1,428)

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ5

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 4) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$7,084	($1,434)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	12,910	13,047
Interest expense related to amortization of debt issue costs and debt discount	525	570
Stock-based compensation	619	466
Net loss on disposition of property, plant and equipment	107	361
Loss (gain) on sale of discontinued operations, net of income taxes	45	-964
Net loss of unconsolidated joint ventures	221	49
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	0	0
Decrease in trade receivables	33,737	38,929
Decrease (increase) in inventories	-4,815	-4,782
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-40,436	-32,850
Other changes in operating assets and liabilities, net	-1,849	-2,779
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	8,148	10,613
Cash flows from investing activities:
Business acquisitions	-1,200	-57,550
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	-125	-750
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	-8,771	-6,888
Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment	325	111
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations	0	4,666
Net decrease in long-term receivables and deposits	940	2,810
Net change in other assets	125	135
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-8,706	-57,466
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	146,650
Dividends paid to non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiary	-521	0
Other debt issue costs	0	-105
Employee stock purchases	315	319
Intercompany transfers	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-206	146,864
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-764	100,011
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	152,542	75,316
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	151,778	175,327
Consolidation, Eliminations
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	-21,800	-11,651
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	21,800	11,651
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	20,839	11,725
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	12,089	12,918
Stock-based compensation	238	197
Net loss on disposition of property, plant and equipment	116	316
Loss (gain) on sale of discontinued operations, net of income taxes	45	-964
Decrease in trade receivables	33,641	38,426
Decrease (increase) in inventories	-4,683	-5,119
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-21,230	-21,485
Other changes in operating assets and liabilities, net	-358	-784
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	40,697	35,230
Cash flows from investing activities:
Business acquisitions	-1,200
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures	-125
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	-7,403	-5,847
Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment	315	111
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations		4,666
Net decrease in long-term receivables and deposits	-136	2,511
Net change in other assets	-89	-75
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-8,638	1,366
Cash flows from financing activities:
Employee stock purchases	235	240
Intercompany transfers	-22,984	-32,487
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-22,749	-32,247
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	9,310	4,349
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	33,552	70,713
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	33,552
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	42,862	75,062
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	42,862
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	1,206	-80
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	713	68
Net loss on disposition of property, plant and equipment	-9
Net loss of unconsolidated joint ventures	221	49
Decrease in trade receivables	96	503
Decrease (increase) in inventories	-132	337
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-423	1,043
Other changes in operating assets and liabilities, net	100	140
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	1,772	2,060
Cash flows from investing activities:
Business acquisitions		-57,550
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures		-750
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	-134	-20
Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment	10
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-124	-58,320
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid to non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiary	-521
Employee stock purchases	7
Intercompany transfers	-2,146	58,242
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-2,660	58,242
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-1,012	1,982
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	5,764	34
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	4,752	2,016
Parent Company
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	6,839	-1,428
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	108	61
Interest expense related to amortization of debt issue costs and debt discount	525	570
Stock-based compensation	381	269
Net loss on disposition of property, plant and equipment		45
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	-21,800	-11,651
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-18,783	-12,408
Other changes in operating assets and liabilities, net	-1,591	-2,135
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-34,321	-26,677
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	-1,234	-1,021
Net decrease in long-term receivables and deposits	1,076	299
Net change in other assets	214	210
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	56	-512
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		146,650
Other debt issue costs		-105
Employee stock purchases	73	79
Intercompany transfers	25,130	-25,755
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	25,203	120,869
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-9,062	93,680
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	113,226	4,569
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$104,164	$98,249