Quanex Building Products (NX) 10-Q 3 Mar 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 25, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Quanex Building Products Corporation
Trading Symbol	NX
Entity Central Index Key	1423221
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-21
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Jan-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		33,869,560

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$63,924	$120,384
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $718 and $698	39,334	55,193
Inventories, net (Note 3)	59,831	57,358
Deferred income taxes (Note 8)	24,662	21,442
Prepaid and other current assets	5,715	6,052
Total current assets	193,466	260,429
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $205,872 and $200,414	110,033	109,487
Deferred income taxes (Note 8)	7,295	1,545
Goodwill (Note 4)	68,802	70,546
Intangible assets, net (Note 4)	67,889	70,150
Other assets	5,524	4,956
Total assets	453,009	517,113
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	31,016	41,488
Accrued liabilities	22,920	32,482
Income taxes payable (Note 8)	0	107
Current maturities of long-term debt (Note 5)	190	199
Total current liabilities	54,126	74,276
Long-term debt (Note 5)	568	586
Deferred pension and postretirement benefits (Note 6)	5,309	4,818
Liability for uncertain tax positions (Note 8)	548	4,626
Other liabilities	11,152	11,887
Total liabilities	71,703	96,193
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, no par value, shares authorized 1,000,000; issued and outstanding - none	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value, shares authorized 125,000,000; issued 37,622,163 and 37,632,032, respectively; outstanding 33,976,102 and 36,214,332, respectively	376	376
Additional paid-in-capital	249,497	249,600
Retained earnings	207,760	202,319
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-8,528	-5,708
Less: Treasury stock at cost, 3,646,061 and 1,417,700 shares, respectively	-67,799	-25,667
Total stockholders’ equity	381,306	420,920
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$453,009	$517,113

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$718	$698
Accumulated depreciation of property, plant and equipment	$205,872	$200,414
Preferred stock, no par value	$0	$0
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value (in usd per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	125,000,000	125,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	37,622,163	37,632,032
Common stock, shares outstanding	33,976,102	36,214,332
Treasury stock, shares	3,646,061	1,417,700

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$127,893	$126,379
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)	105,804	96,189
Selling, general and administrative	19,496	22,503
Depreciation and amortization	8,208	8,544
Asset impairment charges	0	5
Operating loss	-5,615	-862
Non-operating income (expense):
Interest expense	-141	-141
Other, net	-151	96
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	-5,907	-907
Income tax benefit (expense)	2,813	-304
Loss from continuing operations	-3,094	-1,211
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax of $15 and $(1,579), respectively	23	-2,689
Net loss	($3,071)	($3,900)
Basic loss per common share:
From continuing operations (in usd per share)	($0.09)	($0.03)
From discontinued operations (in usd per share)	$0	($0.08)
Loss per share, basic (in usd per share)	($0.09)	($0.11)
Diluted loss per common share:
From continuing operations (in usd per share)	($0.09)	($0.03)
From discontinued operations (in usd per share)	$0	($0.08)
Loss per share, diluted (in usd per share)	($0.09)	($0.11)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	35,079	37,003
Diluted (in shares)	35,079	37,003
Cash dividends per share (in usd per share)	$0.04	$0.04

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Income tax expense (benefit) of discontinued operations	$15	($1,579)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net loss	($3,071)	($3,900)
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments (loss) gain (pretax)	-2,849	55
Foreign currency translation adjustments tax benefit	0	14
Change in pension from net unamortized gain adjustment (pretax)	0	122
Change in pension from net unamortized gain tax benefit	29	0
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	-2,820	191
Comprehensive loss	($5,891)	($3,709)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Operating activities:
Net loss	($3,071)	($3,900)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used for operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	8,208	10,294
Stock-based compensation	1,264	1,090
Deferred income tax benefit	-3,239	-1,885
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	-60	-1
Asset impairment charges	0	510
Other, net	-478	728
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:
Decrease in accounts receivable	15,323	26,654
Increase in inventory	-2,920	-15,998
Increase in other current assets	-12	-594
Decrease in accounts payable	-10,298	-10,894
Decrease in accrued liabilities	-10,934	-15,027
(Decrease) increase in income taxes payable	-58	26
Increase in deferred pension and postretirement benefits	520	915
Increase (decrease) in other long-term liabilities	13	-1,087
Other, net	-5	-2,315
Cash used for operating activities	-5,747	-11,484
Investing activities:
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	-5,161
Capital expenditures	-7,321	-6,748
Proceeds from property insurance claim	513	400
Proceeds from disposition of capital assets	0	303
Cash used for investing activities	-6,808	-11,206
Financing activities:
Repayments of other long-term debt	-23	-26
Common stock dividends paid	-1,448	-1,490
Issuance of common stock	0	331
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	60	1
Purchase of treasury stock	-42,748	0
Cash used for financing activities	-44,159	-1,184
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	254	-55
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-56,460	-23,929
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	120,384	49,736
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$63,924	$25,807

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme4

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Treasury Stock
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Balance at beginning of period at Oct. 31, 2014	$420,920	$376	$249,600	$202,319	($5,708)	($25,667)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss	-3,071			-3,071
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-2,849				-2,849
Common dividends ($0.04 per share)	-1,448			-1,448
Purchase of treasury stock	-43,404					-43,404
Stock-based compensation activity:
Expense related to stock-based compensation	1,264		1,264
Tax benefit from share-based compensation	60		60
Restricted stock awards granted	0		-1,273			1,273
Recognition of unrecognized tax benefit (Note 8)	10,003			10,003
Other	-169	0	-154	-43	29	-1
Balance at end of period at Jan. 31, 2015	$381,306	$376	$249,497	$207,760	($8,528)	($67,799)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme5

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustment, tax	$0	$14
Common stock, dividends per share (in usd per share)	$0.04	$0.04

Nature_of_Operations_and_Basis

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation	Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation
	Quanex Building Products Corporation manufactures components primarily for the window and door (fenestration) industry, which include (1) energy-efficient flexible insulating glass spacers, (2) extruded vinyl profiles, (3) window and door screens, and (4) precision-formed metal and wood products for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), as well as certain non-fenestration components, which include solar panel sealants, wood flooring and furniture moldings. Quanex Building Products Corporation serves a primary customer base in North America and also serves customers in international markets through operating plants in the United Kingdom and Germany, as well as through sales and marketing efforts in other countries.
	Unless the context indicates otherwise, references to "Quanex", the "Company", "we", "us" and "our" refer to the consolidated business operations of Quanex Building Products Corporation and its subsidiaries.
	The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Quanex Building Products Corporation. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. These financial statements have been prepared by us, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The consolidated balance sheet as of October 31, 2014 was derived from audited financial information, but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. The accompanying financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014. In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements contain all adjustments (which consist of normal recurring adjustments, except as disclosed herein) necessary to fairly present our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods. The results of operations for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or for any future periods.
	In preparing financial statements, we make informed judgments and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We review our estimates on an on-going basis, including those related to impairment of long lived assets and goodwill, contingencies and income taxes. Changes in facts and circumstances may result in revised estimates and actual results may differ from these estimates.
	Discontinued Operations
	Prior to April 1, 2014, we had two reportable business segments: (1) Engineered Products and (2) Aluminum Sheet Products. On April 1, 2014, we sold our interest in a limited liability company which held the assets of the Nichols Aluminum business (Nichols), the sole operating segment included in our Aluminum Sheet Products reportable segment, to Aleris International, Inc.
	(Aleris), a privately held Delaware corporation which provides aluminum rolled products and extrusions, aluminum recycling and specification aluminum alloy production. We received net proceeds of $107.4 million, which is net of a working capital adjustment of $2.6 million which we paid in June 2014, resulting in a gain on the transaction of $24.1 million, net of related taxes of $15.1 million.
	Nichols represented a significant portion of our assets and operations. We accounted for this sale as a discontinued operation. We revised our financial statements and removed the results of operations of Nichols from net income (loss) from continuing operations, and presented separately as income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes, for each of the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income (loss). Unless noted otherwise, the notes to the consolidated financial statements pertain to our continuing operations.
	For cash flow statement presentation, the sources and uses of cash for Nichols are presented as operating, investing and financing cash flows, as applicable, combined with such cash flows for continuing operations for the three months ended January 31, 2014, as permitted by U.S. GAAP.
	We have historically purchased rolled aluminum product from Nichols. We expect to continue to purchase aluminum from Nichols in the normal course of business. We considered whether these aluminum purchases and the services provided under a transition services agreement for the period from April 1, 2014 to May 31, 2014 constituted significant continuing involvement with Nichols. Since these purchases are in the normal course of business and the services provided were for a relatively short period and are customary for similar transactions, we determined that this involvement was not deemed significant and did not preclude accounting for the transaction as a discontinued operation. Our purchases of aluminum product from Nichols for the three-month periods ended January 31, 2015 and 2014 were $4.5 million and $3.5 million, respectively.
	In November 2013, Nichols experienced a fire at its Decatur, Alabama facility, which damaged a cold mill used to roll aluminum sheet to a desired thickness. The loss was insured, subject to a $0.5 million deductible. We capitalized $6.5 million to rebuild the asset, which was returned to service as of March 31, 2014. We incurred costs of $2.3 million associated with this loss, including an impairment of $0.5 million related to retirement of the asset, moving costs, outside service costs, clean-up and the deductible. To date, we have received insurance proceeds of $5.3 million. We have revised our estimate of total insurance proceeds expected related to this loss to approximately $6.8 million, resulting in an expected gain on involuntary conversion of $4.4 million of which we have recognized $2.9 million. We estimate the remaining gain on involuntary conversion at $1.5 million and that this gain will be recognized during fiscal 2015, when and to the extent that insurance proceeds are received, which will result in an increase in income from discontinued operations, net of tax.
	Income from discontinued operations for the three months ended January 31, 2015 was reduced by $0.3 million, net of tax, associated with a health insurance claim amount reimbursable to the stop-loss insurance provider.
	The following table summarizes the operating results for Nichols for the three-month period ended January 31, 2014:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
		(In thousands, except per  share amounts)
	Net sales	$	79,491
	Operating loss	(4,251		)
	Loss before income taxes	(4,268		)
	Income tax benefit	1,579
	Net loss	$	(2,689	)
	Basic loss per common share	$	(0.08	)
	Diluted loss per common share	$	(0.08	)
	Product Sales
	We produce a wide variety of products that are used in the fenestration industry, including: window and door systems design, engineering and fabrication; accessory trim profiles with real wood veneers and wood grain laminate finishes; window spacer systems; extruded vinyl products; metal fabrication; and astragals, thresholds and screens. In addition, we produce certain non-fenestration products, including: wood and aluminum grilles, flooring and furniture moldings, solar edge tape and other products. Historically, we have presented product sales information at the reportable segment level, and we attribute our net sales based on the location of the customer. We currently have one reportable operating segment, which includes this breadth of product offerings across the fenestration and non-fenestration spectrum, but for which there are common economic and other characteristics that meet the criteria for aggregation, as discussed in Note 14, "Segment Information".
	The following table summarizes our product sales for the three-month periods ended January 31, 2015 and 2014 into general groupings to provide additional information to our shareholders.
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
		2015			2014
	Product Group:	(In thousands)
	United States - fenestration	$	96,191		$	97,424
	International - fenestration	17,776			18,623
	United States - non-fenestration	9,474			7,191
	International - non-fenestration	4,452			3,141
	Total sales	$	127,893		$	126,379

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	Acquisitions
	On December 31, 2013, we acquired certain vinyl extrusion assets of Atrium Windows and Doors, Inc. (Atrium) at a facility in Greenville, Texas, for $5.2 million in cash (Greenville). We accounted for this transaction as a business combination resulting in an insignificant gain on the purchase. We entered into a supply agreement with Atrium related to the products produced at Greenville. We believe this acquisition expanded our vinyl extrusion capacity and positioned us with a platform from which to better serve our customers in the southern United States.
	The purchase price has been allocated to the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as indicated in the table below.
		As of Date of
		Opening Balance Sheet
		(In thousands)
	Net assets acquired:
	Inventories	$	161
	Prepaid and other current assets	145
	Property, plant and equipment	4,695
	Intangible assets	290
	Deferred income tax liability	(50		)
	Net assets acquired	$	5,241
	Consideration:
	Cash, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	$	5,161
	Gain recognized on bargain purchase	$	80
	We used recognized valuation techniques to determine the fair value of the assets and liabilities, including the income approach for customer relationships, with a discount rate that reflects the risk of the expected future cash flows. The gain on bargain purchase of approximately $0.1 million is included in "Other, net" on our condensed consolidated statement of income (loss) for the three months ended January 31, 2014.
	Pro forma results of operations were omitted because this acquisition was not deemed to be material to our results of operations for the three months ended January 31, 2014.

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	Inventories
	Inventories consisted of the following at January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014:
		January 31,		October 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	Raw materials	$	38,133	$	36,751
	Finished goods and work in process	26,614		25,558
	Supplies and other	1,063		806
	Total	65,810		63,115
	Less: Inventory reserves	5,979		5,757
	Inventories, net	$	59,831	$	57,358
	Fixed costs related to excess manufacturing capacity, if any, have been expensed in the period they were incurred and, therefore, are not capitalized into inventory.
	Our inventories at January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014 were valued using the following costing methods:
		January 31,		October 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	LIFO	$	6,908	$	5,122
	FIFO	52,923		52,236
	Total	$	59,831	$	57,358
	During interim periods, we estimate a LIFO reserve based on our expectations of year-end inventory levels and costs. If our calculations indicate that an adjustment at year-end will be required, we record a proportionate share of this amount during the period. At year-end, we calculate the actual LIFO reserve and record an adjustment for the difference between the annual calculation and any estimates recognized during the interim periods.  Because the interim projections are subject to many factors beyond our control, the results could differ significantly from the year-end LIFO calculation. We recorded no interim LIFO allocation for the three-month periods ended January 31, 2015 and 2014.
	For inventories valued under the LIFO method, replacement cost exceeded the LIFO value by approximately $1.4 million at January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Goodwill
	The change in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three months ended January 31, 2015 was as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		31-Jan-15
		(In thousands)
	Beginning balance as of November 1, 2014	70,546
	Foreign currency translation adjustment	(1,744		)
	Balance as of the end of the period	$	68,802
	During the fourth quarter of 2014, we evaluated our goodwill balances for indicators of impairment and performed an annual goodwill impairment test to determine the recoverability of these assets. Three of our reporting units had goodwill at October 31, 2014 which totaled $55.2 million, $12.6 million and $2.8 million. We determined that our goodwill was not impaired and there have been no triggering events to indicate impairment during the three months ended January 31, 2015, so no additional testing was deemed necessary.
	Identifiable Intangible Assets
	Amortizable intangible assets consisted of the following as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014:
		31-Jan-15					31-Oct-14
		Gross Carrying			Accumulated		Gross Carrying		Accumulated
		Amount			Amortization		Amount		Amortization
		(In thousands)
	Customer relationships	$	53,083		$	20,722	$	53,083	$	19,700
	Trademarks and trade names	44,722			21,036		44,722		20,343
	Patents and other technology	25,244			13,702		25,244		13,228
	Other	1,392			1,092		1,392		1,020
	Total	$	124,441		$	56,552	$	124,441	$	54,291
	We do not estimate a residual value associated with these intangible assets. Included in intangible assets as of January 31, 2015 were customer relationships of $0.2 million associated with the Greenville acquisition. These assets have estimated remaining useful lives of four years. See Note 2, "Acquisitions", included herewith.
	We had aggregate amortization expense of $2.3 million for each of the three-month periods ended January 31, 2015 and 2014.
	Estimated remaining amortization expense, assuming current intangible balances and no new acquisitions, for each of the fiscal years ending October 31, was as follows (in thousands):
		Estimated
		Amortization Expense
	2015 (remaining nine months)	$	6,916
	2016	8,713
	2017	8,607
	2018	8,360
	2019	7,571
	Thereafter	27,722
	Total	$	67,889

Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Obligat

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
	Debt consisted of the following at January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014:
		January 31,		October 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	Revolving Credit Facility	$	—	$	—
	City of Richmond, Kentucky Industrial Building Revenue Bonds	600		600
	Capital lease obligations	158		185
	Total debt	758		785
	Less: Current maturities of long-term debt	190		199
	Long-term debt	$	568	$	586
	On January 28, 2013, we entered into a Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility (the Credit Facility) that has a five-year term and permits aggregate borrowings at any time of up to $150.0 million, with a letter of credit sub-facility, a swing line sub-facility and a multi-currency sub-facility. Borrowings denominated in United States dollars bear interest at a spread above the London Interbank Borrowing Rate (LIBOR) or a base rate derived from the prime rate. Foreign denominated borrowings bear interest at a spread above the LIBOR applicable to such currencies. Subject to customary conditions, we may request that the aggregate commitments under the Credit Facility be increased by up to $100.0 million, with total commitments not to exceed $250.0 million.
	The Credit Facility requires us to comply with certain financial covenants, the terms of which are defined therein. Specifically, we must not permit, on a quarterly basis, our ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense as defined (Minimum Interest Coverage Ratio), to fall below 3.00:1 or our ratio of consolidated funded debt to consolidated EBITDA, as defined (Maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio), to exceed 3.25:1. The Maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio is the ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense, in each case for the previous four consecutive fiscal quarters. EBITDA is defined by the indenture to include pro forma EBITDA of acquisitions and to exclude certain items such as goodwill and intangible asset impairments and certain other non-cash charges and non-recurring items. Subject to our compliance with the covenant requirements, the amount available under the Credit Facility is a function of: (1) our trailing twelve-month EBITDA; (2) the Minimum Interest Coverage Ratio and Maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio allowed under the Credit Facility; and (3) the aggregate amount of our outstanding debt and letters of credit. As of January 31, 2015, we were in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in the Credit Facility.
	As of January 31, 2015, the amount available to us for use under the Credit Facility was $124.7 million and we had outstanding letters of credit of $6.0 million. For the three-month period ended January 31, 2015, we did not borrow any amounts under the Credit Facility, and thus had no outstanding borrowings at January 31, 2015. Our current borrowing rate under the Credit Facility was 3.25% and 1.20% for the swing-line sub facility and the revolver, respectively, at January 31, 2015. As of October 31, 2014, the amount available to us for use under the Credit Facility was $140.7 million and we had outstanding letters of credit of $6.1 million. Our borrowing rate under the Credit Facility was 3.25% and 1.20% for the swing-line sub facility and the revolver, respectively, at October 31, 2014.

Retirement_Plans

Retirement Plans	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Retirement Plans	Retirement Plans
	Pension Plan
	Our non-contributory, single employer defined benefit pension plan covers a majority of our employees. Employees of acquired companies are covered after a transitional period. The net periodic pension cost for this plan for the three-month periods ended January 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Service cost	$	881		$	920
	Interest cost	253			263
	Expected return on plan assets	(461		)	(423		)
	Amortization of net loss	—			—
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	673		$	760
	During 2014, we contributed approximately $4.1 million to fund our plan, and we expect to make a contribution to our plan in September 2015.
	Other Plans
	We also have a supplemental benefit plan covering certain executive officers and a non-qualified deferred compensation plan covering members of the Board of Directors and certain key employees. As of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014, our liability under the supplemental benefit plan was approximately $1.8 million and $1.9 million, respectively, and under the deferred compensation plan was approximately $3.4 million for both periods. In January 2014, we paid $3.3 million related to the deferred compensation plan as a result of the separation of our former chief executive officer in July 2013. We record the current portion of liabilities under these plans under the caption "Accrued Liabilities," and the long-term portion was included under the caption "Other Liabilities" in the accompanying balance sheets.

Warranty_Obligations

Warranty Obligations	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Warranty Obligations	Warranty Obligations
	We accrue warranty obligations as we recognize revenue associated with certain products. We make provisions for our warranty obligations based upon historical experience of costs incurred for such obligations adjusted, as necessary, for current conditions and factors. During January 2014, we reduced our warranty accrual by $2.8 million for certain products associated with our insulating glass business that were discontinued in a prior year and for which claim activity for a particular customer had ceased. There are significant uncertainties and judgments involved in estimating our warranty obligations, including changing product designs, differences in customer installation processes and future claims experience which may vary from historical claims experience. Therefore, the ultimate amount we incur as warranty costs in the near and long-term may not be consistent with our current estimate.
	A reconciliation of the activity related to our accrued warranty, including both the current and long-term portions (reported in accrued liabilities and other liabilities, respectively, on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet) follows:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31, 2015
		(In thousands)
	Beginning balance as of November 1, 2014	$	671
	Provision for warranty expense	226
	Change in accrual for preexisting warranties	317
	Warranty costs paid	(76		)
	Total accrued warranty as of the end of the period	$	1,138
	Less: Current portion of accrued warranty	757
	Long-term portion of accrued warranty	$	381
	The increase in the warranty accrual during the three months ended January 31, 2015 was primarily attributable to a specific claim related to our vinyl extrusion products stemming from a change in formulation.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	To determine our income tax expense for interim periods, consistent with accounting standards, we apply the estimated annual effective income tax rate to year-to-date results. Our estimated annual effective tax rates from continuing operations for the three months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, were a benefit of 47.6% and expense of 33.5%, respectively. The increase in the 2015 effective tax rate is attributable to a discrete benefit item resulting from the reassessment of our uncertain tax position related to the liability associated with the tax benefit recorded in conjunction with the 2008 spin-off of Quanex from a predecessor company. Excluding this item, the effective tax rate was 34.1%. The decrease in the 2014 effective rate is attributable to the change in the tax status of our facility in the United Kingdom (UK). On November 1, 2013, the assets of our UK branch were contributed to a newly formed wholly-owned UK subsidiary. This change resulted in a U.S. taxable charge and was booked as a discrete item in the first quarter. Without the discrete item, the 2014 effective tax rate was a benefit of 38.7%.
	As of January 31, 2015, our unrecognized tax benefit (UTB) relates to certain state tax items regarding the interpretation of tax laws and regulations. The total UTB at October 31, 2014 included the UTB associated with the 2008 spin-off and totaled $11.4 million. Of this amount, $4.6 million was recorded as a liability for uncertain tax positions and $6.8 million was recorded as deferred income taxes (non-current assets) on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. During the three months ended January 31, 2015, we reassessed our unrecognized tax benefit related to the 2008 spin-off of Quanex from a predecessor company and recognized the full benefit of the tax positions taken. This reduced the liability for uncertain tax positions by $4.0 million and increased deferred income taxes (non-current assets) by $6.8 million and resulted in a non-cash increase in retained earnings of $10.0 million and an increase in income tax benefit of $0.8 million. At January 31, 2015, $0.5 million is recorded as a liability for uncertain tax positions. The disallowance of the UTB would not materially affect the annual effective tax rate.
	We evaluate the likelihood of realization of our deferred tax assets by considering both positive and negative evidence. We believe there is no need for a valuation allowance of the federal net operating losses. We will continue to evaluate our position throughout the year. We maintain a valuation allowance for certain state net operating losses which totaled $1.4 million at January 31, 2015.
	Judgment is required in assessing the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. The final outcome of the future tax consequences of legal proceedings, if any, as well as the outcome of competent authority proceedings, changes in regulatory tax laws, or interpretation of those tax laws could impact our financial statements. We are subject to the effect of these matters occurring in various jurisdictions. We do not believe any of the UTB will be recognized within the next twelve months.
	Our federal income tax returns for the tax years ended October 31, 2011 and 2012 were examined by the Internal Revenue Service and no adjustments were made.

Contingencies

Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingencies	Contingencies
	Environmental
	We are subject to extensive laws and regulations concerning the discharge of materials into the environment and the remediation of chemical contamination. We accrue our best estimates of our remediation obligations and adjust these accruals when further information becomes available or circumstances change.
	We are currently not subject to any remediation activities. Prior to April 1, 2014, we had remediation activities associated with one of our subsidiaries, Nichols Aluminum-Alabama, LLC, a component business unit of Nichols. As discussed in Note 1, "Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation - Discontinued Operations", on April 1, 2014, we sold Nichols and the liabilities associated with this on-going remediation effort were assumed by Aleris International, Inc.
	Spacer Migration
	We were notified by certain customers through our German operation that the vapor barrier employed on certain spacer products manufactured prior to March 2014 may fail and permit spacer migration in certain extreme circumstances. This product does not have a specific customer warranty, but we have received claims from customers related to this issue, which we continue to investigate. We incurred expense of $1.8 million during 2014 associated with this issue, including an accrual of $1.2 million at October 31, 2014 for any asserted claim that we deem to be reasonably possible and estimable. The balance of this accrual at January 31, 2015 was $0.9 million, reflecting net claim payments of $0.2 million and a translation adjustment of approximately $0.1 million. We cannot estimate any future liability with regard to unasserted claims. We will investigate any future claims, but we are not obligated to honor any future claims.
	Litigation
	From time to time, we, along with our subsidiaries, are involved in various litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of our business. Although the ultimate resolution and impact of such litigation is not presently determinable, we believe that the eventual outcome of such litigation will not have a material adverse effect on our overall financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Derivative_Instruments

Derivative Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments	Derivative Instruments
	Our derivative activities are subject to the management, direction, and control of the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer. Certain transactions in excess of specified levels require further approval from the Board of Directors.
	The nature of our business activities requires the management of various financial and market risks, including those related to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. We have historically used foreign currency forwards and options to mitigate or eliminate certain of those risks at our subsidiaries. We use foreign currency contracts to offset fluctuations in the value of accounts receivable and accounts payable balances that are denominated in currencies other than the United States dollar, including the Euro, British Pound and Canadian Dollar. Currently, we do not enter into derivative transactions for speculative or trading purposes. We are exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to our derivative transactions. We attempt to mitigate this risk by monitoring the creditworthiness of our counterparties and limiting our exposure to individual counterparties. In addition, we have established master netting agreements in certain cases to facilitate the settlement of gains and losses on specific derivative contracts.
	We have not designated any of our derivative contracts as hedges for accounting purposes in accordance with the provisions under the Accounting Standards Codification topic 815 "Derivatives and Hedging" (ASC 815). Therefore, changes in the fair value of these contracts and the realized gains and losses are recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of income (loss) for the three-month periods ended January 31, 2015 and 2014 as follows (in thousands):
				Three Months Ended
				January 31,
	Location of Gain or (Loss):			2015				2014
	Other, net	Foreign currency derivatives		$	652			$	114
	We have chosen not to offset any of our derivative instruments in accordance with the provisions of ASC 815. Therefore, the assets and liabilities are presented on a gross basis on our accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	The fair values of our outstanding derivative contracts as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		January 31, 2015				October 31, 2014
	Prepaid and other current assets:
	Foreign currency derivatives	$	34			$	69
	Accrued liabilities:
	Foreign currency derivatives	$	(7	)		$	—
	The following table summarizes the notional amounts and fair value of outstanding derivative contracts at January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014 (in thousands):
			Notional as indicated							Fair Value in $
			January 31,			October 31,				January 31,			October 31,
			2015			2014				2015			2014
	Foreign currency derivatives:
	Sell EUR, buy USD	EUR	6,227			$	4,907			$	32		$	68
	Sell CAD, buy USD	USD	259			331				(6		)	1
	Sell GBP, buy USD	GBP	911			—				2			—
	Buy EUR, sell GBP	EUR	263			—				(1		)	—
	For the classification in the fair value hierarchy, see Note 11, "Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities", included herewith.

Fair_Value_Measurement_of_Asse

Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities	Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities
	Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy distinguishes between (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and (2) an entity's own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs). The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which gives the highest priority to Level 1 and the lowest priority to Level 3. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
	•	Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
	•	Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (e.g., interest rates) and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
	•	Level 3 - Inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.
	The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis based on the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):
		January 31, 2015								October 31, 2014
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets
	Short-term investments	$	10,000	$	—	$	—	$	10,000	$	69,975	$	—	$	—	$	69,975
	Foreign currency derivatives	—		34		—		34		—		69		—		69
	Total assets	$	10,000	$	34	$	—	$	10,034	$	69,975	$	69	$	—	$	70,044
	Liabilities
	Foreign currency derivatives	$	—	$	7	$	—	$	7	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	Total liabilities	$	—	$	7	$	—	$	7	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	We held short-term investments (with an original maturity of three months or less) in commercial paper at January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014. We have included these investments as cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. These investments are measured at fair value based on active market quotations and are therefore classified as Level 1. All of our derivative contracts are valued using quoted market prices from brokers or exchanges and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
	We had approximately $2.4 million of certain property, plant and equipment that was recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis and classified as Level 3 as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014. The fair value was based on broker opinions.
	Carrying amounts reported on the balance sheet for cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. Our outstanding debt was variable rate debt that re-prices frequently, thereby limiting our exposure to significant change in interest rate risk. As a result, the fair value of our debt instruments approximates carrying value at January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014 (Level 3 measurement).

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation
	We have established and maintain an Omnibus Incentive Plan (2008 Plan) that provides for the granting of restricted stock awards, stock options, restricted stock units, performance share awards and other stock-based and cash-based awards. The 2008 Plan is administered by the Compensation and Management Development Committee of the Board of Directors.
	The aggregate number of shares of common stock originally authorized for grant under the 2008 Plan was 2,900,000. At our annual shareholder meeting held in February 2011, the shareholders approved an amendment which increased the aggregate number of shares available for grant by 2,400,000 shares; and at our annual shareholder meeting held in February 2014, the shareholders approved an amendment which increased the aggregate number of shares available for grant under the 2008 Plan by an additional 2,350,000 shares. Any officer, key employee and/or non-employee director or any of our affiliates is eligible for awards under the 2008 Plan. Our initial grant of awards under the 2008 Plan was on April 23, 2008. Our practice is to grant stock options and restricted stock units to non-employee directors on the last business day of each fiscal year, with an additional grant of options to each director on the date of his or her first anniversary of service. Once we receive approval from the Board of Directors in December, we grant stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and/or performance shares to officers, management and key employees. Occasionally, we may make additional grants to key employees at other times during the year.
	Restricted Stock Awards
	Restricted stock awards are granted to key employees and officers annually, and typically cliff vest over a three-year period with service and continued employment as the only vesting criteria. The recipient of the restricted stock awards is entitled to all of the rights of a shareholder, except that the awards are nontransferable during the vesting period. The fair value of the restricted stock award is established on the grant date and then expensed over the vesting period resulting in an increase in additional paid-in-capital. Shares are generally issued from treasury stock at the time of grant.
	A summary of non-vested restricted stock awards activity during the three months ended January 31, 2015 is presented below:
		Restricted Stock Awards			Weighted Average
					Grant Date  Fair Value per Share
	Non-vested at October 31, 2014	220,800			$	17.42
	Granted	68,800			20.28
	Cancelled	—			—
	Vested	(33,500	)		15.08
	Non-vested at January 31, 2015	256,100			$	18.49
	The total weighted average grant-date fair value of restricted stock awards that vested during the three-month periods ended January 31, 2015 and 2014 was $0.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively. As of January 31, 2015, total unrecognized compensation cost related to unamortized restricted stock awards was $2.7 million. We expect to recognize this expense over the remaining weighted average vesting period of 1.8 years.
	Stock Options
	Stock options are awarded to key employees, officers and non-employee directors. Director stock options vest immediately while employee and officer stock options typically vest ratably over a three-year period with service and continued employment as the vesting conditions. Our stock options may be exercised up to a maximum of ten years from the date of grant. The fair value of the stock options is determined on the grant date and expensed over the vesting period resulting in an increase in additional paid-in-capital.
	We use a Black-Scholes pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock options. A description of the methodology for the valuation assumptions was disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014.
	The following table provides a summary of assumptions used to estimate the fair value of our stock options issued during the three-month periods ended January 31, 2015 and 2014.
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
		2015		2014
	Weighted-average expected volatility	47.70%		55.70%
	Weighted-average expected term (in years)	5.8		5.9
	Risk-free interest rate	1.60%		1.80%
	Expected dividend yield over expected term	1.00%		1.00%
	Weighted average grant date fair value	$8.40		$8.52
	The following table summarizes our stock option activity for the three months ended January 31, 2015:
		Stock Options			Weighted Average		Weighted Average	Aggregate
					Exercise Price		Remaining Contractual	Intrinsic
							Term (in years)	Value (000s)
	Outstanding at October 31, 2014	2,588,389			$	16.21
	Granted	123,900			20.28
	Exercised	—			—
	Forfeited/Expired	(167	)		15.08
	Outstanding at January 31, 2015	2,712,122			$	16.4	6.1	$	7,698
	Vested or expected to vest at January 31, 2015	2,685,313			$	16.36	6.1	$	7,688
	Exercisable at January 31, 2015	2,244,900			$	15.87	5.6	$	7,320
	Intrinsic value is the amount by which the market price of the common stock on the date of exercise exceeds the exercise price of the stock option. There were no stock options exercised during the three months ended January 31, 2015. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the three months ended January 31, 2014, was $0.1 million. The weighted-average grant date fair value of stock options that vested during the three months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, was $2.2 million and $2.8 million, respectively. As of January 31, 2015, total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options was $2.7 million. We expect to recognize this expense over the remaining weighted average vesting period of 1.7 years.
	Restricted Stock Units
	Restricted stock units may be awarded to key employees and officers from time to time, and annually to non-employee directors. The director restricted stock units vest immediately but are payable only upon the director's cessation of service, whereas restricted stock units awarded to employees and officers typically cliff vest after a three-year period with service and continued employment as the vesting conditions. Restricted stock units are not considered outstanding shares and do not have voting rights, although the holder does receive a cash payment equivalent to the dividend paid, on a one-for-one basis, on our outstanding common shares. Once the criteria is met, each restricted stock unit is payable to the holder in cash based on the market value of one share of our common stock. Accordingly, we record a liability for the restricted stock units on our balance sheet and recognize any changes in the market value during each reporting period as compensation expense.
	The following table summarizes non-vested restricted stock unit activity during the three months ended January 31, 2015:
		Restricted Stock Units			Weighted Average
					Grant Date  Fair Value per Share
	Non-vested at October 31, 2014	83,500			$	15.08
	Vested	(83,500	)		15.08
	Non-vested at January 31, 2015	—			$	—
	During the three-month period ended January 31, 2015, we paid $1.7 million to settle certain restricted stock units. No restricted stock units were settled during the three-month period ended January 31, 2014.
	Performance Share Awards
	Historically, we have granted performance units to key employees and officers annually. These awards cliff vest after a three-year period with service and performance measures such as relative total shareholder return and earnings per share growth as vesting conditions. These awards were treated as a liability and marked to market based upon our assessment of the achievement of the performance measures, with the assistance of third-party compensation consultants.
	For the annual grants which occurred in December 2014 and 2013, we granted performance shares rather than performance units. These performance share awards have the same performance measures (relative total shareholder return and earnings per share growth). However, the number of shares earned is variable depending on the metrics achieved, and the settlement method is 50% in cash and 50% in our common stock.
	To account for these awards, we have bifurcated the portion subject to a market condition (relative total shareholder return) and the portion subject to an internal performance measure (earnings per share growth). We have further bifurcated these awards based on the settlement method, as the portion expected to settle in stock (equity component) and the portion expected to settle in cash (liability component).
	To value the shares subject to the market condition, we utilized a Monte Carlo simulation model to arrive at a grant-date fair value. This amount will be expensed over the three-year term of the award with a credit to additional paid-in-capital. To value the shares subject to the internal performance measure, we used the value of our common stock on the date of grant as the grant-date fair value per share. This amount is being expensed over the three-year term of the award, with a credit to additional paid-in-capital, and could fluctuate depending on the number of shares ultimately expected to vest based on our assessment of the probability that the performance conditions will be achieved. For both performance conditions, the portion of the award expected to settle in cash is recorded as a liability and is being marked to market over the three-year term of the award, and can fluctuate depending on the number of shares ultimately expected to vest.
	In conjunction with the annual grants in December 2014 and 2013, we awarded 137,400 and 148,800 performance shares, respectively, of which 0% to 200% of these shares may ultimately vest, depending on the achievement of the performance conditions. During 2014, 7,000 of the performance shares issued in December 2013 were forfeited. For the three-month periods ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, we have recorded $0.4 million and $0.2 million of compensation expense, respectively, related to these performance share awards.
	Performance share awards are not considered outstanding shares and do not have voting rights, although dividends are accrued over the performance period and will be payable in cash based upon the number of performance shares ultimately earned.
	The performance shares are excluded from the diluted weighted-average shares used to calculate earnings per share until the performance criteria is probable to result in the issuance of contingent shares.
	Treasury Shares
	On September 5, 2014, our Board cancelled our existing stock repurchase program and approved a new stock repurchase program authorizing us to use up to $75.0 million to repurchase shares of our common stock. For the period from September 5, 2014 through October 31, 2014, we purchased 1,316,326 shares at a cost of $24.2 million under the new program. During the three months ended January 31, 2015, we purchased an additional 2,297,161 shares at a cost of $43.4 million.
	We record treasury stock purchases under the cost method whereby the entire cost of the acquired stock is recorded as treasury stock. Shares are generally issued from treasury stock at the time of grant of restricted stock awards, and upon the exercise of stock options and upon the issuance of performance shares. On the subsequent issuance of treasury shares, we record proceeds in excess of cost as an increase in additional paid in capital.
	The following table summarizes the treasury stock activity during the three months ended January 31, 2015:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31, 2015
	Beginning balance as of November 1, 2014	1,417,700
	Restricted stock awards granted	(68,800	)
	Shares purchased	2,297,161
Balance at end of period	3,646,061
During February 2015, we completed our stock repurchase program. We purchased an additional 378,742 shares at a cost of $7.4 million. From inception of the program, we purchased 3,992,229 shares at a cost of $75.0 million.

Other_Income_Expense

Other Income (Expense)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Other Income (Expense)	Other Income (Expense)
	Other income (expense) included under the caption "Other, net" on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income (loss), consisted of the following for the three-month periods ended January 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	$	(834	)	$	(104	)
	Foreign currency derivative gains (losses)	652			114
	Interest income	31			6
	Other	—			80
	Other (expense) income	$	(151	)	$	96

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information
	We have four operating segments which we aggregate into one reportable segment, in accordance with ASC Topic 280-10-50, “Segment Reporting” (ASC 280). This aggregation is based on factors including, but not limited to: (1) similar nature of products serving the building products industry, primarily the fenestration business; (2) similar production processes, although there are some differences in the amount of automation amongst operating plants; (3) similar types or classes of customers, namely the primary original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the window and door industry; (4) similar distribution methods for product delivery, although the extent of the use of third-party distributors will vary amongst the businesses; (5) similar regulatory environment; and (6) converging long-term economic similarities. The primary market drivers of our business are residential remodeling and replacement activity (R&R) and new home construction.
	Prior to April 1, 2014, we presented two reportable operating segments: (1) Engineered Products and (2) Aluminum Sheet Products. In addition, we recorded LIFO inventory adjustments, corporate office charges and inter-segment eliminations as Corporate & Other. On April 1, 2014, we sold Nichols, the sole operating segment included in our Aluminum Sheet Products reportable segment. To account for Nichols as a discontinued operation, we reclassified certain costs from Corporate & Other to Nichols, including a portion of the LIFO reserve, as well as insurance accruals related to incurred but not reported workers compensation claims, to properly reflect these direct expenses as a component of the disposal group.
	The following table reconciles our segment presentation as previously reported in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended January 31, 2014, to the current presentation (in thousands).
	Three Months Ended January 31, 2014	As Previously Reported			Discontinued Operations			Reclassification			Current Presentation
	Engineered Products
	Net sales	$	126,379		$	—		$	—		$	126,379
	Inter-segment sales	—			—			—			—
	Depreciation and amortization	7,644			—			900			8,544
	Operating loss	7,491			—			(8,353		)	(862		)
	Capital expenditures	$	4,578		$	—		$	420		$	4,998
	Aluminum Sheet Products
	Net sales	$	75,983		$	(75,983	)	$	—		$	—
	Inter-segment sales	3,508			(3,508		)	—			—
	Depreciation and amortization	1,750			(1,750		)	—			—
	Operating loss	(4,251		)	4,251			—			—
	Capital expenditures	$	1,750		$	(1,750	)	$	—		$	—
	Corporate & Other
	Net sales	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	Inter-segment sales	(3,508		)	3,508			—			—
	Depreciation and amortization	900			—			(900		)	—
	Operating loss	(8,353		)	—			8,353			—
	Capital expenditures	$	420		$	—		$	(420	)	$	—

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share
	We compute basic earnings per share by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common and potential common shares include the weighted average of additional shares associated with the incremental effect of dilutive employee stock options, non-vested restricted stock as determined using the treasury stock method prescribed by U.S. GAAP and contingent shares associated with performance share awards, if dilutive.
	Basic and diluted loss per share was $(0.09) and $(0.11) for the three months ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The computation of diluted earnings per share excludes outstanding stock options and other common stock equivalents when their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. This is always the case when an entity incurs a net loss. During the three-month periods ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, 472,497 and 528,397 of common stock equivalents, respectively, and 101,579 and 83,594 shares of restricted stock, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share. There were no potentially dilutive contingent shares related to performance share awards for these periods.
	For the three-month periods ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, we had 762,572 and 1,083,988 securities, respectively, that were potentially dilutive in future earnings per share calculations. Such dilution will be dependent on the excess of the market price of our stock over the exercise price and other components of the treasury stock method.

New_Accounting_Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncements	New Accounting Pronouncements
	In June 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-12, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period.  This amendment requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition that affects vesting or as a nonvesting condition that affects the grant-date fair value of an award, and provides explicit guidance for those awards. This guidance becomes effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2015.  We expect to adopt this guidance during fiscal 2017, and we are currently evaluating the impact on our consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.”  This guidance prescribes a methodology to determine when revenue is recognizable and constitutes a principles-based approach to revenue recognition based on the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for goods or services.  In addition, this guidance requires additional disclosure in the notes to the financial statements with regard to the methodology applied.  This pronouncement becomes effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and will essentially supersede and replace existing revenue recognition rules in U.S. GAAP, including industry-specific guidance.  We expect to adopt this pronouncement in fiscal 2018, and we are currently evaluating the impact on our consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. This new guidance clarifies the definition of a discontinued operation as a disposal of a component of any entity, or a group of such components, which represent a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results.  This guidance should result in fewer applications of discontinued operations accounting treatment.  However, if such accounting treatment is required, the guidance requires additional footnote disclosures with regard to the major classes of line items constituting pretax profit or loss of the discontinued operation, a reconciliation of the major classes of assets and liabilities of the discontinued operation, and additional disclosure with regard to cash flows of the discontinued operation.  This guidance becomes effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2014.  We expect to adopt this guidance during fiscal 2016, and we are currently evaluating the impact on our consolidated financial statements.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists, which provides guidance related to the presentation of current and deferred income taxes on the balance sheet. In general, an entity must present an unrecognized tax benefit related to a net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss or tax credit carryforward, as a reduction of a deferred tax asset, except in prescribed circumstances through which liability presentation would be appropriate. This guidance became effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013. We adopted this guidance on November 1, 2014 with no material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Nature_of_Operations_and_Basis1

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Financial Information of Discontinued Operations	The following table summarizes the operating results for Nichols for the three-month period ended January 31, 2014:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
		(In thousands, except per  share amounts)
	Net sales	$	79,491
	Operating loss	(4,251		)
	Loss before income taxes	(4,268		)
	Income tax benefit	1,579
	Net loss	$	(2,689	)
	Basic loss per common share	$	(0.08	)
	Diluted loss per common share	$	(0.08	)
Schedule of Product Sales	The following table summarizes our product sales for the three-month periods ended January 31, 2015 and 2014 into general groupings to provide additional information to our shareholders.
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
		2015			2014
	Product Group:	(In thousands)
	United States - fenestration	$	96,191		$	97,424
	International - fenestration	17,776			18,623
	United States - non-fenestration	9,474			7,191
	International - non-fenestration	4,452			3,141
	Total sales	$	127,893		$	126,379

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation	The purchase price has been allocated to the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as indicated in the table below.
		As of Date of
		Opening Balance Sheet
		(In thousands)
	Net assets acquired:
	Inventories	$	161
	Prepaid and other current assets	145
	Property, plant and equipment	4,695
	Intangible assets	290
	Deferred income tax liability	(50		)
	Net assets acquired	$	5,241
	Consideration:
	Cash, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	$	5,161
	Gain recognized on bargain purchase	$	80

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	Inventories consisted of the following at January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014:
		January 31,		October 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	Raw materials	$	38,133	$	36,751
	Finished goods and work in process	26,614		25,558
	Supplies and other	1,063		806
	Total	65,810		63,115
	Less: Inventory reserves	5,979		5,757
	Inventories, net	$	59,831	$	57,358
Values of Inventories	Our inventories at January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014 were valued using the following costing methods:
		January 31,		October 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	LIFO	$	6,908	$	5,122
	FIFO	52,923		52,236
	Total	$	59,831	$	57,358

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Changes in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill	The change in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three months ended January 31, 2015 was as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		31-Jan-15
		(In thousands)
	Beginning balance as of November 1, 2014	70,546
	Foreign currency translation adjustment	(1,744		)
	Balance as of the end of the period	$	68,802
Schedule of Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class	Amortizable intangible assets consisted of the following as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014:
		31-Jan-15					31-Oct-14
		Gross Carrying			Accumulated		Gross Carrying		Accumulated
		Amount			Amortization		Amount		Amortization
		(In thousands)
	Customer relationships	$	53,083		$	20,722	$	53,083	$	19,700
	Trademarks and trade names	44,722			21,036		44,722		20,343
	Patents and other technology	25,244			13,702		25,244		13,228
	Other	1,392			1,092		1,392		1,020
	Total	$	124,441		$	56,552	$	124,441	$	54,291
Estimated Amortization Expense Related to Intangible Assets	Estimated remaining amortization expense, assuming current intangible balances and no new acquisitions, for each of the fiscal years ending October 31, was as follows (in thousands):
		Estimated
		Amortization Expense
	2015 (remaining nine months)	$	6,916
	2016	8,713
	2017	8,607
	2018	8,360
	2019	7,571
	Thereafter	27,722
	Total	$	67,889

Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Obligat1

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	Debt consisted of the following at January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014:
		January 31,		October 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	Revolving Credit Facility	$	—	$	—
	City of Richmond, Kentucky Industrial Building Revenue Bonds	600		600
	Capital lease obligations	158		185
	Total debt	758		785
	Less: Current maturities of long-term debt	190		199
	Long-term debt	$	568	$	586

Retirement_Plans_Tables

Retirement Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Net Periodic Pension Cost	The net periodic pension cost for this plan for the three-month periods ended January 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Service cost	$	881		$	920
	Interest cost	253			263
	Expected return on plan assets	(461		)	(423		)
	Amortization of net loss	—			—
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	673		$	760

Warranty_Obligations_Tables

Warranty Obligations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Activity Related to Accrued Warranty	A reconciliation of the activity related to our accrued warranty, including both the current and long-term portions (reported in accrued liabilities and other liabilities, respectively, on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet) follows:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31, 2015
		(In thousands)
	Beginning balance as of November 1, 2014	$	671
	Provision for warranty expense	226
	Change in accrual for preexisting warranties	317
	Warranty costs paid	(76		)
	Total accrued warranty as of the end of the period	$	1,138
	Less: Current portion of accrued warranty	757
	Long-term portion of accrued warranty	$	381

Derivative_Instruments_Tables

Derivative Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Location in Financial Performance and Financial Position	We have not designated any of our derivative contracts as hedges for accounting purposes in accordance with the provisions under the Accounting Standards Codification topic 815 "Derivatives and Hedging" (ASC 815). Therefore, changes in the fair value of these contracts and the realized gains and losses are recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of income (loss) for the three-month periods ended January 31, 2015 and 2014 as follows (in thousands):
				Three Months Ended
				January 31,
	Location of Gain or (Loss):			2015				2014
	Other, net	Foreign currency derivatives		$	652			$	114
	We have chosen not to offset any of our derivative instruments in accordance with the provisions of ASC 815. Therefore, the assets and liabilities are presented on a gross basis on our accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	The fair values of our outstanding derivative contracts as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		January 31, 2015				October 31, 2014
	Prepaid and other current assets:
	Foreign currency derivatives	$	34			$	69
	Accrued liabilities:
	Foreign currency derivatives	$	(7	)		$	—
Schedule of Notional Amounts of Oustanding Derivative Positions	The following table summarizes the notional amounts and fair value of outstanding derivative contracts at January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014 (in thousands):
			Notional as indicated							Fair Value in $
			January 31,			October 31,				January 31,			October 31,
			2015			2014				2015			2014
	Foreign currency derivatives:
	Sell EUR, buy USD	EUR	6,227			$	4,907			$	32		$	68
	Sell CAD, buy USD	USD	259			331				(6		)	1
	Sell GBP, buy USD	GBP	911			—				2			—
	Buy EUR, sell GBP	EUR	263			—				(1		)	—

Fair_Value_Measurement_of_Asse1

Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Summary of Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis based on the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):
		January 31, 2015								October 31, 2014
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets
	Short-term investments	$	10,000	$	—	$	—	$	10,000	$	69,975	$	—	$	—	$	69,975
	Foreign currency derivatives	—		34		—		34		—		69		—		69
	Total assets	$	10,000	$	34	$	—	$	10,034	$	69,975	$	69	$	—	$	70,044
	Liabilities
	Foreign currency derivatives	$	—	$	7	$	—	$	7	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	Total liabilities	$	—	$	7	$	—	$	7	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of Nonvested Restricted Share Activity	A summary of non-vested restricted stock awards activity during the three months ended January 31, 2015 is presented below:
		Restricted Stock Awards			Weighted Average
					Grant Date  Fair Value per Share
	Non-vested at October 31, 2014	220,800			$	17.42
	Granted	68,800			20.28
	Cancelled	—			—
	Vested	(33,500	)		15.08
	Non-vested at January 31, 2015	256,100			$	18.49
Schedule of Valuation Assumptions for Stock Options	The following table provides a summary of assumptions used to estimate the fair value of our stock options issued during the three-month periods ended January 31, 2015 and 2014.
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
		2015		2014
	Weighted-average expected volatility	47.70%		55.70%
	Weighted-average expected term (in years)	5.8		5.9
	Risk-free interest rate	1.60%		1.80%
	Expected dividend yield over expected term	1.00%		1.00%
	Weighted average grant date fair value	$8.40		$8.52
Schedule of Stock Option Activity	The following table summarizes our stock option activity for the three months ended January 31, 2015:
		Stock Options			Weighted Average		Weighted Average	Aggregate
					Exercise Price		Remaining Contractual	Intrinsic
							Term (in years)	Value (000s)
	Outstanding at October 31, 2014	2,588,389			$	16.21
	Granted	123,900			20.28
	Exercised	—			—
	Forfeited/Expired	(167	)		15.08
	Outstanding at January 31, 2015	2,712,122			$	16.4	6.1	$	7,698
	Vested or expected to vest at January 31, 2015	2,685,313			$	16.36	6.1	$	7,688
	Exercisable at January 31, 2015	2,244,900			$	15.87	5.6	$	7,320
Schedule of Restricted Stock Units Activity	The following table summarizes non-vested restricted stock unit activity during the three months ended January 31, 2015:
		Restricted Stock Units			Weighted Average
					Grant Date  Fair Value per Share
	Non-vested at October 31, 2014	83,500			$	15.08
	Vested	(83,500	)		15.08
	Non-vested at January 31, 2015	—			$	—
Treasury Stock Activity	The following table summarizes the treasury stock activity during the three months ended January 31, 2015:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31, 2015
	Beginning balance as of November 1, 2014	1,417,700
	Restricted stock awards granted	(68,800	)
	Shares purchased	2,297,161
	Balance at end of period	3,646,061

Other_Income_Expense_Tables

Other Income (Expense) (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Non-operating Income (Expense)	Other income (expense) included under the caption "Other, net" on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income (loss), consisted of the following for the three-month periods ended January 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three Months Ended
		January 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	$	(834	)	$	(104	)
	Foreign currency derivative gains (losses)	652			114
	Interest income	31			6
	Other	—			80
	Other (expense) income	$	(151	)	$	96

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	The following table reconciles our segment presentation as previously reported in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended January 31, 2014, to the current presentation (in thousands).
	Three Months Ended January 31, 2014	As Previously Reported			Discontinued Operations			Reclassification			Current Presentation
	Engineered Products
	Net sales	$	126,379		$	—		$	—		$	126,379
	Inter-segment sales	—			—			—			—
	Depreciation and amortization	7,644			—			900			8,544
	Operating loss	7,491			—			(8,353		)	(862		)
	Capital expenditures	$	4,578		$	—		$	420		$	4,998
	Aluminum Sheet Products
	Net sales	$	75,983		$	(75,983	)	$	—		$	—
	Inter-segment sales	3,508			(3,508		)	—			—
	Depreciation and amortization	1,750			(1,750		)	—			—
	Operating loss	(4,251		)	4,251			—			—
	Capital expenditures	$	1,750		$	(1,750	)	$	—		$	—
	Corporate & Other
	Net sales	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	Inter-segment sales	(3,508		)	3,508			—			—
	Depreciation and amortization	900			—			(900		)	—
	Operating loss	(8,353		)	—			8,353			—
	Capital expenditures	$	420		$	—		$	(420	)	$	—

Nature_of_Operations_and_Basis2

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		14 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015
	segment
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	2
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Proceeds from sale of Nichols		$107,400,000
Working capital adjustment		2,600,000		2,600,000
Gain on sale		24,100,000
Tax effect on gain on sale		15,100,000
Purchases of aluminum product from Nichols		4,500,000	3,500,000
Insurance deductible related to fire at Nichols		500,000
Capitalized amount to rebuild the asset, related to fire at Nichols		6,500,000		6,500,000
Costs incurred related to fire loss at Nichols		2,300,000
Impairment charge recognized related to fire loss at Nichols		500,000
Insurance proceeds received related to fire at Nichols		513,000	400,000	5,300,000
Insurance proceeds expected to receive related to fire at Nichols		6,800,000		6,800,000
Expected gain on involuntary conversion		4,400,000		4,400,000
Gain on involuntary conversion related to fire at Nichols		2,900,000
Remaining gain on involuntary conversion related to fire at Nichols		1,500,000		1,500,000
Health insurance claim amount reimbursable		$300,000

Nature_of_Operations_and_Basis3

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation - Results of Operations, Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Net sales		$79,491
Operating loss		-4,251
Loss before income taxes		-4,268
Income tax benefit		1,579
Net loss	$23	($2,689)
Basic loss per common share (in usd per share)	$0	($0.08)
Diluted loss per common share (in usd per share)	$0	($0.08)

Nature_of_Operations_and_Basis4

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation - Summary of Product Sales (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Product Information [Line Items]
Total sales	$127,893	$126,379
Fenestration | United States
Product Information [Line Items]
Total sales	96,191	97,424
Fenestration | International
Product Information [Line Items]
Total sales	17,776	18,623
Non-fenestration | United States
Product Information [Line Items]
Total sales	9,474	7,191
Non-fenestration | International
Product Information [Line Items]
Total sales	$4,452	$3,141

Acquisitions_Detail

Acquisitions (Detail) (Greenville, USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Greenville
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Inventories	$161		$161
Prepaid and other current assets	145		145
Property, plant and equipment	4,695		4,695
Intangible assets	290		290
Deferred income tax liability	-50		-50
Net assets acquired	5,241		5,241
Cash paid for acquisition, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	5,161
Gain recognized on bargain purchase	$80	$100

Inventories_Detail

Inventories (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
Inventory, Raw Materials and Supplies, Net of Reserves [Abstract]
Raw materials	$38,133,000	$36,751,000
Finished goods and work in process	26,614,000	25,558,000
Supplies and other	1,063,000	806,000
Total	65,810,000	63,115,000
Less: Inventory reserves	5,979,000	5,757,000
Inventories, net	59,831,000	57,358,000
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
LIFO	6,908,000	5,122,000
FIFO	52,923,000	52,236,000
Inventories, net	59,831,000	57,358,000
Excess of replacement cost over LIFO value	$1,400,000	$1,400,000

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
		reporting_unit
Goodwill [Line Items]
Number of reporting units with goodwill		3
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$70,546
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-1,744
Balance as of the end of the period	68,802
Reporting Unit One
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		55,200
Balance as of the end of the period		55,200
Reporting Unit Two
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		12,600
Balance as of the end of the period		12,600
Reporting Unit Three
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		2,800
Balance as of the end of the period		$2,800

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets3

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Identifiable Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	$124,441,000		$124,441,000
Accumulated amortization	56,552,000		54,291,000
Intangible assets amortization expense	2,300,000	2,300,000
Estimated Amortization Expense
2015 (remaining nine months)	6,916,000
2016	8,713,000
2017	8,607,000
2018	8,360,000
2019	7,571,000
Thereafter	27,722,000
Total	67,889,000		70,150,000
Customer relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	53,083,000		53,083,000
Accumulated amortization	20,722,000		19,700,000
Trademarks and trade names
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	44,722,000		44,722,000
Accumulated amortization	21,036,000		20,343,000
Patents and other technology
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	25,244,000		25,244,000
Accumulated amortization	13,702,000		13,228,000
Other
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	1,392,000		1,392,000
Accumulated amortization	1,092,000		1,020,000
Greenville | Customer relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Customer relationships related to acquired Greenville facility	$200,000
Useful life of customer relationships related to acquired Greenville facility	4 years

Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Obligat2

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014	Jan. 28, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Total debt	$758,000	$785,000
Less: Current maturities of long-term debt	190,000	199,000
Long-term debt	568,000	586,000
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Credit Facility, commitments increase limit			100,000,000
Credit facility, total commitments limit			250,000,000
Required consolidated interest coverage ratio			3
Required consolidated leverage ratio			3.25
Credit Facility, amount available	124,700,000	140,700,000
Letters of credit, outstanding	6,000,000	6,100,000
Current borrowing rate - Revolver	3.25%	3.25%
Current borrowing rate - Swing line sub facility	1.20%	1.20%
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Revolving Credit Facility	0	0
Credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity			150,000,000
City of Richmond, Kentucky Industrial Building Revenue Bonds
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
City of Richmond, Kentucky Industrial Building Revenue Bonds	600,000	600,000
Capital Lease Obligations
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Capital lease obligations	$158,000	$185,000

Retirement_Plans_Detail

Retirement Plans (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Defined benefit plan, contributions by employer				$4,100,000
Supplemental benefit plan liability		1,800,000		1,900,000
Deferred compensation liability		3,400,000		3,400,000
Deferred compensation plan, employer contributions	3,300,000
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost		881,000	920,000
Interest cost		253,000	263,000
Expected return on plan assets		-461,000	-423,000
Amortization of net loss		0	0
Net periodic benefit cost		$673,000	$760,000

Warranty_Obligations_Detail

Warranty Obligations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Reduction in warranty accrual related to Insulating Glass business		$2,800,000
Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward]
Accrued warranty at beginning of period	671,000
Provision for warranty expense	226,000
Change in accrual for preexisting warranties	317,000
Warranty costs paid	-76,000
Accrued warranty at end of period	1,138,000
Less: Current portion of accrued warranty	757,000
Long-term portion of accrued warranty	$381,000

Income_Taxes_Detail

Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Estimated annual effective tax rate (benefit) expense	-47.60%	33.50%
Effective income tax rate excluding discrete items	34.10%	38.70%
Unrecognized tax benefits			$11,400,000
Liability for uncertain tax positions	548,000		4,626,000
Uncertain tax position in non-current deferred taxes			6,800,000
Reduced liability uncertain tax position resulting from lapse in statute of limitations	4,000,000
Increase in deferred income taxes (non-current assets)	6,800,000
Liability reduction of uncertain tax position resulted in increase to retained earnings	10,003,000
Reduction in uncertain tax position resulting in decrease in income tax expense	800,000
Valuation allowance	$1,400,000

Contingencies_Contingencies_De

Contingencies Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Net claim payments	$76,000
Spacer Migration
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Product warranty expense		1,800,000
Spacer specific product warranty accrual	900,000	1,200,000
Net claim payments	200,000
Translation adjustment	$100,000

Derivative_Instruments_Detail

Derivative Instruments (Detail)

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Jan. 31, 2015

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2015

Jan. 31, 2015

Oct. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2015

Oct. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2015

Jan. 31, 2015

Oct. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2015

Jan. 31, 2015

Oct. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2015

Oct. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2015

Oct. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2015

Jan. 31, 2014

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Sell EUR, buy USD

Sell EUR, buy USD

Sell EUR, buy USD

Sell EUR, buy USD

Sell CAD, buy USD

Sell CAD, buy USD

Sell GBP, buy USD

Sell GBP, buy USD

Sell GBP, buy USD

Sell GBP, buy USD

Buy EUR, sell GBP

Buy EUR, sell GBP

Buy EUR, sell GBP

Buy EUR, sell GBP

Prepaid and Other Current Assets

Prepaid and Other Current Assets

Accrued Liabilities

Accrued Liabilities

Other, Net

Other, Net

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]

Foreign currency derivatives

$652

$114

$652

$114

Derivatives [Line Items]

Foreign currency derivatives, asset

34

69

34

69

Foreign currency derivatives, liability

-7

0

-7

0

Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]

Derivatives, notional amount

6,227

4,907

259

331

911

0

263

0

Foreign currency derivatives, fair value

$32

$68

($6)

$1

$2

$0

($1)

$0

Fair_Value_Measurement_of_Asse2

Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments	$10,000,000	$69,975,000
Foreign currency derivatives, asset	34,000	69,000
Total assets	10,034,000	70,044,000
Foreign currency derivatives, liability	7,000	0
Total liabilities	7,000	0
Property, plant and equipment at fair value (non-recurring)	2,400,000	2,400,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments	10,000,000	69,975,000
Total assets	10,000,000	69,975,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign currency derivatives, asset	34,000	69,000
Total assets	34,000	69,000
Foreign currency derivatives, liability	7,000	0
Total liabilities	$7,000	$0

Stock_Based_Compensation_Detai

Stock Based Compensation (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized, originally	2,900,000
Stockholders' Meeting Held in 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of additional shares authorized	2,400,000
Stockholders' Meeting Held in 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of additional shares authorized	2,350,000

StockBased_Compensation_Restri

Stock-Based Compensation - Restricted Stock Awards (Details) (Restricted Stock Awards (RSAs), USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Restricted Stock Awards (RSAs)
Number of Shares
Non-vested at beginning of the period (in shares)	220,800
Granted (in shares)	68,800
Cancelled (in shares)	0
Vested (in shares)	-33,500
Non-vested at end of the period (in shares)	256,100
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share
Non-vested at beginning of the period (in usd per share)	$17.42
Granted (in usd per share)	$20.28
Cancelled (in usd per share)	$0
Vested (in usd per share)	$15.08
Non-vested at end of the period (in usd per share)	$18.49
Vesting period	3 years
Fair value of restricted stock awards vested	$0.50	$0.40
Unrecognized compensation cost - non vested restricted stock awards	$2.70
Weighted-average period over which unrecognized cost is expected to be recognized	1 year 9 months 18 days

StockBased_Compensation_Stock_

Stock-Based Compensation - Stock Options (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Fair Value Assumptions [Abstract]
Weighted-average expected volatility	47.70%	55.70%
Weighted-average expected term (in years)	5 years 9 months	5 years 10 months 24 days
Risk-free interest rate	1.60%	1.80%
Expected dividend yield over expected term	1.00%	1.00%
Weighted average grant date fair value	$8.40	$8.52
Stock Options, [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at beginning of period (in shares)	2,588,389
Granted (in shares)	123,900
Exercised (in shares)	0
Forfeited/Expired (in shares)	-167
Outstanding at end of period (in shares)	2,712,122
Vested or expected to vest at end of period (in shares)	2,685,313
Exercisable at end of period (in shares)	2,244,900
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at beginning of period (in usd per share)	$16.21
Granted (in usd per share)	$20.28
Exercised (in usd per share)	$0
Forfeited/Expired (in usd per share)	$15.08
Outstanding at end of period (in usd per share)	$16.40
Vested or expected to vest at end of period (in usd per share)	$16.36
Exercisable at end of period (in usd per share)	$15.87
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life
Outstanding at end of period	6 years 1 month 6 days
Vested or expected to vest at end of period	6 years 1 month 6 days
Exercisable at end of period	5 years 7 months 6 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at end of period	$7,698,000
Vested or expected to vest at end of period	7,688,000
Exercisable at end of period	7,320,000
Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	3 years
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	0	100,000
Fair value of stock options vested	2,200,000	2,800,000
Unrecognized compensation cost - non vested stock options	$2,700,000
Weighted-average period over which unrecognized cost is expected to be recognized	1 year 8 months 12 days

StockBased_Compensation_Restri1

Stock-Based Compensation - Restricted Stock Units (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Cash used to settle restricted stock units	$1,700,000	$0
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	3 years
Number of Shares
Non-vested at beginning of the period (in shares)	83,500
Vested (in shares)	-83,500
Non-vested at end of the period (in shares)	0
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Non-vested at beginning of the period (in usd per share)	$15.08
Vested (in usd per share)	$15.08
Non-vested at end of the period (in usd per share)	$0

StockBased_Compensation_Perfor

Stock-Based Compensation - Performance Share Awards (Details) (Performance Shares, USD $)	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			3 years
Performance shares settled in cash			50.00%
Performance shares settled in stock			50.00%
Performance shares granted	137,400	148,800
Performance shares forfeited					7,000
Performance shares compensation expense			$0.40	$0.20
Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance shares vesting percentage maximum	0.00%	0.00%
Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance shares vesting percentage maximum	200.00%	200.00%

StockBased_Compensation_Treasu

Stock-Based Compensation - Treasury Shares (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount		$75,000,000
Purchase of treasury stock	43,404,000	24,200,000
Treasury Stock [Abstract]
Beginning balance as of November 1, 2014	1,417,700
Shares purchased	2,297,161	1,316,326
Balance at end of period	3,646,061	1,417,700
Subsequent Event
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Purchase of treasury stock			$7,400,000	$75,000,000
Treasury Stock [Abstract]
Shares purchased			378,742	3,992,229
Restricted Stock Awards (RSAs)
Treasury Stock [Abstract]
Restricted stock awards granted	-68,800
Stock Options
Treasury Stock [Abstract]
Shares purchased	2,297,161

Other_Income_Expense_Detail

Other Income (Expense) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	($834)	($104)
Foreign currency derivative gains (losses)	652	114
Interest income	31	6
Other	0	80
Other (expense) income	($151)	$96

Segment_Information_Detail

Segment Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
	operating_segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	4
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	$8,208	$8,544
Operating loss	-5,615	-862
Capital expenditures	7,321	6,748
Engineered Products | As Previously Reported
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		126,379
Inter-segment sales		0
Depreciation and amortization		7,644
Operating loss		7,491
Capital expenditures		4,578
Engineered Products | Discontinued Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		0
Inter-segment sales		0
Depreciation and amortization		0
Operating loss		0
Capital expenditures		0
Engineered Products | Reclassification
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		0
Inter-segment sales		0
Depreciation and amortization		900
Operating loss		-8,353
Capital expenditures		420
Engineered Products | Current Presentation
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		126,379
Inter-segment sales		0
Depreciation and amortization		8,544
Operating loss		-862
Capital expenditures		4,998
Aluminum Sheet Products | As Previously Reported
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		75,983
Inter-segment sales		3,508
Depreciation and amortization		1,750
Operating loss		-4,251
Capital expenditures		1,750
Aluminum Sheet Products | Discontinued Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		-75,983
Inter-segment sales		-3,508
Depreciation and amortization		-1,750
Operating loss		4,251
Capital expenditures		-1,750
Aluminum Sheet Products | Reclassification
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		0
Inter-segment sales		0
Depreciation and amortization		0
Operating loss		0
Capital expenditures		0
Aluminum Sheet Products | Current Presentation
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		0
Inter-segment sales		0
Depreciation and amortization		0
Operating loss		0
Capital expenditures		0
Corporate & Other | As Previously Reported
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		0
Inter-segment sales		-3,508
Depreciation and amortization		900
Operating loss		-8,353
Capital expenditures		420
Corporate & Other | Discontinued Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		0
Inter-segment sales		3,508
Depreciation and amortization		0
Operating loss		0
Capital expenditures		0
Corporate & Other | Reclassification
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		0
Inter-segment sales		0
Depreciation and amortization		-900
Operating loss		8,353
Capital expenditures		-420
Corporate & Other | Current Presentation
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		0
Inter-segment sales		0
Depreciation and amortization		0
Operating loss		0
Capital expenditures		$0

Earnings_Per_Share_Detail

Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Loss per share, basic (in usd per share)	($0.09)	($0.11)
Loss per share, diluted (in usd per share)	($0.09)	($0.11)
Antidilutive securities (in shares)	762,572	1,083,988
Stock Options
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Potentially dilutive securities (in shares)	$472,497	$528,397
Restricted Stock Awards (RSAs)
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Potentially dilutive securities (in shares)	101,579	83,594
Performance Shares
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Potentially dilutive securities (in shares)	$0	$0