The Sherwin-Williams Company (SHW) 10-K 25 Feb 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	SHERWIN WILLIAMS CO
Entity Central Index Key	89800
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$20,077,799,869
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		94,894,689

Statements_of_Consolidated_Inc

Statements of Consolidated Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$11,129,533	$10,185,532	$9,534,462
Cost of goods sold	5,965,049	5,568,966	5,328,236
Gross profit	5,164,484	4,616,566	4,206,226	[1]
Percent to net sales	46.40%	45.30%	44.10%
Selling, general and administrative expenses	3,822,966	3,467,681	3,259,648	[1]
Percent to net sales	34.30%	34.00%	34.20%
Other general expense - net	37,482	2,519	5,248
Impairment of trademarks			4,086
Interest expense	64,205	62,714	42,788
Interest and net investment income	-2,995	-3,242	-2,913
Other (income) expense - net	-15,400	936	-9,940
Income before income taxes	1,258,226	1,085,958	907,309
Income taxes	392,339	333,397	276,275	[1]
Net income	$865,887	$752,561	$631,034
Net income per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$8.95	$7.41	$6.15
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$8.78	$7.26	$6.02
[1]	Includes DOL Settlement of $49,163, net of tax (Cost of goods sold $16,000, Selling, general and administrative expenses $64,000 and tax benefit $30,837), or $.47 per share in the Year ended December 31, 2012.

Statements_of_Consolidated_Inc1

Statements of Consolidated Income and Comprehensive Income Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$865,887		$752,561		$631,034
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-103,441		-46,748		-7,403
Net actuarial gains (losses) and prior service costs arising during period	-56,536	[1]	85,051	[1]	-6,192	[1]
Less: amortization of net actuarial losses and prior service costs included in Net pension costs	8,980	[2]	10,933	[2]	10,973	[2]
Employee benefit plans	-47,556		95,984		4,781
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period	366	[3]	134	[3]	123	[3]
Less: reclassification adjustments for (gains) losses included in net income	-283	[4]	-25	[4]	-12	[4]
Unrealized net gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities	83		109		111
Other comprehensive (loss) income	-150,914		49,345		-2,511
Comprehensive income	$714,973		$801,906		$628,523
[1]	Net of taxes of $24,954, $(63,343) and $2,846, in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
[2]	Net of taxes of $(2,712), $(7,643) and $(13,350), in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
[3]	Net of taxes of $(228), $(84) and $(77), in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
[4]	Net of taxes of $178, $17 and $7 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Statements_of_Consolidated_Inc2

Statements of Consolidated Income and Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
After tax charge to earnings for DOL settlement			$49,163
Cost of goods sold increase due to DOL settlement			16,000
Increase to selling, general, and administrative expense due to DOL settlement			64,000
Decrease to income tax expense due to DOL settlement			-30,837
Per share impact IRS settlement (in dollars per share)			$0.47
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net actuarial gains (losses) and prior service costs arising during period, tax	24,954	-63,343	2,846
Amortization of net actuarial losses and prior service costs included in Net pension costs, tax	-2,712	-7,643	-13,350
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period, tax	-228	-84	-77
Reclassification adjustments for (gains) losses included in net income, tax	$178	$17	$7

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$40,732	$744,889	$862,590
Accounts receivable, less allowance	1,130,565	1,097,751	1,032,508
Inventories:
Finished goods	841,784	779,057	732,359
Work in process and raw materials	191,743	191,758	187,965
Total inventory	1,033,527	970,815	920,324
Deferred income taxes	109,087	104,496	126,730
Other current assets	252,869	240,766	207,086
Total current assets	2,566,780	3,158,717	3,149,238
Goodwill	1,158,346	1,178,687	1,156,005
Intangible assets	289,127	313,299	347,553
Deferred pension assets	250,144	302,446	249,911
Other assets	420,625	407,975	366,134
Property, plant and equipment:
Land	125,691	125,131	102,336
Buildings	698,202	715,096	677,944
Machinery and equipment	1,952,037	1,838,590	1,750,729
Construction in progress	59,330	62,563	56,582
Total gross property, plant and equipment	2,835,260	2,741,380	2,587,591
Less allowances for depreciation	1,814,230	1,719,997	1,621,695
Total net property, plant and equipment	1,021,030	1,021,383	965,896
Total Assets	5,706,052	6,382,507	6,234,737
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings	679,436	96,551	69,035
Accounts payable	1,042,182	998,484	922,999
Compensation and taxes withheld	360,458	337,637	314,892
Accrued taxes	86,744	79,504	52,104
Current portion of long-term debt	3,265	502,948	3,689
Other accruals	508,581	513,433	513,717
Total current liabilities	2,680,666	2,528,557	1,876,436
Long-term debt	1,122,715	1,122,373	1,632,165
Postretirement benefits other than pensions	277,892	268,874	320,223
Other long-term liabilities	628,309	688,168	614,109
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock - $1.00 par value: 94,704,173, 100,129,380 and 103,270,067 shares outstanding at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively	114,525	112,902	111,623
Preferred stock - convertible, no par value: 40,406 and 101,086 shares outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively		40,406	101,086
Unearned ESOP compensation		-40,406	-101,086
Other capital	2,079,639	1,847,801	1,673,788
Retained earnings	2,424,674	1,774,050	1,226,467
Treasury stock, at cost	-3,150,410	-1,639,174	-849,685
Cumulative other comprehensive loss	-471,958	-321,044	-370,389
Total shareholders’ equity	996,470	1,774,535	1,791,804
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$5,706,052	$6,382,507	$6,234,737

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, par value (usd per share)	$1	$1	$1
Common stock, shares outstanding	94,704,173	100,129,380	103,270,067
Preferred stock, par value (usd per share)	$0	$0	$0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	40,406	101,086

Statements_of_Consolidated_Cas

Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$865,887	$752,561	$631,034
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net operating cash:
Depreciation	169,087	158,763	152,217
Amortization of intangible assets	29,858	29,031	26,985
Impairment of trademarks and goodwill			4,086
Provisions for environmental-related matters	36,046	-2,751	6,736
Provisions for qualified exit costs	13,578	4,682	2,734
Deferred income taxes	-19,038	27,775	-10,422
Defined benefit pension plans net cost	990	20,641	20,309
Stock-based compensation expense	64,735	58,004	54,348
Net (decrease) increase in postretirement liability	-718	5,233	3,666
Decrease in non-traded investments	63,365	57,261	72,861
Loss on disposition of assets	1,436	5,207	3,454
Other	203	-27,214	-18,349
Change in working capital accounts:
(Increase) in accounts receivable	-80,252	-41,473	-33,578
(Increase) decrease in inventories	-101,112	25,031	19,929
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable	78,603	34,685	-51,124
Increase (decrease) in accrued taxes	13,187	11,314	-70,264
Increase in accrued compensation and taxes withheld	29,513	24,435	63,697
(Decrease) increase in refundable income taxes	-36,601	13,244	-32,967
DOL settlement accrual		-80,000	80,000
Other	-20,029	43,804	11,000
Costs incurred for environmental-related matters	-9,676	-12,539	-31,689
Costs incurred for qualified exit costs	-10,882	-7,419	-4,577
Other	-6,652	-16,509	-12,200
Net operating cash	1,081,528	1,083,766	887,886
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	-200,545	-166,680	-157,112
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired		-79,940	-99,242
Proceeds from sale of assets	1,516	3,045	9,677
Increase in other investments	-111,021	-94,739	-95,778
Net investing cash	-310,050	-338,314	-342,455
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings	591,423	31,634	-284,839
Proceeds from long-term debt	1,474	473	999,697
Payments of long-term debt	-500,661	-10,932	-14,000
Payments of cash dividends	-215,263	-204,978	-160,939
Proceeds from stock options exercised	100,069	69,761	221,126
Income tax effect of stock-based compensation exercises and vesting	68,657	47,527	104,858
Treasury stock purchased	-1,488,663	-769,271	-557,766
Other	-24,111	-17,522	-21,559
Net financing cash	-1,467,075	-853,308	286,578
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-8,560	-9,845	-2,115
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-704,157	-117,701	829,894
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	744,889	862,590	32,696
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	40,732	744,889	862,590
Taxes paid on income	310,039	200,748	223,329
Interest paid on debt	$67,306	$61,045	$41,551

Statements_of_Consolidated_Sha

Statements of Consolidated Shareholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Preferred Stock	Unearned ESOP Compen-sation	Other Capital	Retained Earnings	Treasury Stock	Cumulative Other Comprehensive Loss
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$1,516,919	$107,454	$160,273	($160,273)	$1,297,625	$756,372	($276,654)	($367,878)
Shareholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	631,034					631,034
Other comprehensive (loss) income	-2,511							-2,511
Treasury stock purchased	-557,766						-557,766
Redemption of preferred stock			-59,187	59,187
Stock options exercised	205,861	3,867			217,259		-15,265
Income tax effect of stock compensation	104,858				104,858
Restricted stock and stock option grants (net activity)	54,348	302			54,046
Cash dividends -- $2.20, $2.00 and $1.56 per common share in December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively	-160,939					-160,939
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	1,791,804	111,623	101,086	-101,086	1,673,788	1,226,467	-849,685	-370,389
Shareholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	752,561					752,561
Other comprehensive (loss) income	49,345							49,345
Treasury stock purchased	-769,271						-769,271
Redemption of preferred stock			-60,680	60,680
Stock options exercised	49,543	1,128			68,633		-20,218
Income tax effect of stock compensation	47,527				47,527
Restricted stock and stock option grants (net activity)	58,004	151			57,853
Cash dividends -- $2.20, $2.00 and $1.56 per common share in December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively	-204,978					-204,978
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	1,774,535	112,902	40,406	-40,406	1,847,801	1,774,050	-1,639,174	-321,044
Shareholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	865,887					865,887
Other comprehensive (loss) income	-150,914							-150,914
Treasury stock purchased	-1,488,663						-1,488,663
Redemption of preferred stock			-40,406	40,406
Stock options exercised	77,496	1,423			98,646		-22,573
Income tax effect of stock compensation	68,657				68,657
Restricted stock and stock option grants (net activity)	64,735	200			64,535
Cash dividends -- $2.20, $2.00 and $1.56 per common share in December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively	-215,263					-215,263
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$996,470	$114,525	$0	$0	$2,079,639	$2,424,674	($3,150,410)	($471,958)

Statements_of_Consolidated_Sha1

Statements of Consolidated Shareholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Dividends paid per common share (in dollars per share)	$2.20	$2	$1.56

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Sherwin-Williams Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, “the Company”). Inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of estimates. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those amounts.

Nature of operations. The Company is engaged in the development, manufacture, distribution and sale of paint, coatings and related products to professional, industrial, commercial and retail customers primarily in North and South America, with additional operations in the Caribbean region, Europe and Asia.

Reportable segments. See Note 18 for further details.

Cash flows. Management considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

Fair value of financial instruments. The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments:

Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amounts reported for Cash and cash equivalents approximate fair value.

Short-term investments: The carrying amounts reported for Short-term investments approximate fair value.

Investments in securities: Investments classified as available-for-sale are carried at market value. See the recurring fair value measurement table on page 45.

Non-traded investments: The Company has invested in the U.S. affordable housing and historic renovation real estate markets. These non-traded investments have been identified as variable interest entities. However, because the Company does not have the power to direct the day-to-day operations of the investments and the risk of loss is limited to the amount of contributed capital, the Company is not considered the primary beneficiary. In accordance with the Consolidation Topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC), the investments are not consolidated. The Company uses the effective yield method to determine the carrying value of the investments. Under the effective yield method, the initial cost of the investments is amortized over the period that the tax credits are recognized. The carrying amounts of the investments, included in Other assets, were $223,935, $210,779 and $223,701 at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The liabilities recorded on the balance sheets for estimated future capital contributions to the investments were $198,776, $198,761 and $218,688 at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Short-term borrowings: The carrying amounts reported for Short-term borrowings approximate fair value.

Long-term debt (including current portion): The fair values of the Company’s publicly traded debt, shown below, are based on quoted market prices. The fair values of the Company’s non-traded debt, also shown below, are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, based on the Company’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. The Company's publicly traded debt and non-traded debt are classified as level 1 and level 2, respectively, in the fair value hierarchy. See Note 7.

December 31,

2014

2013

2012

Carrying

Fair

Carrying

Fair

Carrying

Fair

Amount

Value

Amount

Value

Amount

Value

Publicly traded debt

$

1,120,924

$

1,160,280

$

1,620,646

$

1,614,739

$

1,630,056

$

1,706,487

Non-traded debt

5,056

4,812

4,675

4,430

5,798

5,600

Derivative instruments: The Company utilizes derivative instruments as part of its overall financial risk management policy. The Company entered into foreign currency option and forward currency exchange contracts with maturity dates of less than twelve months in 2014, 2013 and 2012, primarily to hedge against value changes in foreign currency. See Note 13. There were no material derivative contracts outstanding at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

Fair value measurements. The following tables summarize the Company’s assets and liabilities measured on a recurring and non-recurring basis in accordance with the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the ASC:

Assets and Liabilities Reported at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Fair Value at

Quoted Prices in

Significant Other

Significant

December 31,

Active Markets for

Observable Inputs

Unobservable

2014

Identical Assets

(Level 2)

Inputs

(Level 1)

(Level 3)

Assets:

Deferred compensation plan asset (a)

$

23,870

$

1,140

$

22,730

Liabilities:

Deferred compensation plan liability (b)

$

34,443

$

34,443

(a)

The deferred compensation plan asset consists of the investment funds maintained for the future payments under the Company’s executive deferred compensation plan, which is structured as a rabbi trust. The investments are marketable securities accounted for under the Debt and Equity Securities Topic of the ASC. The level 1 investments are valued using quoted market prices multiplied by the number of shares. The level 2 investments are valued based on vendor or broker models. The cost basis of the investment funds is $22,715.

(b)

The deferred compensation plan liability represents the value of the Company’s liability under its deferred compensation plan based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets.

Assets and Liabilities Reported at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis. Except for the acquisition-related fair value measurements described in Note 2 which qualify as level 2 measurements, there were no assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in 2014.

Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts receivable were recorded at the time of credit sales net of provisions for sales returns and allowances. The Company recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts of $53,770, $54,460 and $47,667 at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, to reduce Accounts receivable to their estimated net realizable value. The allowance was based on an analysis of historical bad debts, a review of the aging of Accounts receivable and the current creditworthiness of customers. Account receivable balances are written-off against the allowance if a final determination of uncollectibility is made. All provisions for allowances for doubtful collection of accounts are related to the creditworthiness of accounts and are included in Selling, general and administrative expenses.

Reserve for obsolescence. The Company recorded a reserve for obsolescence of $90,712, $97,523 and $88,356 at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, to reduce Inventories to their estimated net realizable value.

Goodwill. Goodwill represents the cost in excess of fair value of net assets acquired in business combinations accounted for by the purchase method. In accordance with the Impairments Topic of the ASC, goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis and in between annual tests if events or circumstances indicate potential impairment. See Note 4.

Intangible assets. Intangible assets include trademarks, non-compete covenants and certain intangible property rights. As required by the Goodwill and Other Intangibles Topic of the ASC, indefinite-lived trademarks are not amortized, but instead are tested annually for impairment, and between annual tests whenever an event occurs or circumstances indicate potential impairment. See Note 4. The cost of finite-lived trademarks, non-compete covenants and certain intangible property rights are amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected period of benefit as follows:

Useful Life

Finite-lived trademarks

5 years

Non-compete covenants

3 – 5 years

Certain intangible property rights

3 – 19 years

Accumulated amortization of finite-lived intangible assets was $303,902, $279,102 and $260,065 at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. See Note 4.

Impairment of long-lived assets. In accordance with the Property, Plant and Equipment Topic of the ASC, management evaluates the recoverability and estimated remaining lives of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable or the useful life has changed. See Notes 4 and 5.

Property, plant and equipment. Property, plant and equipment is stated on the basis of cost. Depreciation is provided by the straight-line method. Depreciation and amortization are included in the appropriate Cost of goods sold or Selling, general and administrative expense caption on the Statements of Consolidated Income. Included in Property, plant and equipment are leasehold improvements. The major classes of assets and ranges of annual depreciation rates are:

Buildings

2.5% – 20.0%

Machinery and equipment

5.0% – 20.0%

Furniture and fixtures

10.0% – 33.3%

Automobiles and trucks

10.0% – 33.3%

Standby letters of credit. The Company occasionally enters into standby letter of credit agreements to guarantee various operating activities. These agreements provide credit availability to the various beneficiaries if certain contractual events occur. Amounts outstanding under these agreements totaled $23,442, $25,896 and $22,845 at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Product warranties. The Company offers product warranties for certain products. The specific terms and conditions of such warranties vary depending on the product or customer contract requirements. Management estimated the costs of unsettled product warranty claims based on historical results and experience and included an amount in Other accruals. Management periodically assesses the adequacy of the accrual for product warranty claims and adjusts the accrual as necessary. Changes in the Company’s accrual for product warranty claims during 2014, 2013 and 2012, including customer satisfaction settlements during the year, were as follows:

2014

2013

2012

Balance at January 1

$

26,755

$

22,710

$

22,071

Charges to expense

37,879

33,265

28,590

Settlements

(36,911

)

(29,220

)

(27,951

)

Balance at December 31

$

27,723

$

26,755

$

22,710

Environmental matters. Capital expenditures for ongoing environmental compliance measures were recorded in Property, plant and equipment, and related expenses were included in the normal operating expenses of conducting business. The Company is involved with environmental investigation and remediation activities at some of its currently and formerly owned sites and at a number of third-party sites. The Company accrued for environmental-related activities for which commitments or clean-up plans have been developed and when such costs could be reasonably estimated based on industry standards and professional judgment. All accrued amounts were recorded on an undiscounted basis. Environmental-related expenses included direct costs of investigation and remediation and indirect costs such as compensation and benefits for employees directly involved in the investigation and remediation activities and fees paid to outside engineering, consulting and law firms. See Notes 8 and 13.

Employee Stock Purchase and Savings Plan and preferred stock. The Company accounts for the Employee Stock Purchase and Savings Plan (ESOP) in accordance with the Employee Stock Ownership Plans Subtopic of the Compensation – Stock Ownership Topic of the ASC. The Company recognized compensation expense for amounts contributed to the ESOP, and the ESOP used dividends on unallocated preferred shares to service debt. Unallocated preferred shares held by the ESOP were not considered outstanding in calculating earnings per share of the Company. During 2014, the Company redeemed all remaining preferred shares for cash. See Note 11.

Defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans. The Company accounts for its defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans in accordance with the Retirement Benefits Topic of the ASC, which requires the recognition of a plan’s funded status as an asset for overfunded plans and as a liability for unfunded or underfunded plans. See Note 6.

Stock-based compensation. The cost of the Company’s stock-based compensation is recorded in accordance with the Stock Compensation Topic of the ASC. See Note 12.

Foreign currency translation. All consolidated non-highly inflationary foreign operations use the local currency of the country of operation as the functional currency and translated the local currency asset and liability accounts at year-end exchange rates while income and expense accounts were translated at average exchange rates. The resulting translation adjustments were included in Cumulative other comprehensive loss, a component of Shareholders’ equity.

Cumulative other comprehensive loss. At December 31, 2014, the ending balance of Cumulative other comprehensive loss included adjustments for foreign currency translation of $354,384, net prior service costs and net actuarial losses related to pension and other postretirement benefit plans of $118,167 and unrealized net gains on marketable equity securities of $593. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the ending balance of Cumulative other comprehensive loss included adjustments for foreign currency translation of $250,943 and $204,195, respectively, net prior service costs and net actuarial losses related to pension and other postretirement benefit plans of $70,611 and $166,595, respectively, and unrealized gains on marketable equity securities of $510 and $401, respectively.

Revenue recognition. All revenues were recognized when products were shipped and title had passed to unaffiliated customers. Collectibility of amounts recorded as revenue was reasonably assured at the time of recognition.

Customer and vendor consideration. The Company offered certain customers rebate and sales incentive programs which were classified as reductions in Net sales. Such programs were in the form of volume rebates, rebates that constituted a percentage of sales or rebates for attaining certain sales goals. The Company received consideration from certain suppliers of raw materials in the form of volume rebates or rebates that

constituted a percentage of purchases. These rebates were recognized on an accrual basis by the Company as a reduction of the purchase price of the raw materials and a subsequent reduction of Cost of goods sold when the related product was sold.

Costs of goods sold. Included in Costs of goods sold were costs for materials, manufacturing, distribution and related support. Distribution costs included all expenses related to the distribution of products including inbound freight charges, purchase and receiving costs, warehousing costs, internal transfer costs and all costs incurred to ship products. Also included in Costs of goods sold were total technical expenditures, which included research and development costs, quality control, product formulation expenditures and other similar items. Research and development costs included in technical expenditures were $50,019, $47,042 and $44,648 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The settlement gain related to the titanium dioxide litigation reduced 2014 Costs of goods sold by $21,420. See Note 9.

Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling costs included advertising expenses, marketing costs, employee and store costs and sales commissions. The cost of advertising was expensed as incurred. The Company incurred $299,201, $262,492 and $247,469 in advertising costs during 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. General and administrative expenses included human resources, legal, finance and other support and administrative functions.

Earnings per share. Shares of preferred stock held in an unallocated account of the ESOP (see Note 11) and common stock held in a revocable trust (see Note 10) were not considered outstanding shares for basic or diluted income per common share calculations. All references to “shares” or “per share” information throughout this report relate to common shares and are stated on a diluted per common share basis, unless otherwise indicated. Basic and diluted net income per common share were calculated using the two-class method in accordance with the Earnings Per Common Share Topic of the ASC. Basic net income per common share amounts were computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted net income per common share amounts were computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus all dilutive securities potentially outstanding during the year. See Note 15.

Impact of recently issued accounting standards. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, "Revenue Recognition - Revenue from Contracts with Customers," which is a comprehensive revenue recognition standard that will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and either full retrospective adoption or modified retrospective adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of the standard.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
ACQUISITIONS	ACQUISITIONS
	On September 16, 2013, the Company entered into a definitive Stock Purchase Agreement and completed the acquisition of the U.S./Canada business of Consorcio Comex, S.A. de C.V. (Comex). The U.S./Canada business of Comex focuses on the manufacture and sale of paint and paint related products through retail service centers under various proprietary brands. The acquisition strengthens the ability of the Paint Stores Group and Consumer Group to serve customers in key geographic markets. The acquisition resulted in the recognition of intangible assets of $4,696. Final asset valuation adjustments resulted in a realized gain of $6,198 which was included in Other (income) expense for the year ended December 31, 2014. The acquisition of the U.S./Canada business of Comex has been accounted for as a purchase and the results of operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition.
	On April 3, 2014, the Company terminated the Stock Purchase Agreement entered into on November 9, 2013 and subsequently amended and restated for the acquisition of the Mexico business of Comex pursuant to the terms of the agreement.
	The following unaudited pro-forma summary presents consolidated financial information as if the U.S./Canada business of Comex had been acquired at the beginning of 2013. The unaudited pro-forma consolidated financial information does not necessarily reflect the actual results that would have occurred had the acquisitions taken place on January 1, 2013 or the future results of operations of the combined companies under ownership and operation of the Company.
		2014		2013
	Net sales	$	11,129,533	$	10,540,181
	Net income	865,887		725,774
	Net income per common share:
	Basic	8.95		7.13
	Diluted	8.78		6.98

Inventories

Inventories	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
INVENTORIES	INVENTORIES
	Inventories were stated at the lower of cost or market with cost determined principally on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. The following presents the effect on inventories, net income and net income per common share had the Company used the first-in, first-out (FIFO) inventory valuation method adjusted for income taxes at the statutory rate and assuming no other adjustments. Management believes that the use of LIFO results in a better matching of costs and revenues. This information is presented to enable the reader to make comparisons with companies using the FIFO method of inventory valuation. During 2014, 2013 and 2012, certain inventories accounted for on the LIFO method were reduced, resulting in the liquidation of certain quantities carried at costs prevailing in prior years. The 2014 and 2013 liquidations increased net income by $196 and $169, respectively, while the 2012 liquidations reduced net income by $160.
		2014			2013			2012
	Percentage of total	76		%	75		%	75		%
	inventories on LIFO
	Excess of FIFO over	$	331,867		$	337,214		$	357,303
	LIFO
	Increase in net	3,230			12,299			13,365
	income due to LIFO
	Increase in net	0.03			0.12			0.13
	income per common
	share due to LIFO

Goodwill_Intangible_and_LongLi

Goodwill, Intangible and Long-Lived Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
GOODWILL, INTANGIBLE AND LONG-LIVED ASSETS	GOODWILL, INTANGIBLE AND LONG-LIVED ASSETS
	During 2013 and 2014, the Company recognized acquired customer relationships and finite-lived trademarks of $3,311 and $1,385, respectively, related to the acquisition of the U.S./Canada business of Comex. The customer relationships and finite-lived trademarks are being amortized over 7 years from the date of acquisition. The Company initially recognized $1,885 of goodwill and $466 of indefinite-lived trademarks in 2013, but subsequently adjusted these amounts to zero based on final asset valuations completed in 2014.
	During 2012 and 2013, the Company recognized $60,027 of goodwill and $968 of indefinite-lived trademarks related to the 2012 acquisitions of Geocel and Pulanna. Acquired customer relationships, finite-lived trademarks, intellectual property and covenants not to compete recognized in these acquisitions valued at $25,120, $13,000, $4,955 and $1,335, respectively, are being amortized over periods ranging from 3 to 15 years from the date of acquisition.
	In accordance with the Property, Plant and Equipment Topic of the ASC, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable or the useful life may have changed, impairment tests are to be performed. Undiscounted cash flows are to be used to calculate the recoverable value of long-lived assets to determine if such assets are impaired. Where impairment is identified, a discounted cash flow valuation model, incorporating discount rates commensurate with the risks involved for each group of assets, is to be used to determine the fair value for the assets to measure any potential impairment. No material impairments were recorded in 2014, 2013 and 2012.
	In accordance with the Goodwill and Other Intangibles Topic of the ASC, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment annually, and interim impairment tests are performed whenever an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate an impairment has more likely than not occurred. October 1 has been established for the annual impairment review. At the time of impairment testing, values are estimated separately for goodwill and trademarks with indefinite lives using a discounted cash flow valuation model, incorporating discount rates commensurate with the risks involved for each group of assets. An optional qualitative assessment may alleviate the need to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test when impairment is unlikely. The Company used the qualitative assessment for each of its reporting units in 2014, 2013 and 2012.
	The annual impairment reviews performed as of October 1, 2014 and 2013 did not result in any goodwill or trademark impairment. The 2012 impairment review resulted in trademark impairments in the Paint Stores Group and Global Finishes Group of $3,400 and $686, respectively, and no goodwill impairment. The trademark impairments related primarily to the planned conversion of various acquired brands and are reported as a separate line in the Statements of Consolidated Income.
	Amortization of finite-lived intangible assets is as follows for the next five years: $26,379 in 2015, $20,297 in 2016, $15,706 in 2017 and $14,052 in 2018 and $12,711 in 2019.
	A summary of changes in the Company’s carrying value of goodwill by Reportable Segment is as follows:
	Goodwill	Paint Stores			Consumer			Global			Latin America			Consolidated
		Group			Group			Finishes			Coatings Group			Totals
								Group
	Balance at January 1, 2012 (a)	$	286,998		$	689,279		$	120,350		$	11,381		$	1,108,008
	Acquisitions				17,357			24,707						42,064
	Currency and other adjustments	(214		)	(344		)	7,230			(739		)	5,933
	Balance at December 31, 2012 (a)	286,784			706,292			152,287			10,642			1,156,005
	Acquisitions	1,885						17,963						19,848
	Currency and other adjustments	(1,369		)	(2,941		)	8,048			(904		)	2,834
	Balance at December 31, 2013 (a)	287,300			703,351			178,298			9,738			1,178,687
	Currency and other adjustments	(1,866		)	(1,145		)	(17,287		)	(43		)	(20,341		)
	Balance at December 31, 2014 (a)	$	285,434		$	702,206		$	161,011		$	9,695		$	1,158,346
	(a)	Net of accumulated impairment losses of $8,904 ($8,113 in the Consumer Group and $791 in the Global Finishes Group).
	A summary of the Company’s carrying value of intangible assets is as follows:
		Finite-lived intangible assets									Trademarks			Total
											with indefinite			intangible
		Software			All other			Subtotal			lives			assets
	31-Dec-14
	Weighted-average amortization period	8 years			12 years			11 years
	Gross	$	126,258		$	317,005		$	443,263
	Accumulated amortization	(88,384		)	(215,518		)	(303,902		)
	Net value	$	37,874		$	101,487		$	139,361		$	149,766		$	289,127
	31-Dec-13
	Weighted-average amortization period	8 years			10 years			9 years
	Gross	$	114,404		$	327,962		$	442,366
	Accumulated amortization	(77,018		)	(202,084		)	(279,102		)
	Net value	$	37,386		$	125,878		$	163,264		$	150,035		$	313,299
	31-Dec-12
	Weighted-average amortization period	8 years			12 years			11 years
	Gross	$	107,779		$	337,089		$	444,868
	Accumulated amortization	(66,106		)	(193,959		)	(260,065		)
	Net value	$	41,673		$	143,130		$	184,803		$	162,750		$	347,553

Valuation_and_Qualifying_Accou

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves (Schedule II)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves (Schedule II)	Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves
	(Schedule II)
	Changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts were as follows:
	(thousands of dollars)	2014			2013			2012
	Beginning balance	$	54,460		$	47,667		$	51,747
	Amount acquired through acquisitions				896			226
	Bad debt expense	34,810			31,192			20,922
	Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries	(35,500		)	(25,295		)	(25,228		)
	Ending balance	$	53,770		$	54,460		$	47,667

Exit_or_Disposal_Activities

Exit or Disposal Activities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
EXIT OR DISPOSAL ACTIVITIES	EXIT OR DISPOSAL ACTIVITIES
	Management is continually re-evaluating the Company’s operating facilities, including acquired operating facilities, against its long-term strategic goals. Liabilities associated with exit or disposal activities are recognized as incurred in accordance with the Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations Topic of the ASC. Provisions for qualified exit costs are made at the time a facility is no longer operational. Qualified exit costs primarily include post-closure rent expenses or costs to terminate the contract before the end of its term and costs of employee terminations. Adjustments may be made to liabilities accrued for qualified exit costs if information becomes available upon which more accurate amounts can be reasonably estimated.
	Concurrently, property, plant and equipment is tested for impairment in accordance with the Property, Plant and Equipment Topic of the ASC, and if impairment exists, the carrying value of the related assets is reduced to estimated fair value. Additional impairment may be recorded for subsequent revisions in estimated fair value. Adjustments to prior provisions and additional impairment charges for property, plant and equipment of closed sites being held for disposal are recorded in Other general expense – net.
	During 2014, 7 facilities and 24 stores and branches were closed due to lower demand or redundancy. In addition, the Global Finishes Group exited its business in Venezuela. Provisions
	for severance and other qualified exit cost of $280, $4,809 and $4,767 were charged to the Paint Stores Group, Consumer Group and Global Finishes Group, respectively. Provisions for severance and other qualified exit costs related to manufacturing facilities, distribution facilities, stores and branches closed prior to 2014 of $3,722 were recorded.
	During 2013, 5 facilities and 16 stores and branches were closed due to lower demand or redundancy. Provisions for severance and other qualified exit cost of $1,004, $598, $278 and $123 were charged to the Paint Stores Group, Consumer Group, Global Finishes Group and Latin America Coatings Group, respectively. Provisions for severance and other qualified exit costs and adjustments to prior provisions related to manufacturing facilities, distribution facilities, stores and branches closed prior to 2013 of $2,679 were recorded.
	During 2012, 19 stores and branches were closed due to
	lower demand or redundancy. Provisions for severance and other qualified exit cost of $7,363 and $313 were charged to the Global Finishes Group and Paint Stores Group, respectively. There were no provisions for severance and other qualified exit costs charged to the Consumer Group or Latin America Coatings Group. Adjustments to prior provisions related to manufacturing facilities, distribution facilities, stores and branches closed prior to 2012 of $(4,942) were recorded.
	At December 31, 2014, a portion of the remaining accrual for qualified exit costs relating to facilities shutdown prior to 2012 is expected to be incurred by the end of 2015. The remaining portion of the ending accrual for facilities shutdown prior to 2012 primarily represented post-closure contractual expenses related to certain owned facilities which are closed and being held for disposal. The Company cannot reasonably estimate when such matters will be concluded to permit disposition.
	The tables on the following pages summarize the activity and remaining liabilities associated with qualified exit costs:
	Exit Plan	Balance at		Provisions in		Actual			Balance at
		December 31,		Cost of goods		expenditures			December 31,
		2013		sold or SG&A		charged to			2014
						accrual
	Paint Stores Group stores shutdown in 2014:
	Other qualified exit costs			$	280				$	280
	Consumer Group facilities shutdown in 2014:
	Severance and related costs			4,028		$	(1,296	)	2,732
	Other qualified exit costs			781					781
	Global Finishes Group exit of business in 2014:
	Severance and related costs			2,500		(2,396		)	104
	Other qualified exit costs			2,267		(1,187		)	1,080
	Paint Stores Group facility shutdown in 2013:
	Severance and related costs	$	977	2,126		(2,449		)	654
	Other qualified exit costs			1,499		(294		)	1,205
	Consumer Group facilities shutdown in 2013:
	Severance and related costs	598		97		(695		)
	Global Finishes Group stores shutdown in 2013:
	Severance and related costs	33				(5		)	28
	Other qualified exit costs	220				(82		)	138
	Latin America Coatings Group facilities
	shutdown in 2013:
	Severance and related costs	123				(123		)
	Paint Stores Group stores shutdown in 2012:
	Other qualified exit costs	244				(51		)	193
	Global Finishes Group facilities shutdown in 2012:
	Severance and related costs	2,177				(1,863		)	314
	Other qualified exit costs	83							83
	Other qualified exit costs for facilities	1,365				(441		)	924
	shutdown prior to 2012
	Totals	$	5,820	$	13,578	$	(10,882	)	$	8,516
	Exit Plan	Balance at		Provisions in		Actual			Adjustments to			Balance at
		December 31,		Cost of goods		expenditures			prior provisions			December 31,
		2012		sold or SG&A		charged to			in Other general			2013
						accrual			expense - net
	Paint Stores Group stores shutdown in 2013:
	Severance and related costs			$	1,004	$	(27	)				$	977
	Consumer Group facilities shutdown in 2013:
	Severance and related costs			598								598
	Global Finishes Group branches shutdown in 2013:
	Severance and related costs			278		(25		)				253
	Latin America Coatings Group facilities
	shutdown in 2013:
	Severance and related costs			123								123
	Paint Stores Group stores shutdown in 2012:
	Other qualified exit costs	$	313			(68		)	$	(1	)	244
	Global Finishes Group facilities shutdown in 2012:
	Severance and related costs	2,236		2,533		(2,592		)				2,177
	Other qualified exit costs	3,430		83		(3,530		)	100			83
	Global Finishes Group branches shutdown in 2011:
	Other qualified exit costs	290				(222		)				68
	Other qualified exit costs for facilities	2,288				(955		)	(36		)	1,297
	shutdown prior to 2011
	Totals	$	8,557	$	4,619	$	(7,419	)	$	63		$	5,820
Exit Plan	Balance at		Provisions in		Actual			Adjustments to			Balance at
	1-Jan-12		Cost of goods		expenditures			prior provisions			December 31,
			sold or SG&A		charged to			in Other general			2012
					accrual			expense - net
Paint Stores Group stores shutdown
in 2012:
Other qualified exit costs			$	313							$	313
Global Finishes Group facility shutdown
in 2012:
Severance and related costs			3,933		$	(1,697	)				2,236
Other qualified exit costs			3,430								3,430
Consumer Group manufacturing facilities
shutdown in 2011:
Severance and related costs	$	197			(133		)	$	(64	)
Paint Stores Group stores shutdown
in 2011:
Other qualified exit costs	156				(144		)	(12		)
Global Finishes Group branches shutdown
in 2011:
Severance and related costs	129				(134		)	5
Other qualified exit costs	470				(180		)				290
Global Finishes Group branches shutdown
in 2010:
Other qualified exit costs	955				(133		)				822
Other qualified exit costs for facilities	8,493				(2,156		)	(4,871		)	1,466
shutdown prior to 2010
Totals	$	10,400	$	7,676	$	(4,577	)	$	(4,942	)	$	8,557

Pension_Health_Care_and_Postre

Pension, Health Care and Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
PENSION, HEALTH CARE AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS OTHER THAN PENSIONS	PENSION, HEALTH CARE AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS OTHER THAN PENSIONS
	The Company provides pension benefits to substantially all employees through primarily noncontributory defined contribution or defined benefit plans and certain health care and life insurance benefits to domestic active employees and eligible retirees. In accordance with the Retirement Benefits Topic of the ASC, the Company recognizes an asset for overfunded defined benefit pension or other postretirement benefit plans and a liability for unfunded or underfunded plans. In addition, actuarial gains and losses and prior service costs of such plans are recorded in Cumulative other comprehensive loss, a component of Shareholders’ equity. The amounts recorded in Cumulative other comprehensive loss will continue to be modified as actuarial assumptions and service costs change, and all such amounts will be amortized to expense over a period of years through the net pension cost (credit) and net periodic benefit cost.
	Health care plans. The Company provides certain domestic health care plans that are contributory and contain cost-sharing features such as deductibles and coinsurance. There were 21,239, 19,440 and 18,609 active employees entitled to receive benefits under these plans at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The cost of these benefits for active employees, which includes claims incurred and claims incurred but not reported, amounted to $202,787, $174,588 and $163,011 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Defined contribution pension plans. The Company’s annual contribution for its domestic defined contribution pension plan was $32,384, $27,803 and $25,147 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The contribution percentage ranges from two percent to seven percent of compensation for covered employees based on an age and service formula. Assets in employee accounts of the domestic defined contribution pension plan are invested in various investment funds as directed by the participants. These investment funds did not own a significant number of shares of the Company’s common stock for any year presented.
	The Company’s annual contribution for its foreign defined contribution pension plans, which is based on various percentages of compensation for covered employees up to certain limits, was $4,592, $1,428 and $4,621 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Assets in employee accounts of the foreign defined contribution pension plans are invested in various investment funds. These investment funds did not own a significant number of shares of the Company’s common stock for any year presented.
	Defined benefit pension plans. The Company has one salaried and one hourly domestic defined benefit pension plan, and twenty-one foreign defined benefit pension plans, including three Canadian plans acquired in connection with the 2013 acquisition of Comex's U.S./Canada business. All participants in the domestic salaried defined benefit pension plan prior to January 1, 2002 retain the previous defined benefit formula for computing benefits with certain modifications for active employees. Eligible domestic salaried employees hired or re-hired between January 1, 2002 and September 30, 2011 became participants in the revised domestic salaried defined benefit pension plan upon completion of six months of service. All employees who became participants on or after January 1, 2002 and before January 1, 2005 were credited with certain contribution credits equivalent to six percent of their salary. All employees who became participants on or after January 1, 2005 were credited with certain contribution credits that range from two percent to seven percent of compensation based on an age and service formula. Effective July 1, 2009, the domestic salaried defined benefit pension plan was revised, and all employees who become participants on or after January 1, 2002 were credited with certain contribution credits that range from two percent to seven percent of compensation based on an age and service formula. Contribution credits are converted into units to account for each participant’s benefits. Participants will receive a variable annuity benefit upon retirement or a lump sum distribution upon termination (if vested). The variable annuity benefit is subject to the hypothetical returns achieved on each participant’s allocation of units from investments in various investment funds as directed by the participant. Contribution credits to the revised domestic salaried defined benefit pension plan are being funded through existing plan assets. Effective October 1, 2011, the domestic salaried defined benefit pension plan was frozen for new hires, and all newly hired U.S. non-collectively bargained employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s domestic defined contribution plan.
	In connection with the 2013 acquisition of Comex's U.S./Canada business, the Company acquired a domestic defined benefit pension plan (Comex Plan). The Comex Plan was merged into the Company's salaried defined benefit pension plan as of November 29, 2013 and was frozen for new participants as of December 31, 2013. Accrued benefits and vesting service under the Comex Plan were credited under the Company's domestic salaried defined benefit pension plan.
	At December 31, 2014, the domestic salaried and hourly defined benefit pension plans were overfunded, with a projected benefit obligation of $653,338, fair value of plan assets of $896,071 and excess plan assets of $242,733. The plans are
	funded in accordance with all applicable regulations at December 31, 2014 and no funding will be required in 2015. At December 31, 2013, the domestic salaried and hourly defined benefit pension plans were overfunded, with a projected benefit obligation of $582,036, fair value of plan assets of $870,386 and excess plan assets of $288,350. At December 31, 2012, the domestic salaried defined benefit pension plan was overfunded, with a projected benefit obligation of $313,964, fair value of plan assets of $559,552 and excess plan assets of $245,588, and the domestic hourly defined benefit pension plan was underfunded, with a projected benefit obligation of $152,863, fair value of plan assets of $144,011 and a deficiency of plan assets of $8,852.
	At December 31, 2014, seventeen of the Company’s foreign defined benefit pension plans were unfunded or underfunded, with combined accumulated benefit obligations, projected benefit obligations, fair values of net assets and deficiencies of plan assets of $143,324, $171,841, $117,623
	and $54,218, respectively. An increase of $11,527 from 2013 in the combined projected benefit obligations of all foreign defined benefit pension plans was primarily due to changes in plan assumptions.
	The Company expects to make the following benefit payments for all domestic and foreign defined benefit pension plans: $64,067 in 2015; $64,285 in 2016; $64,940 in 2017; $65,478 in 2018; $65,636 in 2019; and $286,119 in 2020 through 2024. The Company expects to contribute $6,281 to the foreign plans in 2015.
	The estimated net actuarial losses and prior service costs for the defined benefit pension plans that are expected to be amortized from Cumulative other comprehensive loss into the net pension costs in 2015 are $5,311 and $1,310, respectively.
	The following table summarizes the components of the net pension costs and Cumulative other comprehensive loss related to the defined benefit pension plans:
		Domestic									Foreign
		Defined Benefit Pension Plans									Defined Benefit Pension Plans
		2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
	Net pension costs:
	Service costs	$	21,342		$	23,176		$	19,061		$	5,261		$	5,039		$	3,654
	Interest costs	26,266			18,444			17,442			10,422			7,940			6,927
	Expected returns on plan assets	(51,293		)	(42,937		)	(44,841		)	(10,836		)	(7,487		)	(6,799		)
	Amortization of prior service costs	1,837			1,823			1,591
	Amortization of actuarial losses				13,147			22,205			1,413			1,716			1,022
	Ongoing pension (credits) costs	(1,848		)	13,653			15,458			6,260			7,208			4,804
	Settlement (credits) costs										(3,422		)	(220		)	47
	Net pension (credits) costs	(1,848		)	13,653			15,458			2,838			6,988			4,851
	Other changes in plan assets and projected benefit
	obligation recognized in Cumulative other comprehensive loss (before taxes):
	Net actuarial losses (gains) arising during the year	47,785			(90,669		)	(26,459		)	21,792			(5,487		)	14,131
	Prior service costs during the year	2,242			1,756			2,495
	Amortization of prior service costs	(1,837		)	(1,823		)	(1,591		)
	Amortization of actuarial losses				(13,147		)	(22,205		)	(1,413		)	(1,716		)	(1,022		)
	Exchange rate (loss) gain recognized during year										(7,988		)	819			1,464
	Total recognized in Cumulative other	48,190			(103,883		)	(47,760		)	12,391			(6,384		)	14,573
	comprehensive loss
	Total recognized in net pension costs (credits)	$	46,342		$	(90,230	)	$	(32,302	)	$	15,229		$	604		$	19,424
	and Cumulative other comprehensive loss
	The Company employs a total return investment approach for the domestic and foreign defined benefit pension plan assets. A mix of equities and fixed income investments are used to maximize the long-term return of assets for a prudent level of risk. In determining the expected long-term rate of return on defined benefit pension plan assets, management considers the historical rates of return, the nature of investments and an expectation of future investment strategies. The target allocations for plan assets are 45 – 65 percent equity securities and 30 – 40 percent fixed income securities.
	The following tables summarize the fair value of the defined benefit pension plan assets at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
		Fair Value at			Quoted Prices in			Significant Other			Significant
		December 31,			Active Markets for Identical			Observable			Unobservable
		2014			Assets			Inputs			Inputs
					(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Investments at fair value:
	Short-term investments (a)	$	14,846					$	14,846
	Equity investments (b)	739,358			$	404,542		334,816
	Fixed income investments (c)	285,042			141,529			143,513
	Other assets (d)	44,469						28,435			$	16,034
		$	1,083,715		$	546,071		$	521,610		$	16,034
		Fair Value at			Quoted Prices in			Significant Other			Significant
		December 31,			Active Markets for Identical			Observable			Unobservable Inputs
		2013			Assets			Inputs			(Level 3)
					(Level 1)			(Level 2)
	Investments at fair value:
	Short-term investments (a)	$	15,055		$	1,941		$	13,114
	Equity investments (b)	736,873			419,779			317,094
	Fixed income investments (c)	255,927			125,377			130,550
	Other assets (d)	47,494						29,553			$	17,941
		$	1,055,349		$	547,097		$	490,311		$	17,941
		Fair Value at			Quoted Prices in			Significant Other			Significant
		December 31,			Active Markets for Identical			Observable			Unobservable Inputs
		2012			Assets			Inputs			(Level 3)
					(Level 1)			(Level 2)
	Investments at fair value:
Short-term investments (a)	$	68,795					$	68,795
Equity investments (b)	490,993			$	243,553		247,440
Fixed income investments (c)	239,558			131,276			108,282
Other assets (d)	37,230						18,380			$	18,850
	$	836,576		$	374,829		$	442,897		$	18,850
(a)	This category includes a full range of high quality, short-term money market securities.
(b)	This category includes actively managed equity assets that track primarily to the S&P 500.
(c)	This category includes government and corporate bonds that track primarily to the Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index.
(d)	This category consists of venture capital funds.
The following tables summarize the changes in the fair value of the defined benefit pension plan assets classified as level 3 at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
	Balance at			Dispositions			Realized and Unrealized Gains			Balance at
	December 31,									December 31,
	2013									2014
Other assets	$	17,941		$	(4,320	)	$	2,413		$	16,034
	Balance at			Dispositions			Realized and Unrealized Gains			Balance at
	December 31,									December 31,
	2012									2013
Other assets	$	18,850		$	(4,068	)	$	3,159		$	17,941
	Balance at			Dispositions			Realized and Unrealized Gains			Balance at
	January 1,									December 31,
	2012									2012
Other assets	$	20,900		$	(3,827	)	$	1,777		$	18,850
Included as equity investments in the domestic defined benefit pension plan assets at December 31, 2014 were 300,000 shares of the Company’s common stock with a market value of $78,912, representing 8.8 percent of total domestic plan assets. Dividends received on the Company’s common stock during 2014 totaled $660.
The following table summarizes the obligations, plan assets and assumptions used for the defined benefit pension plans, which are all measured as of December 31:
	Domestic									Foreign
	Defined Benefit Pension Plans									Defined Benefit Pension Plans
	2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
Accumulated benefit obligations	$	648,480		$	577,736		$	460,591		$	203,610		$	187,670		$	142,769
at end of year
Projected benefit obligations:
Balances at beginning of year	$	582,036		$	466,827		$	410,029		$	222,996		$	168,758		$	141,465
Service costs	21,342			23,176			19,061			5,261			5,039			3,654
Interest costs	26,266			18,444			17,442			10,422			7,940			6,927
Actuarial losses (gains)	68,748			(5,488		)	48,346			32,551			5,939			17,532
Acquisitions of businesses and other	2,242			113,174			2,496			(10,062		)	39,622			(975		)
Effect of foreign exchange										(18,987		)	1,549			6,633
Benefits paid	(47,296		)	(34,097		)	(30,547		)	(7,657		)	(5,851		)	(6,478		)
Balances at end of year	653,338			582,036			466,827			234,524			222,996			168,758
Plan assets:
Balances at beginning of year	870,386			703,563			614,463			184,963			133,013			118,060
Actual returns on plan assets	72,256			128,117			119,647			20,240			20,316			10,201
Acquisitions of businesses and other	725			72,803						3,958			36,106			6,205
Effect of foreign exchange										(13,859		)	1,379			5,025
Benefits paid	(47,296		)	(34,097		)	(30,547		)	(7,657		)	(5,851		)	(6,478		)
Balances at end of year	896,071			870,386			703,563			187,645			184,963			133,013
Excess (deficient) plan assets over	$	242,733		$	288,350		$	236,736		$	(46,879	)	$	(38,033	)	$	(35,745	)
projected benefit obligations
Assets and liabilities recognized in the
Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Deferred pension assets	$	242,733		$	288,350		$	245,588		$	7,411		$	14,096		$	4,323
Other accruals										(810		)	(1,126		)	(869		)
Other long-term liabilities							(8,852		)	(53,480		)	(51,003		)	(39,199		)
	$	242,733		$	288,350		$	236,736		$	(46,879	)	$	(38,033	)	$	(35,745	)
Amounts recognized in Cumulative other
comprehensive loss:
Net actuarial losses	$	(107,057	)	$	(59,272	)	$	(163,088	)	$	(47,574	)	$	(35,183	)	$	(41,567	)
Prior service costs	(6,448		)	(6,043		)	(6,110		)
	$	(113,505	)	$	(65,315	)	$	(169,198	)	$	(47,574	)	$	(35,183	)	$	(41,567	)
Weighted-average assumptions used to
determine projected benefit obligations:
Discount rate	3.95		%	4.65		%	3.73		%	3.92		%	4.89		%	4.58		%
Rate of compensation increase	4		%	4		%	4		%	3.7		%	4.31		%	4.08		%
Weighted-average assumptions used to
determine net pension costs:
Discount rate	4.65		%	3.73		%	4.4		%	4.89		%	4.58		%	4.94		%
Expected long-term rate of	6		%	6		%	7.5		%	5.58		%	5.67		%	6.04		%
return on assets
Rate of compensation increase	4		%	4		%	4		%	4.31		%	4.08		%	4.04		%
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions. Employees of the Company hired in the United States prior to January 1, 1993 who are not members of a collective bargaining unit, and certain groups of employees added through acquisitions, are eligible for health care and life
insurance benefits upon retirement, subject to the terms of the unfunded plans. There were 4,443, 4,419 and 4,402 retired employees entitled to receive such postretirement benefits at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
The following table summarizes the obligation and the assumptions used for postretirement benefits other than pensions:
	Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions
	2014			2013			2012
Benefit obligation:
Balance at beginning of year - unfunded	$	286,651		$	338,134		$	316,795
Service cost	2,434			3,061			2,943
Interest cost	12,782			12,183			13,520
Actuarial loss (gain)	27,757			(50,593		)	18,961
Plan amendments	(19,043		)	(2,503		)
Benefits paid	(15,432		)	(13,631		)	(14,085		)
Balance at end of year - unfunded	$	295,149		$	286,651		$	338,134
Liabilities recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Postretirement benefits other than pensions	$	(277,892	)	$	(268,874	)	$	(320,223	)
Other accruals	(17,257		)	(17,777		)	(17,911		)
	$	(295,149	)	$	(286,651	)	$	(338,134	)
Amounts recognized in Cumulative other comprehensive loss:
Net actuarial losses	$	(36,044	)	$	(8,287	)	$	(62,814	)
Prior service costs	21,043			2,503			328
	$	(15,001	)	$	(5,784	)	$	(62,486	)
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligation:
Discount rate	3.9		%	4.6		%	3.7		%
Health care cost trend rate - pre-65	7		%	7.5		%	8		%
Health care cost trend rate - post-65	6.5		%	6.5		%	8		%
Prescription drug cost increases	6.5		%	7		%	8		%
Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP) trend rate	8		%
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost:
Discount rate	4.6		%	3.7		%	4.4		%
Health care cost trend rate - pre-65	7.5		%	8		%	8		%
Health care cost trend rate - post-65	6.5		%	8		%	8		%
Prescription drug cost increases	7		%	8		%	8		%
The following table summarizes the components of the net periodic benefit cost and cumulative other comprehensive loss related to postretirement benefits other than pensions:
	Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions
	2014			2013			2012
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	2,434		$	3,061		$	2,943
Interest cost	12,782			12,183			13,520
Amortization of actuarial losses				3,934			1,715
Amortization of prior service credit	(503		)	(328		)	(656		)
Net periodic benefit cost	14,713			18,850			17,522
Other changes in projected benefit obligation recognized in
Cumulative other comprehensive loss (before taxes):
Net actuarial loss (gain)	27,757			(50,593		)	18,961
Prior service credit arising during the year	(19,043		)	(2,503		)
Amortization of actuarial losses				(3,934		)	(1,715		)
Amortization of prior service credit	503			328			656
Total recognized in Cumulative other comprehensive loss	9,217			(56,702		)	17,902
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and	$	23,930		$	(37,852	)	$	35,424
Cumulative other comprehensive loss
The estimated net actuarial losses and prior service (credits) for postretirement benefits other than pensions that are expected to be amortized from Cumulative other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit cost in 2015 are $1,011 and $(4,529), respectively.
The assumed health care cost trend rate and prescription drug cost increases used to determine the net periodic benefit cost for postretirement health care benefits for 2015 both decrease in each successive year until reaching 5.0 percent in 2022. The assumed health care and prescription drug cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the postretirement health care benefit obligation. A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care and prescription drug cost trend rates would have had the following effects at December 31, 2014:
	One-Percentage Point
	Increase			(Decrease)
Effect on total of service and interest cost components	$	23		$	(66	)
Effect on the postretirement benefit obligation	$	734		$	(1,697	)
Prior to the 2013 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), the Company offered retiree prescription drug coverage under Medicare Part D and was entitled to a tax-free retiree drug subsidy (RDS). In accordance with the accounting guidance related to the Medicare Act included in the Retirement Benefits Topic of the ASC, the effects of the RDS resulted in a $21,400 reduction of the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation for benefits attributed to past service, which was recognized prospectively beginning July 1, 2004. During 2012, this recognition resulted in a $5,712 reduction of the net periodic benefit cost, which consisted of changes in actuarial experience and reductions in interest cost of $5,278 and $434, respectively. There is no expense impact in years after 2012 due to the elimination of the tax deduction previously allowed for the RDS. Subsequent to the passing of the PPACA, the Company's retiree prescription drug coverage was restructured as an EGWP, and the benefits provided to plan participants remain substantially the same.
The Company expects to make retiree health care benefit cash payments and to receive government reimbursements as follows:
	Retiree Health			Government Reimbursement			Expected Cash
	Care Benefits						Payments - Net
2015	$	19,563		$	(2,305	)	$	17,258
2016	20,759			(2,474		)	18,285
2017	22,000			(2,667		)	19,333
2018	22,884			(2,888		)	19,996
2019	23,486			(3,107		)	20,379
2020 through 2024	115,694			(16,779		)	98,915
Total expected benefit cash payments	$	224,386		$	(30,220	)	$	194,166

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
DEBT	DEBT
	Long-term debt
		Due Date	2014		2013		2012
	1.35% Senior Notes	2017	$	699,460	$	699,277	$	699,091
	4.00% Senior Notes	2042	298,595		298,545		298,493
	7.375% Debentures	2027	119,369		119,366		129,060
	7.45% Debentures	2097	3,500		3,500		3,500
	2.02% to 8.00% Promissory Notes	Through 2029	1,791		1,685		2,109
	3.125% Senior Notes	2014					499,912
			$	1,122,715	$	1,122,373	$	1,632,165
	Maturities of long-term debt are as follows for the next five years: $3,265 in 2015; $678 in 2016; $700,150 in 2017; $153 in 2018 and $156 in 2019. Interest expense on long-term debt was $56,408, $57,949 and $36,188 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Among other restrictions, the Company’s Notes, Debentures and revolving credit agreement contain certain covenants relating to liens, ratings changes, merger and sale of assets, consolidated leverage and change of control as defined in
	the agreements. In the event of default under any one of these arrangements, acceleration of the maturity of any one or more of these borrowings may result. The Company was in compliance with all covenants for all years presented.
	On December 4, 2012, the Company issued $700,000 of 1.35% Senior Notes due 2017 and $300,000 of 4.00% Senior Notes due 2042. The Senior Notes are covered under a shelf registration filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on December 16, 2009. The proceeds are being used for general corporate purposes, including repayment of short-term borrowings and financing acquisitions.
	Short-term borrowings. At December 31, 2014, borrowings outstanding under the domestic commercial paper program totaled $625,860 and were included in Short-term borrowings. The weighted-average interest rate related to these borrowings was 0.3% at December 31, 2014. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, there were no borrowings outstanding under the domestic commercial paper program. Borrowings outstanding under various foreign programs of $53,576, $96,551 and $69,035 at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, were included in Short-term borrowings. The weighted-average interest rate related to these borrowings was 6.0%, 7.8% and 2.8% at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	On September 19, 2012, Sherwin-Williams Luxembourg S.à r.l., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a €95,000 (Euro) five-year revolving credit facility. This facility replaced the existing €97,000 (Euro) credit facility. On June 29, 2012, Sherwin-Williams Canada Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a new CAD 75,000 five-year credit facility which replaced the existing credit facility. On March 18, 2013, the aggregate amount of this credit facility was increased to CAD 150,000. These credit facilities are being used for general corporate purposes, including refinancing indebtedness and for acquisitions.
	On January 30, 2012, the Company entered into a five-year credit agreement, subsequently amended on multiple dates, which gives the Company the right to borrow and to obtain the issuance, renewal, extension and increase of a letter of credit of up to an aggregate availability of $500,000. On April 23, 2012, the Company entered into a five-year credit agreement, subsequently amended on multiple dates, which gives the Company the right to borrow and to obtain the issuance, renewal, extension and increase of a letter of credit up to an aggregate availability of $250,000. On November 14, 2012, the Company entered into a three-year credit agreement, subsequently amended on multiple dates, which gives the Company the right to borrow and to obtain the issuance, renewal, extension and increase of a letter of credit up to an aggregate availability of $250,000. The three credit agreements entered into in 2012 replace prior credit facilities that matured in 2012 and 2011. At December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, there were no borrowings outstanding under any of these credit agreements.
	The Company uses a revolving credit agreement primarily to satisfy its commercial paper program’s dollar for dollar liquidity requirement. On July 8, 2011, the Company entered into a five-year $1.05 billion revolving credit agreement. The credit agreement allows the Company to extend the maturity of the facility with two one-year extension options and to increase the aggregate amount of the facility to $1.30 billion, both of which are subject to the discretion of each lender.

Other_Longterm_Liabilities

Other Long-term Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Environmental Remediation Obligations [Abstract]
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES	OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
	The operations of the Company, like those of other companies in our industry, are subject to various domestic and
	foreign environmental laws and regulations. These laws and regulations not only govern current operations and products, but also impose potential liability on the Company for past operations. Management expects environmental laws and regulations to impose increasingly stringent requirements upon the Company and the industry in the future. Management believes that the Company conducts its operations in compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations and has implemented various programs designed to protect the environment and promote continued compliance.
	The Company is involved with environmental investigation and remediation activities at some of its currently and formerly owned sites (including sites which were previously owned and/or operated by businesses acquired by the Company). In addition, the Company, together with other parties, has been designated a potentially responsible party under federal and state environmental protection laws for the investigation and remediation of environmental contamination and hazardous waste at a number of third-party sites, primarily Superfund sites. In general, these laws provide that potentially responsible parties may be held jointly and severally liable for investigation and remediation costs regardless of fault. The Company may be similarly designated with respect to additional third-party sites in the future.
	The Company initially provides for estimated costs of environmental-related activities relating to its past operations and third-party sites for which commitments or clean-up plans have been developed and when such costs can be reasonably estimated based on industry standards and professional judgment. These estimated costs are determined based on currently available facts regarding each site. If the best estimate of costs can only be identified as a range and no specific amount within that range can be determined more likely than any other amount within the range, the minimum of the range is provided. The Company continuously assesses its potential liability for investigation and remediation-related activities and adjusts its environmental-related accruals as information becomes available upon which more accurate costs can be reasonably estimated and as additional accounting guidelines are issued. Included in Other long-term liabilities at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were accruals for extended environmental-related activities of $114,281, $86,647 and $97,220, respectively. Included in Other accruals at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were accruals for estimated costs of current investigation and remediation activities of $16,868, $15,385 and $17,101, respectively.
	Actual costs incurred may vary from the accrued estimates due to the inherent uncertainties involved including, among others, the number and financial condition of parties involved with respect to any given site, the volumetric contribution which may be attributed to the Company relative to that attributed to other parties, the nature and magnitude of the wastes involved, the various technologies that can be used for remediation and the determination of acceptable remediation with respect to a particular site. If the Company’s future loss contingency is ultimately determined to be at the unaccrued maximum of the estimated range of possible outcomes for every site for which costs can be reasonably estimated, the Company’s accrual for environmental-related activities would be $89,733 higher than the minimum accruals at December 31, 2014.
	Two of the Company’s currently and formerly owned manufacturing sites account for the majority of the accrual for environmental-related activities and the unaccrued maximum of the estimated range of possible outcomes at December 31, 2014. At December 31, 2014, $82,707, or 63.1 percent of the total accrual, related directly to these two sites. In the aggregate unaccrued maximum of $89,733 at December 31, 2014, $57,927, or 64.6 percent, related to the two manufacturing sites. While environmental investigations and remedial actions are in different stages at these sites, additional investigations, remedial actions and monitoring will likely be required at each site.
	Management cannot presently estimate the ultimate potential loss contingencies related to these sites or other less significant sites until such time as a substantial portion of the investigation at the sites is completed and remedial action plans are developed. In the event any future loss contingency significantly exceeds the current amount accrued, the recording of the ultimate liability may result in a material impact on net income for the annual or interim period during which the additional costs are accrued. Management does not believe that any potential liability ultimately attributed to the Company for its environmental-related matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, liquidity, or cash flow due to the extended period of time during which environmental investigation and remediation takes place. An estimate of the potential impact on the Company’s operations cannot be made due to the aforementioned uncertainties.
	Management expects these contingent environmental-related liabilities to be resolved over an extended period of time. Management is unable to provide a more specific time frame due to the indefinite amount of time to conduct investigation activities at any site, the indefinite amount of time to obtain environmental agency approval, as necessary, with respect to investigation and remediation activities, and the indefinite amount of time necessary to conduct remediation activities.
	The Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations Topic of the ASC requires a liability to be recognized for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation if a settlement date and fair value can be reasonably estimated. The Company recognizes a liability for any conditional asset retirement obligation when sufficient information is available to reasonably estimate a settlement date to determine the fair value of such a liability. The Company has identified certain conditional asset retirement obligations at various current and closed manufacturing, distribution and store facilities. These obligations relate primarily to asbestos abatement, hazardous waste Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) closures, well abandonment, transformers and used oil disposals and underground storage tank closures. Using investigative, remediation and disposal methods that are currently available to the Company, the estimated costs of these obligations were accrued and are not significant. The recording of additional liabilities for future conditional asset retirement obligations may result in a material impact on net income for the annual or interim period during which the costs are accrued. Management does not believe that any potential liability ultimately attributed to the Company for its conditional asset retirement obligations will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, liquidity, or cash flow due to the extended period of time over which sufficient information may become available regarding the closure or modification of any one or group of the Company’s facilities. An estimate of the potential impact on the Company’s operations cannot be made due to the aforementioned uncertainties.

Litigation

Litigation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Loss Contingency, Information about Litigation Matters [Abstract]
LITIGATION	LITIGATION
	In the course of its business, the Company is subject to a variety of claims and lawsuits, including, but not limited to, litigation relating to product liability and warranty, personal injury, environmental, intellectual property, commercial, contractual and antitrust claims that are inherently subject to many uncertainties regarding the possibility of a loss to the Company. These uncertainties will ultimately be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur confirming the incurrence of a liability or the reduction of a liability. In accordance with the Contingencies Topic of the ASC, the Company accrues for these contingencies by a charge to income when it is both probable that one or more future events will occur confirming the fact of a loss and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. In the event that the Company’s loss contingency is ultimately determined to be significantly higher than currently accrued, the recording of the additional liability may result in a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, liquidity or financial condition for the annual or interim period during which such additional liability is accrued. In those cases where no accrual is recorded because it is not probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of any such loss cannot be reasonably estimated, any potential liability ultimately determined to be attributable to the Company may result in a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, liquidity or financial condition for the annual or interim period during which such liability is accrued. In those cases where no accrual is recorded or exposure to loss exists in excess of the amount accrued, the Contingencies Topic of the ASC requires disclosure of the contingency when there is a reasonable possibility that a loss or additional loss may have been incurred.
	Lead pigment and lead-based paint litigation. The Company’s past operations included the manufacture and sale of lead pigments and lead-based paints. The Company, along with other companies, is and has been a defendant in a number of legal proceedings, including individual personal injury actions, purported class actions, and actions brought by various counties, cities, school districts and other government-related entities, arising from the manufacture and sale of lead pigments and lead-based paints. The plaintiffs’ claims have been based upon various legal theories, including negligence, strict liability, breach of warranty, negligent misrepresentations and omissions, fraudulent misrepresentations and omissions, concert of action, civil conspiracy, violations of unfair trade practice and consumer protection laws, enterprise liability, market share liability, public nuisance, unjust enrichment and other theories. The plaintiffs seek various damages and relief, including personal injury and property damage, costs relating to the detection and abatement of lead-based paint from buildings, costs associated with a public education campaign, medical monitoring costs and others. The Company has also been a defendant in legal proceedings arising from the manufacture and sale of non-lead-based paints that seek recovery based upon various legal theories, including the failure to adequately warn of potential exposure to lead during surface preparation when using non-lead-based paint on surfaces previously painted with lead-based paint. The Company believes that the litigation brought to date is without merit or subject to meritorious defenses and is vigorously defending such litigation. The Company has not settled any material lead pigment or lead-based paint litigation. The Company expects that additional lead pigment and lead-based paint litigation may be filed against the Company in the future asserting similar or different legal theories and seeking similar or different types of damages and relief.
	Notwithstanding the Company’s views on the merits, litigation is inherently subject to many uncertainties, and the Company ultimately may not prevail. Adverse court rulings or
	determinations of liability, among other factors, could affect the lead pigment and lead-based paint litigation against the Company and encourage an increase in the number and nature of future claims and proceedings. In addition, from time to time, various legislation and administrative regulations have been enacted, promulgated or proposed to impose obligations on present and former manufacturers of lead pigments and lead-based paints respecting asserted health concerns associated with such products or to overturn the effect of court decisions in which the Company and other manufacturers have been successful.
	Due to the uncertainties involved, management is unable to predict the outcome of the lead pigment and lead-based paint litigation, the number or nature of possible future claims and proceedings or the effect that any legislation and/or administrative regulations may have on the litigation or against the Company. In addition, management cannot reasonably determine the scope or amount of the potential costs and liabilities related to such litigation, or resulting from any such legislation and regulations. The Company has not accrued any amounts for such litigation. With respect to such litigation, including the public nuisance litigation, the Company does not believe that it is probable that a loss has occurred, and it is not possible to estimate the range of potential losses as there is no prior history of a loss of this nature and there is no substantive information upon which an estimate could be based. In addition, any potential liability that may result from any changes to legislation and regulations cannot reasonably be estimated. In the event any significant liability is determined to be attributable to the Company relating to such litigation, the recording of the liability may result in a material impact on net income for the annual or interim period during which such liability is accrued. Additionally, due to the uncertainties associated with the amount of any such liability and/or the nature of any other remedy which may be imposed in such litigation, any potential liability determined to be attributable to the Company arising out of such litigation may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, liquidity or financial condition. An estimate of the potential impact on the Company’s results of operations, liquidity or financial condition cannot be made due to the aforementioned uncertainties.
	Public nuisance claim litigation. The Company and other companies are or were defendants in legal proceedings seeking recovery based on public nuisance liability theories, among other theories, brought by the State of Rhode Island, the City of St. Louis, Missouri, various cities and counties in the State of New Jersey, various cities in the State of Ohio and the State of Ohio, the City of Chicago, Illinois, the City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the County of Santa Clara, California and other public entities in the State of California. Except for the Santa Clara County, California proceeding, all of these legal proceedings have been concluded in favor of the Company and other defendants at various stages in the proceedings.
	The proceedings initiated by the State of Rhode Island included two jury trials. At the conclusion of the second trial, the jury returned a verdict finding that (i) the cumulative presence of lead pigment in paints and coatings on buildings in the State of Rhode Island constitutes a public nuisance, (ii) the Company, along with two other defendants, caused or substantially contributed to the creation of the public nuisance and (iii) the Company and two other defendants should be ordered to abate the public nuisance. The Company and two other defendants appealed and, on July 1, 2008, the Rhode Island Supreme Court, among other determinations, reversed the judgment of abatement with respect to the Company and two other defendants. The Rhode Island Supreme Court’s decision reversed the public nuisance liability judgment against the Company on the basis that the complaint failed to state a public nuisance claim as a matter of law.
	The Santa Clara County, California proceeding was initiated in March 2000 in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Santa Clara. In the original complaint, the plaintiffs asserted various claims including fraud and concealment, strict product liability/failure to warn, strict product liability/design defect, negligence, negligent breach of a special duty, public nuisance, private nuisance, and violations of California’s Business and Professions Code. A number of the asserted claims were resolved in favor of the defendants through pre-trial proceedings. The named plaintiffs in the Fourth Amended Complaint, filed on March 16, 2011, are the Counties of Santa Clara, Alameda, Los Angeles, Monterey, San Mateo, Solano and Ventura, the Cities of Oakland and San Diego and the City and County of San Francisco. The Fourth Amended Complaint asserted a sole claim for public nuisance, alleging that the presence of lead pigments for use in paint and coatings in, on and around residences in the plaintiffs’ jurisdictions constitutes a public nuisance. The plaintiffs sought the abatement of the alleged public nuisance that exists within the plaintiffs’ jurisdictions. A trial commenced on July 15, 2013 and ended on August 22, 2013. The court entered final judgment on January 27, 2014, finding in favor of the plaintiffs and against the Company and two other defendants (ConAgra Grocery Products Company and NL Industries, Inc.). The final judgment held the Company jointly and severally liable with the other two defendants to pay $1.15 billion into a fund to abate the public nuisance. The Company strongly disagrees with the judgment.
	On February 18, 2014, the Company filed a motion for new trial and a motion to vacate the judgment. The court denied these motions on March 24, 2014. On March 28, 2014, the Company filed a notice of appeal to the Sixth District Court of Appeal for the State of California. The filing of the notice of appeal effects an automatic stay of the judgment without the requirement to post a bond. The Company believes that the judgment conflicts with established principles of law and is unsupported by the evidence. The Company has had a favorable history with respect to lead pigment and lead-based paint litigation, particularly other public nuisance litigation, and accordingly, the Company believes that it is not probable that a loss has occurred and it is not possible to estimate the range of potential loss with respect to the case.
	Litigation seeking damages from alleged personal injury. The Company and other companies are defendants in a number of legal proceedings seeking monetary damages and other relief from alleged personal injuries. These proceedings include claims by children allegedly injured from ingestion of lead pigment or lead-containing paint and claims for damages allegedly incurred by the children’s parents or guardians. These proceedings generally seek compensatory and punitive damages, and seek other relief including medical monitoring costs. These proceedings include purported claims by individuals, groups of individuals and class actions.
	The plaintiff in Thomas v. Lead Industries Association, et al., initiated an action in state court against the Company, other alleged former lead pigment manufacturers and the Lead Industries Association in September 1999. The claims against the Company and the other defendants included strict liability, negligence, negligent misrepresentation and omissions, fraudulent misrepresentation and omissions, concert of action, civil conspiracy and enterprise liability. Implicit within these claims is the theory of “risk contribution” liability (Wisconsin’s theory which is similar to market share liability, except that liability can be joint and several) due to the plaintiff’s inability to identify the manufacturer of any product that allegedly injured the plaintiff. The case ultimately proceeded to trial and, on November 5, 2007, the jury returned a defense verdict, finding that the plaintiff had ingested white lead carbonate, but was not brain damaged or injured as a result. The plaintiff appealed and, on December 16, 2010, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals affirmed the final judgment in favor of the Company and other defendants.
	Wisconsin is the only jurisdiction to date to apply a theory of liability with respect to alleged personal injury (i.e., risk contribution/market share liability) that does not require the plaintiff to identify the manufacturer of the product that allegedly injured the plaintiff in the lead pigment and lead-based paint litigation. Although the risk contribution liability theory was applied during the Thomas trial, the constitutionality of this theory as applied to the lead pigment cases has not been judicially determined by the Wisconsin state courts. However, in an unrelated action filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Gibson v. American Cyanamid, et al., on November 15, 2010, the District Court held that Wisconsin’s risk contribution theory as applied in that case violated the defendants’ right to substantive due process and is unconstitutionally retroactive. The District Court's decision in Gibson v. American Cyanamid, et al., was appealed by the plaintiff to the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. On July 24, 2014, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit reversed the judgment and remanded the case back to the District Court for further proceedings. On January 16, 2015, the defendants filed a petition for certiorari in the United States Supreme Court seeking that Court's review of the Seventh Circuit’s decision. Also, in Yasmine Clark v. The Sherwin-Williams Company, et al., the Wisconsin Circuit Court, Milwaukee County, on March 25, 2014, held that the application to a pending case of Section 895.046 of the Wisconsin Statutes (which clarifies the application of the risk contribution theory) is unconstitutional as a violation of the plaintiff’s right to due process of law under the Wisconsin Constitution. On April 8, 2014, defendants filed a petition requesting the Wisconsin Court of Appeal to hear the issue as an interlocutory appeal. On August 21, 2014, the Wisconsin Court of Appeal granted defendants' petition.
	Insurance coverage litigation. The Company and its liability insurers, including certain underwriters at Lloyd’s of London, initiated legal proceedings against each other to primarily determine, among other things, whether the costs and liabilities associated with the abatement of lead pigment are covered under certain insurance policies issued to the Company. The Company’s action, filed on March 3, 2006 in the Common Pleas Court, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, is currently stayed and inactive. The liability insurers’ action, which was filed on February 23, 2006 in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, has been dismissed. An ultimate loss in the insurance coverage litigation would mean that insurance proceeds could be unavailable under the policies at issue to mitigate any ultimate abatement related costs and liabilities. The Company has not recorded any assets related to these insurance policies or otherwise assumed that proceeds from these insurance policies would be received in estimating any contingent liability accrual. Therefore, an ultimate loss in the insurance coverage litigation without a determination of liability against the Company in the lead pigment or lead-based paint litigation will have no impact on
	the Company’s results of operation, liquidity or financial condition. As previously stated, however, the Company has not accrued any amounts for the lead pigment or lead-based paint litigation and any significant liability ultimately determined to be attributable to the Company relating to such litigation may result in a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, liquidity or financial condition for the annual or interim period during which such liability is accrued.
	Department of Labor (DOL) leveraged ESOP settlement. On February 20, 2013, the Company reached a settlement with the DOL of the DOL's investigation of transactions related to the Company's ESOP that were implemented on August 1, 2006 and August 27, 2003. The DOL had notified the Company, among others, of potential enforcement claims asserting breaches of fiduciary obligations and sought compensatory and equitable remedies. The Company resolved all ESOP related claims with the DOL by agreeing, in part, to make a one-time payment of $80,000 to the ESOP, resulting in a $49,163 after tax charge to earnings in the fourth quarter of 2012. The Company made this required $80,000 payment to the ESOP during the first quarter of 2013.
	Government tax assessment settlements related to Brazilian operations. Charges totaling $28,711 and $2,873 were recorded to Cost of goods sold and SG&A, respectively, during the second and third quarters of 2013. The charges were primarily related to import duty taxes paid to the Brazilian government related to the handling of import duties on products brought into the country for the years 2006 through 2012. The Company elected to pay the taxes through an existing voluntary amnesty program offered by the government to resolve these issues rather than contest them in court. The after-tax charges were $21,858 for the full year 2013. The Company's import duty process in Brazil was changed to reach a final resolution of this matter with the Brazilian government.
	Litigation related to Consorcio Comex. As previously disclosed, the Company entered into a definitive Stock Purchase Agreement (as subsequently amended and restated, the “Purchase Agreement”), with Avisep, S.A. de C.V. (“Avisep”) and Bevisep, S.A. de C.V. (“Bevisep”) to, among other things, acquire the Mexico business of Consorcio Comex, S.A. de C.V. (the "Acquisition"). Under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, either the Company or Avisep and Bevisep had the right to terminate the Purchase Agreement in the event that the closing of the Acquisition did not occur on or prior to March 31, 2014 and such party was not in material breach of the Purchase Agreement.
	On April 3, 2014, the Company sent notice to Avisep and Bevisep that the Company was terminating the Purchase Agreement. On April 3, 2014, the Company filed a complaint for declaratory judgment in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, requesting the court to declare that the Company had used commercially reasonable efforts as required under the Purchase Agreement and has not breached the Purchase Agreement. On August 7, 2014, the case was removed by Avisep and Bevisep to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. On April 11, 2014, Avisep and Bevisep initiated an arbitration proceeding against the Company in the International Court of Arbitration contending that the Company breached the Purchase Agreement by terminating the Purchase Agreement and not utilizing commercially reasonable efforts under the Purchase Agreement, which allegedly caused Avisep and Bevisep to incur damages. The Company believes that the claims are without merit and intends to vigorously defend against such claims.
	Titanium dioxide suppliers antitrust class action lawsuit. The Company is a member of the plaintiff class related to Titanium Dioxide Antitrust Litigation that was initiated in 2010 against certain suppliers alleging various theories of relief arising from purchases of titanium dioxide made from 2003 through 2012. The Court approved a settlement less attorney fees and expense, and the Company timely submitted claims to recover its pro-rata portion of the settlement. There was no specified deadline for the claims administrator to complete the review of all claims submitted. In October 2014, the Company was notified that it would receive a disbursement of settlement funds, and the Company received a pro-rata disbursement net of all fees of approximately $21,420. The Company recorded this settlement gain in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Capital_Stock

Capital Stock	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
CAPITAL STOCK	CAPITAL STOCK
	At December 31, 2014, there were 300,000,000 shares of common stock and 30,000,000 shares of serial preferred stock authorized for issuance. Of the authorized serial preferred stock, 3,000,000 shares are designated as cumulative redeemable serial preferred and 1,000,000 shares are designated as convertible serial preferred stock. See Note 11. Under the amended and restated 2006 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan (2006 Employee Plan), 19,200,000 common shares may be issued or transferred. See Note 12. An aggregate of 10,304,816, 12,121,210 and 13,558,565 shares of common stock at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, were reserved for future grants of restricted stock and the exercise and future grants of option rights. See Note 12. Common shares outstanding shown in the following table included 487,075, 486,138 and 484,872 shares of common stock held in a revocable trust at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012,
	respectively. The revocable trust is used to accumulate assets for the purpose of funding the ultimate obligation of certain non-qualified benefit plans. Transactions between the Company and the trust are accounted for in accordance with the Deferred Compensation – Rabbi Trusts Subtopic of the Compensation Topic of the ASC, which requires the assets held by the trust be consolidated with the Company’s accounts.
		Common Shares	Common Shares
		in Treasury	Outstanding
	Balance at January 1, 2012	3,601,159	103,854,234
	Shares tendered as payment for option rights exercised	7,766	(7,766	)
	Shares issued for exercise of option rights		4,140,822
	Shares tendered in connection with grants of restricted stock	143,979	(143,979	)
	Net shares issued for grants of restricted stock		26,756
	Treasury stock purchased	4,600,000	(4,600,000	)
	Balance at December 31, 2012	8,352,904	103,270,067
	Shares tendered as payment for option rights exercised	2,697	(2,697	)
	Shares issued for exercise of option rights		1,127,942
	Shares tendered in connection with grants of restricted stock	116,897	(116,897	)
	Net shares issued for grants of restricted stock		150,965
	Treasury stock purchased	4,300,000	(4,300,000	)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	12,772,498	100,129,380
	Shares tendered as payment for option rights exercised	7,229	(7,229	)
	Shares issued for exercise of option rights		1,423,395
	Shares tendered in connection with grants of restricted stock	108,352	(108,352	)
	Net shares issued for grants of restricted stock		191,979
	Treasury stock purchased	6,925,000	(6,925,000	)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	19,813,079	94,704,173

Stock_Purchase_Plan_and_Prefer

Stock Purchase Plan and Preferred Stock	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Stock Purchase Plan and Preferred Stock [Abstract]
STOCK PURCHASE PLAN AND PREFERRED STOCK	STOCK PURCHASE PLAN AND PREFERRED STOCK
	As of December 31, 2014, 33,958 employees contributed to the Company’s ESOP, a voluntary defined contribution plan available to all eligible salaried employees. Participants are allowed to contribute, on a pretax or after-tax basis, up to the lesser of twenty percent of their annual compensation or the maximum dollar amount allowed under the Internal Revenue Code. The Company matches one hundred percent of all contributions up to six percent of eligible employee contributions. Such participant contributions may be invested in a variety of investment funds or a Company common stock fund and may be exchanged between investments as directed by the participant. Participants are permitted to diversify both future and prior Company matching contributions previously allocated to the Company common stock fund into a variety of investment funds.
	The Company made contributions to the ESOP on behalf of participating employees, representing amounts authorized by employees to be withheld from their earnings, of $109,036, $97,381 and $88,363 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company’s matching contributions to the ESOP charged to operations were $74,574, $67,428 and $142,791 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The 2012 Company contributions include $80,000 related to the DOL Settlement. See Note 9 for additional information on the DOL Settlement.
	At December 31, 2014, there were 12,456,468 shares of the Company’s common stock being held by the ESOP, representing 13.2 percent of the total number of voting shares outstanding. Shares of Company common stock credited to each member’s account under the ESOP are voted by the trustee under instructions from each individual plan member. Shares for which no instructions are received are voted by the trustee in the same proportion as those for which instructions are received.
	On August 1, 2006, the Company issued 500,000 shares of convertible serial preferred stock, no par value (Series 2 Preferred stock) with cumulative quarterly dividends of $11.25 per share, for $500,000 to the ESOP. The ESOP financed the acquisition of the Series 2 Preferred stock by borrowing $500,000 from the Company at the rate of 5.5 percent per annum. This borrowing was payable over ten years in equal quarterly installments. Each share of Series 2 Preferred stock was entitled to one vote upon all matters presented to the Company’s shareholders and generally voted with the common stock together as one class. The Series 2 Preferred stock was held by the ESOP in an unallocated account. As the value of compensation expense related to contributions to the ESOP was earned, the Company
	had the option of funding the ESOP by redeeming a portion of the preferred stock or with cash. Contributions were credited to the members’ accounts at the time of funding. The Series 2 Preferred stock was redeemable for cash or convertible into common stock or any combination thereof at the option of the ESOP based on the relative fair value of the Series 2 Preferred and common stock at the time of conversion. At December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, there were no allocated or committed-to-be released shares of Series 2 Preferred stock outstanding. In 2013 and 2012, the Company redeemed for cash 60,681 and 59,187 shares of Series 2 Preferred stock, respectively. The fair value of the Series 2 Preferred stock is based on a conversion/redemption formula outlined in the preferred stock terms. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the fair value of the Series 2 Preferred stock was $86,309 and $210,773, respectively. In 2014, the Company redeemed for cash the remaining 40,406 shares of Series 2 Preferred stock.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
	The amended and restated 2006 Employee Plan authorizes the Board of Directors, or a committee of the Board of Directors, to issue or transfer up to an aggregate of 19,200,000 shares of common stock, plus any shares relating to awards that expire, are forfeited or canceled. The Employee Plan permits the granting of option rights, appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares and performance units to eligible employees. At December 31, 2014, no appreciation rights, performance shares or performance units had been granted under the 2006 Employee Plan.
	The 2006 Stock Plan for Nonemployee Directors (Nonemployee Director Plan) authorizes the Board of Directors, or a committee of the Board of Directors, to issue or transfer up to an aggregate of 200,000 shares of common stock, plus any shares relating to awards that expire, are forfeited or are canceled. The Nonemployee Director Plan permits the granting of option rights, appreciation rights, restricted stock and restricted stock units to members of the Board of Directors who are not employees of the Company. At December 31, 2014, no option rights, appreciation rights or restricted stock units had been granted under the Nonemployee Director Plan.
	The cost of the Company’s stock-based compensation is recorded in accordance with the Stock Compensation Topic of the ASC. The tax benefits associated with these share-based payments are classified as financing activities in the Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows.
	At December 31, 2014, the Company had total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense of $76,099 that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.00 year. Stock-based compensation expense during 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $64,735, $58,004 and $54,348, respectively. The Company recognized a total income tax benefit related to stock-based compensation expense of $24,816, $22,368 and $20,948 during 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The impact of total stock-based compensation expense, net of taxes, on net income reduced Basic and Diluted net income per common share by $.41 and $.40 during 2014, respectively.
	Option rights. The fair value of the Company’s option rights was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions for all options granted:
		2014		2013		2012
	Risk-free interest rate	1.47%		1.37%		0.78%
	Expected life of option rights	5.10 years		5.10 years		5.11 years
	Expected dividend yield	1.19%		1.32%		1.43%
	of stock
	Expected volatility of stock	0.223		0.281		0.274
	The risk-free interest rate is based upon the U.S. Treasury yield curve at the time of grant. The expected life of option rights was calculated using a scenario analysis model. Historical data was used to aggregate the holding period from actual exercises, post-vesting cancellations and hypothetical assumed exercises on all outstanding option rights. The expected dividend yield of stock is the Company’s best estimate of the expected future dividend yield. Expected volatility of stock was calculated using historical and implied volatilities. The Company applied an estimated forfeiture rate of 2.60 percent to the 2014 grants. This rate was calculated based upon historical activity and is an estimate of granted shares not expected to vest. If actual forfeitures differ from the expected rate, the Company may be required to make additional adjustments to compensation expense in future periods.
	Grants of option rights for non-qualified and incentive stock options have been awarded to certain officers, key employees and nonemployee directors under the 2006 Employee Plan and the 2003 Stock Plan. The option rights generally become exercisable to the extent of one-third of the optioned shares for each full year following the date of grant and generally expire ten years after the date of grant. Unrecognized compensation expense with respect to option rights granted to eligible employees amounted to $39,413 at December 31, 2014. The unrecognized compensation expense is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the three-year vesting period and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.03 years.
	The weighted-average per share grant date fair value of options granted during 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, was $43.11, $41.91 and $32.74. The total intrinsic value of exercised option rights for employees was $195,097, $129,742 and $298,883, and for nonemployee directors was $0, $525 and $1,412 during 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The total fair value of options vested during the year was $32,313, $28,658 and $25,879 during 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. There
	were no outstanding option rights for nonemployee directors for 2014 and 2013. The outstanding option rights for nonemployee directors were 3,500 for 2012. The Company issues new shares upon exercise of option rights or granting of restricted stock.
	A summary of the Company’s non-qualified and incentive stock option right activity for employees and nonemployee directors, and related information for the years ended December 31 is shown in the following table:
		2014										2013						2012
		Optioned			Weighted-				Aggregate			Optioned		Weighted-		Aggregate		Optioned		Weighted-		Aggregate
		Shares			Average				Intrinsic			Shares		Average		Intrinsic		Shares		Average		Intrinsic
					Exercise				Value					Exercise		Value				Exercise		Value
					Price									Price						Price
					Per Share									Per Share						Per Share
	Outstanding beginning	6,484,592			$	96.25						6,748,126		$	79.39			9,857,695		$	60.31
	of year
	Granted	672,565			224.65							898,728		179.67				1,089,240		152.93
	Exercised	(1,421,045	)		70.71							(1,127,942	)	61.46				(4,140,822	)	53.4
	Forfeited	(31,617	)		158.92							(33,278	)	115.24				(57,730	)	78.01
	Expired	(4,603	)		86.66							(1,042	)	79.73				(257	)	72.65
	Outstanding end of year	5,699,892			$	117.31			$	830,647		6,484,592		$	96.25	$	563,554	6,748,126		$	79.39	$	494,699
	Exercisable at end of year	4,095,246			$	87.79			$	717,691		4,424,674		$	71.86	$	492,689	4,245,891		$	61.43	$	386,484
	The weighted-average remaining term for options outstanding at the end of 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, was 6.57, 6.75 and 6.99 years. The weighted-average remaining term for options exercisable at the end of 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, was 5.63, 5.71 and 5.79 years. Shares reserved for future grants of option rights and restricted stock were 4,604,924, 5,636,618 and 6,810,439 at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Restricted stock. Grants of restricted stock, which generally require three years of continuous employment from the date of grant before vesting and receiving the stock without restriction, have been awarded to certain officers and key employees under the 2006 Employee Plan. The February 2014, 2013 and 2012 grants consisted of a combination of performance-based awards and time-based awards. The performance-based awards vest at the end of a three-year period based on the Company’s achievement of specified financial goals relating to earnings per share. The time-based awards vest at the end of a three-year period based on continuous employment. Unrecognized compensation expense with respect to grants of restricted stock to eligible employees amounted to $35,519 at December 31, 2014 and is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.93 years.
	Grants of restricted stock have been awarded to nonemployee directors under the Nonemployee Plan. These grants generally vest and stock is received without restriction to the extent of one-third of the granted stock for each year following the date of grant. Unrecognized compensation expense with respect to grants of restricted stock to nonemployee directors amounted to $1,167 at December 31, 2014 and is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the three-year vesting period and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.93 years.
	A summary of grants of restricted stock to certain officers, key employees and nonemployee directors during each year is as follows:
		2014				2013				2012
	Restricted stock granted	201,412				172,406				301,856
	Weighted-average per share	$	191.6			$	163.63			$	99.47
	fair value of restricted stock
	granted during the year
	A summary of the Company’s restricted stock activity for the years ended December 31 is shown in the following table:
		2014			2013			2012
	Outstanding at beginning	749,382			919,748			1,304,891
	of year
	Granted	201,412			172,406			301,856
	Vested	(294,438	)		(334,750	)		(412,859	)
	Forfeited	(1,080	)		(8,022	)		(274,140	)
	Outstanding at end of year	655,276			749,382			919,748

Other

Other	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
OTHER	OTHER
	Other general expense - net. Included in Other general expense - net were the following:
		2014			2013			2012
	Provisions for environmental	$	36,046		$	(2,751	)	$	6,736
	matters - net
	Loss on disposition of assets	1,436			5,207			3,454
	Net expense (income) of exit or disposal activities				63			(4,942		)
	Total	$	37,482		$	2,519		$	5,248
	Provisions for environmental matters–net represent initial provisions for site-specific estimated costs of environmental investigation or remediation and increases or decreases to environmental-related accruals as information becomes available upon which more accurate costs can be reasonably estimated and as additional accounting guidelines are issued. Environmental-related accruals are not recorded net of insurance proceeds in accordance with the Offsetting Subtopic of the Balance Sheet Topic of the ASC. See Note 8 for further details on the Company’s environmental-related activities.
	The loss on disposition of assets represents net realized losses associated with the disposal of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets previously used in the conduct of the primary business of the Company.
	The net expense (income) of exit or disposal activities includes changes to accrued qualified exit costs as information becomes available upon which more accurate amounts can be reasonably estimated, initial impairments of carrying value and additional impairments for subsequent reductions in estimated fair value of property, plant and equipment held for disposal. See Note 5 for further details on the Company’s exit or disposal activities.
	Other (income) expense - net. Included in Other (income) expense - net were the following:
		2014			2013			2012
	Dividend and royalty income	$	(4,864	)	$	(5,904	)	$	(4,666	)
	Net expense from	11,367			9,829			9,220
	financing activities
	Foreign currency transaction related losses (gains)	3,603			7,669			(3,071		)
	Other income	(37,524		)	(22,684		)	(21,074		)
	Other expense	12,018			12,026			9,651
	Total	$	(15,400	)	$	936		$	(9,940	)
	The Net expense from financing activities includes the net expense relating to changes in the Company’s financing fees.
	Foreign currency transaction related losses (gains) represent net realized losses (gains) on U.S. dollar-denominated liabilities of foreign subsidiaries and net realized and unrealized losses (gains) from foreign currency option and forward contracts. There were no material foreign currency option and forward contracts outstanding at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
	Other income and Other expense included items of revenue, gains, expenses and losses that were unrelated to the primary business purpose of the Company. Other income for the year ended December 31, 2014 included a $6,336 gain on the early termination of a customer agreement recorded in the Global Finishes Group and a $6,198 realized gain resulting from final asset valuations related to the acquisition of the U.S./Canada business of Comex recorded in the Administrative segment. There were no other items within Other income or Other expense that were individually significant.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES
	Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes using the enacted tax rates and laws that are currently in effect. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
		2014				2013				2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Exit costs, environ-mental and other	$	56,441			$	45,322			$	45,403
	similar items
	Deferred employee	55,765				32,600				93,039
	benefit items
	Other items (each	85,841				53,727				73,388
	less than 5 percent
	of total assets)
	Total deferred	$	198,047			$	131,649			$	211,830
	tax assets
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Depreciation and	$	227,765			$	214,696			$	202,891
	amortization
	Netted against the Company’s other deferred tax assets were valuation allowances of $1,725, $7,390 and $11,474 at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These reserves resulted from the uncertainty as to the realization of the tax benefits from foreign net operating losses and other foreign assets. The Company has $30,750 of domestic net operating loss carryforwards acquired through acquisitions that have expiration dates through the tax year 2037 and foreign net operating losses of $60,943. The foreign net operating losses are related to various jurisdictions that provide for both indefinite carryforward periods and others with carryforward periods that range from the tax years 2019 to 2034.
	Significant components of the provisions for income taxes were as follows:
		2014				2013				2012
	Current:
	Federal	$	308,283			$	229,997			$	207,791
	Foreign	53,045				42,543				51,264
	State and local	50,049				33,082				27,642
	Total current	411,377				305,622				286,697
	Deferred:
	Federal	(14,974		)		30,384				8,692
	Foreign	(7,361		)		(9,041		)		(16,964		)
	State and local	3,297				6,432				(2,150		)
	Total deferred	(19,038		)		27,775				(10,422		)
	Total provisions for	$	392,339			$	333,397			$	276,275
	income taxes
	The provisions for income taxes included estimated taxes payable on that portion of retained earnings of foreign subsidiaries expected to be received by the Company. The effect of the repatriation provisions of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 and the provisions of the Income Taxes Topic of the ASC, was $(1,887) in 2014, $4,411 in 2013 and $7,572 in 2012. A provision was not made with respect to $3,683 of retained earnings at December 31, 2014 that have been invested by foreign subsidiaries. The unrecognized deferred tax liability related to those earnings is approximately $539.
	Significant components of income before income taxes as used for income tax purposes, were as follows:
		2014				2013				2012
	Domestic	$	1,113,527			$	969,790			$	712,873
	Foreign	144,698				116,168				194,436
		$	1,258,225			$	1,085,958			$	907,309
	A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective tax rate follows:
		2014			2013			2012
	Statutory federal	35	%		35	%		35	%
	income tax rate
	Effect of:
	State and local	2.8			2.4			1.8
	income taxes
	Investment vehicles	(2.5	)		(2.1	)		(2.1	)
	Domestic production	(2.5	)		(2.2	)		(1.9	)
	activities
	Other - net	(1.6	)		(2.4	)		(2.4	)
	Effective tax rate	31.2	%		30.7	%		30.4	%
	The 2014 state and local income tax component of the effective tax rate increased compared to 2013 primarily due to an increase in domestic income before income taxes in 2014 compared to 2013. The tax benefit related to investment vehicles increased in 2014 compared to 2013 due to an increase in income tax credits recognized and the favorable impact of the Company's capital position in these investments. The domestic production activities component of the effective tax rate increased due to an increase in qualified production activities income as well as an increase in domestic taxable income in 2014 compared to 2013.
	The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various state and foreign jurisdictions. The IRS commenced an examination of the Company's U.S. income tax returns for the 2010, 2011 and 2012 tax years in the fourth quarter of 2013. Fieldwork is expected to be completed during 2015. At this time, the Company has determined that an insignificant refund is due for issues under
	review during this audit period. The refunds relate to tax credits not recognized on the returns when initially filed and the reversal of adjustments made to depreciation in prior audit cycles.
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company is subject to non-U.S. income tax examinations for the tax years of 2007 through 2014. In addition, the Company is subject to state and local income tax examinations for the tax years 2004 through 2014.
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
		2014				2013				2012
	Balance at beginning	$	30,997			$	28,119			$	29,666
	of year
	Additions based on	3,370				3,480				3,760
	tax positions related
	to the current year
	Additions for tax	4,428				5,059				7,392
	positions of prior
	years
	Reductions for tax	(2,349		)		(3,378		)		(6,583		)
positions of prior
years
Settlements	(4,089		)		(103		)		(1,139		)
Lapses of Statutes	(797		)		(2,180		)		(4,977		)
of Limitations
Balance at end of year	$	31,560			$	30,997			$	28,119
Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is $28,208, $27,767 and $25,011 in unrecognized tax benefits, the recognition of which would have an effect on the effective tax rate.
Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2014 is $4,372 related to tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts could significantly change during the next twelve months. This amount represents a decrease in unrecognized tax benefits comprised primarily of items related to federal audits of partnership investments, assessed state income tax audits, federal and state settlement negotiations currently in progress and expiring statutes in federal, foreign and state jurisdictions.
The Company classifies all income tax related interest and penalties as income tax expense. During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, there was an increase in income tax interest and penalties of $2,144 and $103, respectively. In the 2012 tax year, there was a release of $1,532. At December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company accrued $5,732, $6,246 and $6,178, respectively, for the potential payment of interest and penalties.

Net_Income_Per_Common_Share

Net Income Per Common Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE	NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE
		2014			2013			2012
	Basic
	Average common shares outstanding	96,190,101			100,897,512			101,714,901
	Net income	$	865,887		$	752,561		$	631,034
	Less net income allocated to unvested restricted shares	(4,892		)	(4,596		)	(5,114		)
	Net income allocated to common shares	$	860,995		$	747,965		$	625,920
	Net income per common share	$	8.95		$	7.41		$	6.15
	Diluted
	Average common shares outstanding	96,190,101			100,897,512			101,714,901
	Stock options and other contingently issuable shares (a)	1,885,334			2,151,359			2,215,528
	Average common shares outstanding assuming dilution	98,075,435			103,048,871			103,930,429
	Net income	$	865,887		$	752,561		$	631,034
	Less net income allocated to unvested restricted shares	(4,804		)	(4,509		)	(5,008		)
	assuming dilution
	Net income allocated to common shares assuming dilution	$	861,083		$	748,052		$	626,026
	Net income per common share	$	8.78		$	7.26		$	6.02
	(a)	Stock options and other contingently issuable shares excludes 608,477, 842,354 and 1,047,734 shares at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, due to their anti-dilutive effect.
	The Company has two classes of participating securities: common shares and restricted shares, representing 99% and 1% of outstanding shares, respectively. The restricted shares are shares of unvested restricted stock granted under the Company’s restricted stock award program. Unvested restricted shares granted prior to April 21, 2010 received non-forfeitable dividends. Accordingly, the shares are considered a participating security and the two-class method of calculating basic and diluted earnings per share is required. Effective April 21, 2010, the restricted stock award program was revised and dividends on performance-based restricted shares granted after this date are deferred and payment is contingent upon the awards vesting. Only the time-based restricted shares, which continue to receive non-forfeitable dividends, are considered a participating security. Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated using the two-class method in accordance with the Earnings Per Share Topic of the ASC.

Summary_of_Quarterly_Results_o

Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS	SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
		2014
		1st Quarter		2nd Quarter		3rd Quarter		4th Quarter		Full Year
	Net sales	$	2,366,556	$	3,042,995	$	3,150,570	$	2,569,412	$	11,129,533
	Gross profit	1,065,901		1,409,653		1,470,955		1,217,975		5,164,484
	Net income	115,457		291,447		326,240		132,743		865,887
	Net income per common share - basic	1.16		3		3.42		1.4		8.95
	Net income per common share - diluted	1.14		2.94		3.35		1.37		8.78
	Net income in the fourth quarter was increased by inventory adjustments. Gross profit increased by $21,077 ($.13 per share), primarily as a result of adjustments based on an annual physical inventory count performed during the fourth quarter, year-end inventory levels and related cost adjustments. Gross profit was also increased by $21,420 ($.13 a share) as a result of the TiO2 settlement. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $14,141 ($.09 a share) related to compensation and benefit expense adjustments. Other general expense net was increased by $25,012 ($.16 a share) as a result of provision for environmental related matters - net.
		2013
		1st Quarter		2nd Quarter		3rd Quarter		4th Quarter		Full Year
	Net sales	$	2,167,168	$	2,713,889	$	2,847,417	$	2,457,058	$	10,185,532
	Gross profit	962,851		1,233,579		1,295,958		1,124,178		4,616,566
	Net income	116,185		257,287		262,966		116,123		752,561
	Net income per common share - basic	1.13		2.51		2.61		1.16		7.41
	Net income per common share - diluted	1.11		2.46		2.55		1.14		7.26
	Net income in the fourth quarter was increased by inventory adjustments. Gross profit increased by $14,938 ($.09 per share), primarily as a result of adjustments based on an annual physical inventory count performed during the fourth quarter, year-end inventory levels and related cost adjustments.
	.

Operating_Leases

Operating Leases	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Leases [Abstract]
OPERATING LEASES	OPERATING LEASES
	The Company leases certain stores, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, office space and equipment. Renewal options are available on the majority of leases and, under certain conditions, options exist to purchase certain properties. Rental expense for operating leases, recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term in accordance with the Leases Topic of the ASC was $376,914, $327,592 and $310,109 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Certain store leases require the payment of contingent rentals based on sales in excess of specified minimums. Contingent rentals included in rent expense were $52,379, $44,084 and $39,340 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Rental income, as lessor, from real estate leasing activities and sublease rental income for all years presented was
	not significant. The following schedule summarizes the future minimum lease payments under noncancellable operating leases having initial or remaining terms in excess of one year at December 31, 2014:
	2015	$	296,875
	2016	254,608
	2017	204,898
	2018	156,495
	2019	113,968
	Later years	287,929
	Total minimum lease payments	$	1,314,773

Reportable_Segment_Information

Reportable Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
REPORTABLE SEGMENT INFORMATION	REPORTABLE SEGMENT INFORMATION
	The Company reports its segment information in the same way that management internally organizes its business for assessing performance and making decisions regarding allocation of resources in accordance with the Segment Reporting Topic of the ASC. The Company has determined that it has four reportable operating segments: Paint Stores Group, Consumer Group, Global Finishes Group and Latin America Coatings Group (individually, a "Reportable Segment" and collectively, the “Reportable Segments”). Factors considered in determining the four Reportable Segments of the Company include the nature of business activities, the management structure directly accountable to the Company’s chief operating decision maker (CODM) for operating and administrative activities, availability of discrete financial information and information presented to the Board of Directors. The Company reports all other business activities and immaterial operating segments that are not reportable in the Administrative segment. See pages 6 through 15 of this report for more information about the Reportable Segments.
	The Company’s CODM has been identified as the Chief Executive Officer because he has final authority over performance assessment and resource allocation decisions. Because of the diverse operations of the Company, the CODM regularly receives discrete financial information about each Reportable Segment as well as a significant amount of additional financial information about certain divisions, business units or subsidiaries of the Company. The CODM uses all such financial information for performance assessment and resource allocation decisions. The CODM evaluates the performance of and allocates resources to the Reportable Segments based on profit or loss before income taxes and cash generated from operations. The accounting policies of the Reportable Segments are the same as those described in Note 1 of this report.
	The Paint Stores Group consisted of 4,003 company-operated specialty paint stores in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Maarten, Jamaica, Curacao, Aruba and St. Lucia at December 31, 2014. Each store in this segment is engaged in the related business activity of selling paint, coatings and related products to end-use customers. The Paint Stores Group markets and sells Sherwin-Williams® branded architectural paint and coatings, protective and marine products, OEM product finishes and related items. These products are produced by manufacturing facilities in the Consumer Group. In addition, each store sells selected purchased associated products. The loss of any single customer would not have a material adverse effect on the business of this segment. During 2014, this segment opened 95 net new stores, consisting of 109 new stores opened (95 in the United States, 9 in Canada, 2 in Puerto Rico, 1 in Trinidad, 1 in Jamaica and 1 in St. Lucia) and 14 stores closed (11 in the United States and 3 in Canada). In 2013 and 2012, this segment opened or acquired 388 and 70 net new stores, respectively. A map on the cover flap of this report shows the number of paint stores and their geographic location. The CODM uses discrete financial information about the Paint Stores Group, supplemented with information by geographic region, product type and customer type, to assess performance of and allocate resources to the Paint Stores Group as a whole. In accordance with ASC 280-10-50-9, the Paint Stores Group as a whole is considered the operating segment, and because it meets the criteria in ASC 280-10-50-10, it is also considered a Reportable Segment.
	The Consumer Group develops, manufactures and distributes a variety of paint, coatings and related products to third-party customers primarily in the United States and Canada and the Paint Stores Group. Approximately 66 percent of the total sales of the Consumer Group in 2014 were intersegment transfers of products primarily sold through the Paint Stores Group. Sales and marketing of certain controlled brand and private labeled products is performed by a direct sales staff. The products distributed through third-party customers are intended for resale to the ultimate end-user of the product. The Consumer Group had sales to certain customers that, individually, may be a significant portion of the sales of the segment. However, the loss of any single customer would not have a material adverse effect on the overall profitability of the segment. This segment incurred most of the Company’s capital expenditures related to ongoing environmental compliance measures at sites currently in operation. The CODM uses discrete financial information about the Consumer Group, supplemented with information by product types and customer, to assess performance of and allocate resources to the Consumer Group as a whole. In accordance with ASC 280-10-50-9, the Consumer Group as a whole is considered the operating segment, and because it meets the criteria in ASC 280-10-50-10, it is also considered a Reportable Segment.
	The Global Finishes Group develops, licenses, manufactures, distributes and sells a variety of protective and marine products, automotive finishes and refinish products, OEM product finishes and related products in North and South America, Europe and Asia. This segment meets the demands of its customers for a consistent worldwide product development, manufacturing and distribution presence and approach to doing business. This segment licenses certain technology and trade names worldwide. Sherwin-Williams® and other controlled brand products are distributed through the Paint Stores Group and this segment’s 300 company-operated branches and by a direct sales staff and
	outside sales representatives to retailers, dealers, jobbers, licensees and other third-party distributors. During 2014, this segment opened 1 new branch in the United States and closed 1 branch in the United States resulting in no net change. At December 31, 2014, the Global Finishes Group consisted of operations in the United States, subsidiaries in 34 foreign countries and income from licensing agreements in 16 foreign countries. The CODM uses discrete financial information about the Global Finishes Group reportable segment, supplemented with information about geographic divisions, business units and subsidiaries, to assess performance of and allocate resources to the Global Finishes Group as a whole. In accordance with ASC 280-10-50-9, the Global Finishes Group as a whole is considered the operating segment, and because it meets the criteria in ASC 280-10-50-10, it is also considered a Reportable Segment. A map on the cover flap of this report shows the number of branches and their geographic locations.
	The Latin America Coatings Group develops, licenses, manufactures, distributes and sells a variety of architectural paint and coatings, protective and marine products, OEM product finishes and related products in North and South America. This segment meets the demands of its customers for consistent regional product development, manufacturing and distribution presence and approach to doing business. Sherwin-Williams® and other controlled brand products are distributed through this segment’s 276 company-operated stores and by a direct sales staff and outside sales representatives to retailers, dealers, licensees and other third-party distributors. During 2014, this segment opened 3 new stores in South America and closed 9 (7 in South America and 2 in Mexico) for a net decrease of 6 stores. At December 31, 2014, the Latin America Coatings Group consisted of operations from subsidiaries in 9 foreign countries, 4 foreign joint ventures and income from licensing agreements in 7 foreign countries. The CODM uses discrete financial information about the Latin America Coatings Group, supplemented with information about geographic divisions, business units and subsidiaries, to assess performance of and allocate resources to the Latin America Coatings Group as a whole. In accordance with ASC 280-10-50-9, the Latin America Coatings Group as a whole is considered the operating segment, and because it meets the criteria in ASC 280-10-50-10, it is also considered a Reportable Segment. A map on the cover flap of this report shows the number of stores and their geographic locations.
	The Administrative segment includes the administrative expenses of the Company’s corporate headquarters site. Also included in the Administrative segment was interest expense, interest and investment income, certain expenses related to closed facilities and environmental-related matters, and other expenses which were not directly associated with the Reportable Segments. The Administrative segment did not include any significant foreign operations. Also included in the Administrative segment was a real estate management unit that is responsible for the ownership, management and leasing of non-retail properties held primarily for use by the Company, including the Company’s headquarters site, and disposal of idle facilities. Sales of this segment represented external leasing revenue of excess headquarters space or leasing of facilities no longer used by the Company in its primary businesses. Gains and losses from the sale of property were not a significant operating factor in determining the performance of the Administrative segment.
	Net external sales of all consolidated foreign subsidiaries were $2,203,804, $2,129,626 and $2,049,814 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Segment profit of all consolidated foreign subsidiaries was $115,629, $106,166 and $158,377 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decrease in segment profit in 2013 was primarily due to Brazil tax assessments and unfavorable currency rate changes. Additionally, 2014 segment profit was adversely impacted by unfavorable currency rate changes. Domestic operations accounted for the remaining net external sales and segment profits. Long-lived assets consisted of Property, plant and equipment, Goodwill, Intangible assets, Deferred pension assets and Other assets. The aggregate total of long-lived assets for the Company was $3,139,272, $3,223,790 and, $3,085,499 at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Long-lived assets of consolidated foreign subsidiaries totaled $551,364, $648,908 and $616,869 at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Total Assets of the Company were $5,706,052, $6,382,507 and $6,234,737 at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Total assets of consolidated foreign subsidiaries were $1,359,991, $1,625,422 and $1,598,996, which represented 23.8 percent, 25.5 percent and 25.6 percent of the Company’s total assets at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. No single geographic area outside the United States was significant relative to consolidated net sales or operating profits. Export sales and sales to any individual customer were each less than 10 percent of consolidated sales to unaffiliated customers during all years presented.
	In the reportable segment financial information that follows, Segment profit was total net sales and intersegment transfers less operating costs and expenses. Identifiable assets were those directly identified with each reportable segment. The Administrative segment assets consisted primarily of cash and cash equivalents, investments, deferred pension assets and headquarters property, plant and equipment. The margin for each reportable segment was based upon total net sales
	and intersegment transfers. Domestic intersegment transfers were primarily accounted for at the approximate fully absorbed manufactured cost, based on normal capacity volumes, plus customary distribution costs for paint products. Non-paint domestic and all international intersegment transfers were accounted for at values comparable to normal unaffiliated customer sales. All intersegment transfers are eliminated within the Administrative segment.
	(millions of dollars)	2014
		Paint Stores			Consumer			Global			Latin America			Administrative				Consolidated
		Group			Group			Finishes			Coatings							Totals
								Group			Group
	Net external sales	$	6,852		$	1,421		$	2,081		$	771		$	5			$	11,130
	Intersegment transfers				2,745			8			40			(2,793		)
	Total net sales and	$	6,852		$	4,166		$	2,089		$	811		$	(2,788	)		$	11,130
	intersegment transfers
	Segment profit	$	1,201		$	253		$	201		$	40						$	1,695
	Interest expense													$	(64	)		(64		)
	Administrative expenses and other													(373		)		(373		)
	Income before income taxes	$	1,201		$	253		$	201		$	40		$	(437	)		$	1,258
	Reportable segment margins	17.5		%	6.1		%	9.6		%	4.9		%
	Identifiable assets	$	1,602		$	1,883		$	874		$	427		$	920			$	5,706
	Capital expenditures	87			45			16			8			45				201
	Depreciation	58			48			28			9			26				169
		2013
		Paint Stores			Consumer			Global			Latin America			Administrative				Consolidated
		Group			Group			Finishes			Coatings							Totals
								Group			Group
	Net external sales	$	6,002		$	1,342		$	2,005		$	832		$	5			$	10,186
	Intersegment transfers				2,409			9			39			(2,457		)
	Total net sales and	$	6,002		$	3,751		$	2,014		$	871		$	(2,452	)		$	10,186
	intersegment transfers
	Segment profit	$	991		$	242		$	170		$	39						$	1,442
	Interest expense													$	(63	)		(63		)
	Administrative expenses and other													(293		)		(293		)
	Income before income taxes	$	991		$	242		$	170		$	39		$	(356	)		$	1,086
	Reportable segment margins	16.5		%	6.5		%	8.4		%	4.5		%
	Identifiable assets	$	1,668		$	1,762		$	964		$	485		$	1,504			$	6,383
	Capital expenditures	73			40			15			7			32				167
	Depreciation	55			45			29			10			20				159
		2012
		Paint Stores			Consumer			Global			Latin America			Administrative				Consolidated
		Group			Group			Finishes			Coatings							Totals
								Group			Group
	Net external sales	$	5,410		$	1,322		$	1,961		$	836		$	5			$	9,534
	Intersegment transfers				2,320			7			47			(2,374		)
	Total net sales and	$	5,410		$	3,642		$	1,968		$	883		$	(2,369	)		$	9,534
	intersegment transfers
	Segment profit	$	862		$	217		$	147		$	81						$	1,307
	Interest expense													$	(43	)		(43		)
	Administrative expenses and other													(357		)	(1)	(357		)
	Income before income taxes	$	862		$	217		$	147		$	81		$	(400	)		$	907
	Reportable segment margins	15.9		%	6		%	7.5		%	9.2		%
	Identifiable assets	$	1,374		$	1,701		$	987		$	485		$	1,688			$	6,235
	Capital expenditures	67			47			14			9			20				157
	Depreciation	49			43			30			10			20				152
	(1)	Includes $80 pre-tax charge related to DOL Settlement. See Note 9.

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Consolidation	Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Sherwin-Williams Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, “the Company”). Inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Use of estimates	Use of estimates. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those amounts.
Nature of operations	Nature of operations. The Company is engaged in the development, manufacture, distribution and sale of paint, coatings and related products to professional, industrial, commercial and retail customers primarily in North and South America, with additional operations in the Caribbean region, Europe and Asia.
Cash flows	Cash flows. Management considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Cash and Cash equivalents	Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amounts reported for Cash and cash equivalents approximate fair value.
Short-term investments	Short-term investments: The carrying amounts reported for Short-term investments approximate fair value.
Investments in securities	Investments in securities: Investments classified as available-for-sale are carried at market value. See the recurring fair value measurement table on page 45.
Non-traded investments	Non-traded investments: The Company has invested in the U.S. affordable housing and historic renovation real estate markets. These non-traded investments have been identified as variable interest entities. However, because the Company does not have the power to direct the day-to-day operations of the investments and the risk of loss is limited to the amount of contributed capital, the Company is not considered the primary beneficiary. In accordance with the Consolidation Topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC), the investments are not consolidated. The Company uses the effective yield method to determine the carrying value of the investments. Under the effective yield method, the initial cost of the investments is amortized over the period that the tax credits are recognized.
Short-term borrowings and Long-term debt (including current portion)	Short-term borrowings: The carrying amounts reported for Short-term borrowings approximate fair value.
	Long-term debt (including current portion): The fair values of the Company’s publicly traded debt, shown below, are based on quoted market prices. The fair values of the Company’s non-traded debt, also shown below, are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, based on the Company’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.
Derivative instruments	Derivative instruments: The Company utilizes derivative instruments as part of its overall financial risk management policy. The Company entered into foreign currency option and forward currency exchange contracts with maturity dates of less than twelve months in 2014, 2013 and 2012, primarily to hedge against value changes in foreign currency. See Note 13.
Fair value measurements	Fair value measurements. The following tables summarize the Company’s assets and liabilities measured on a recurring and non-recurring basis in accordance with the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the ASC:
	Assets and Liabilities Reported at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
		Fair Value at		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
		December 31,		Active Markets for		Observable Inputs		Unobservable
		2014		Identical Assets		(Level 2)		Inputs
				(Level 1)				(Level 3)
	Assets:
	Deferred compensation plan asset (a)	$	23,870	$	1,140	$	22,730
	Liabilities:
	Deferred compensation plan liability (b)	$	34,443	$	34,443
	(a)	The deferred compensation plan asset consists of the investment funds maintained for the future payments under the Company’s executive deferred compensation plan, which is structured as a rabbi trust. The investments are marketable securities accounted for under the Debt and Equity Securities Topic of the ASC. The level 1 investments are valued using quoted market prices multiplied by the number of shares. The level 2 investments are valued based on vendor or broker models. The cost basis of the investment funds is $22,715.
	(b)	The deferred compensation plan liability represents the value of the Company’s liability under its deferred compensation plan based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets.
	Assets and Liabilities Reported at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis. Except for the acquisition-related fair value measurements described in Note 2 which qualify as level 2 measurements, there were no assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in 2014.
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts	Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts receivable were recorded at the time of credit sales net of provisions for sales returns and allowances. The Company recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts of $53,770, $54,460 and $47,667 at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, to reduce Accounts receivable to their estimated net realizable value. The allowance was based on an analysis of historical bad debts, a review of the aging of Accounts receivable and the current creditworthiness of customers. Account receivable balances are written-off against the allowance if a final determination of uncollectibility is made. All provisions for allowances for doubtful collection of accounts are related to the creditworthiness of accounts and are included in Selling, general and administrative expenses.
Reserve for obsolescence	Reserve for obsolescence. The Company recorded a reserve for obsolescence of $90,712, $97,523 and $88,356 at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, to reduce Inventories to their estimated net realizable value.
Goodwill	Goodwill. Goodwill represents the cost in excess of fair value of net assets acquired in business combinations accounted for by the purchase method. In accordance with the Impairments Topic of the ASC, goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis and in between annual tests if events or circumstances indicate potential impairment. See Note 4.
Intangible assets	Intangible assets. Intangible assets include trademarks, non-compete covenants and certain intangible property rights. As required by the Goodwill and Other Intangibles Topic of the ASC, indefinite-lived trademarks are not amortized, but instead are tested annually for impairment, and between annual tests whenever an event occurs or circumstances indicate potential impairment. See Note 4. The cost of finite-lived trademarks, non-compete covenants and certain intangible property rights are amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected period of benefit as follows:
		Useful Life
	Finite-lived trademarks	5 years
	Non-compete covenants	3 – 5 years
	Certain intangible property rights	3 – 19 years
Impairment of long-lived assets	Impairment of long-lived assets. In accordance with the Property, Plant and Equipment Topic of the ASC, management evaluates the recoverability and estimated remaining lives of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable or the useful life has changed. See Notes 4 and 5.
Property, plant and equipment	Property, plant and equipment. Property, plant and equipment is stated on the basis of cost. Depreciation is provided by the straight-line method. Depreciation and amortization are included in the appropriate Cost of goods sold or Selling, general and administrative expense caption on the Statements of Consolidated Income. Included in Property, plant and equipment are leasehold improvements. The major classes of assets and ranges of annual depreciation rates are:
	Buildings	2.5% – 20.0%
	Machinery and equipment	5.0% – 20.0%
	Furniture and fixtures	10.0% – 33.3%
	Automobiles and trucks	10.0% – 33.3%
Standby letters of credit	Standby letters of credit. The Company occasionally enters into standby letter of credit agreements to guarantee various operating activities. These agreements provide credit availability to the various beneficiaries if certain contractual events occur.
Product warranties	Product warranties. The Company offers product warranties for certain products. The specific terms and conditions of such warranties vary depending on the product or customer contract requirements. Management estimated the costs of unsettled product warranty claims based on historical results and experience and included an amount in Other accruals. Management periodically assesses the adequacy of the accrual for product warranty claims and adjusts the accrual as necessary.
Environmental matters	Environmental matters. Capital expenditures for ongoing environmental compliance measures were recorded in Property, plant and equipment, and related expenses were included in the normal operating expenses of conducting business. The Company is involved with environmental investigation and remediation activities at some of its currently and formerly owned sites and at a number of third-party sites. The Company accrued for environmental-related activities for which commitments or clean-up plans have been developed and when such costs could be reasonably estimated based on industry standards and professional judgment. All accrued amounts were recorded on an undiscounted basis. Environmental-related expenses included direct costs of investigation and remediation and indirect costs such as compensation and benefits for employees directly involved in the investigation and remediation activities and fees paid to outside engineering, consulting and law firms. See Notes 8 and 13.
Employee Stock Purchase and Savings Plan and preferred stock	Employee Stock Purchase and Savings Plan and preferred stock. The Company accounts for the Employee Stock Purchase and Savings Plan (ESOP) in accordance with the Employee Stock Ownership Plans Subtopic of the Compensation – Stock Ownership Topic of the ASC. The Company recognized compensation expense for amounts contributed to the ESOP, and the ESOP used dividends on unallocated preferred shares to service debt. Unallocated preferred shares held by the ESOP were not considered outstanding in calculating earnings per share of the Company. During 2014, the Company redeemed all remaining preferred shares for cash. See Note 11.
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans	Defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans. The Company accounts for its defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans in accordance with the Retirement Benefits Topic of the ASC, which requires the recognition of a plan’s funded status as an asset for overfunded plans and as a liability for unfunded or underfunded plans. See Note 6.
Stock-based compensation	Stock-based compensation. The cost of the Company’s stock-based compensation is recorded in accordance with the Stock Compensation Topic of the ASC. See Note 12.
Foreign currency translation	Foreign currency translation. All consolidated non-highly inflationary foreign operations use the local currency of the country of operation as the functional currency and translated the local currency asset and liability accounts at year-end exchange rates while income and expense accounts were translated at average exchange rates. The resulting translation adjustments were included in Cumulative other comprehensive loss, a component of Shareholders’ equity.
Cumulative other comprehensive loss	Cumulative other comprehensive loss. At December 31, 2014, the ending balance of Cumulative other comprehensive loss included adjustments for foreign currency translation of $354,384, net prior service costs and net actuarial losses related to pension and other postretirement benefit plans of $118,167 and unrealized net gains on marketable equity securities of $593. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the ending balance of Cumulative other comprehensive loss included adjustments for foreign currency translation of $250,943 and $204,195, respectively, net prior service costs and net actuarial losses related to pension and other postretirement benefit plans of $70,611 and $166,595, respectively, and unrealized gains on marketable equity securities of $510 and $401, respectively.
Revenue recognition	Revenue recognition. All revenues were recognized when products were shipped and title had passed to unaffiliated customers. Collectibility of amounts recorded as revenue was reasonably assured at the time of recognition.
Customer and vendor consideration	Customer and vendor consideration. The Company offered certain customers rebate and sales incentive programs which were classified as reductions in Net sales. Such programs were in the form of volume rebates, rebates that constituted a percentage of sales or rebates for attaining certain sales goals. The Company received consideration from certain suppliers of raw materials in the form of volume rebates or rebates that
	constituted a percentage of purchases. These rebates were recognized on an accrual basis by the Company as a reduction of the purchase price of the raw materials and a subsequent reduction of Cost of goods sold when the related product was sold.
Costs of goods sold	Costs of goods sold. Included in Costs of goods sold were costs for materials, manufacturing, distribution and related support. Distribution costs included all expenses related to the distribution of products including inbound freight charges, purchase and receiving costs, warehousing costs, internal transfer costs and all costs incurred to ship products. Also included in Costs of goods sold were total technical expenditures, which included research and development costs, quality control, product formulation expenditures and other similar items.
Selling, general and administrative expenses	Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling costs included advertising expenses, marketing costs, employee and store costs and sales commissions. The cost of advertising was expensed as incurred. The Company incurred $299,201, $262,492 and $247,469 in advertising costs during 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. General and administrative expenses included human resources, legal, finance and other support and administrative functions.
Earnings per share	Earnings per share. Shares of preferred stock held in an unallocated account of the ESOP (see Note 11) and common stock held in a revocable trust (see Note 10) were not considered outstanding shares for basic or diluted income per common share calculations. All references to “shares” or “per share” information throughout this report relate to common shares and are stated on a diluted per common share basis, unless otherwise indicated. Basic and diluted net income per common share were calculated using the two-class method in accordance with the Earnings Per Common Share Topic of the ASC. Basic net income per common share amounts were computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted net income per common share amounts were computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus all dilutive securities potentially outstanding during the year. See Note 15.
Impact of recently issued accounting policies	Impact of recently issued accounting standards. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, "Revenue Recognition - Revenue from Contracts with Customers," which is a comprehensive revenue recognition standard that will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and either full retrospective adoption or modified retrospective adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of the standard.
Inventories	Inventories were stated at the lower of cost or market with cost determined principally on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. The following presents the effect on inventories, net income and net income per common share had the Company used the first-in, first-out (FIFO) inventory valuation method adjusted for income taxes at the statutory rate and assuming no other adjustments. Management believes that the use of LIFO results in a better matching of costs and revenues.

Significant_Accounting_Policie2

Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Carrying amount and fair value of debt	The fair values of the Company’s publicly traded debt, shown below, are based on quoted market prices. The fair values of the Company’s non-traded debt, also shown below, are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, based on the Company’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. The Company's publicly traded debt and non-traded debt are classified as level 1 and level 2, respectively, in the fair value hierarchy. See Note 7.
		December 31,
		2014						2013					2012
		Carrying			Fair			Carrying			Fair		Carrying		Fair
		Amount			Value			Amount			Value		Amount		Value
	Publicly traded debt	$	1,120,924		$	1,160,280		$	1,620,646		$	1,614,739	$	1,630,056	$	1,706,487
	Non-traded debt	5,056			4,812			4,675			4,430		5,798		5,600
Assets and Liabilities Reported at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis	Assets and Liabilities Reported at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
		Fair Value at			Quoted Prices in			Significant Other			Significant
		December 31,			Active Markets for			Observable Inputs			Unobservable
		2014			Identical Assets			(Level 2)			Inputs
					(Level 1)						(Level 3)
	Assets:
	Deferred compensation plan asset (a)	$	23,870		$	1,140		$	22,730
	Liabilities:
	Deferred compensation plan liability (b)	$	34,443		$	34,443
	(a)	The deferred compensation plan asset consists of the investment funds maintained for the future payments under the Company’s executive deferred compensation plan, which is structured as a rabbi trust. The investments are marketable securities accounted for under the Debt and Equity Securities Topic of the ASC. The level 1 investments are valued using quoted market prices multiplied by the number of shares. The level 2 investments are valued based on vendor or broker models. The cost basis of the investment funds is $22,715.
	(b)	The deferred compensation plan liability represents the value of the Company’s liability under its deferred compensation plan based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets.
Amortized cost of non-compete covenants and certain intangible property rights	The cost of finite-lived trademarks, non-compete covenants and certain intangible property rights are amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected period of benefit as follows:
		Useful Life
	Finite-lived trademarks	5 years
	Non-compete covenants	3 – 5 years
	Certain intangible property rights	3 – 19 years
Classes of assets and ranges of annual depreciation rates	The major classes of assets and ranges of annual depreciation rates are:
	Buildings	2.5% – 20.0%
	Machinery and equipment	5.0% – 20.0%
	Furniture and fixtures	10.0% – 33.3%
	Automobiles and trucks	10.0% – 33.3%
Company's accrual for product warranty claims	Changes in the Company’s accrual for product warranty claims during 2014, 2013 and 2012, including customer satisfaction settlements during the year, were as follows:
		2014			2013			2012
	Balance at January 1	$	26,755		$	22,710		$	22,071
	Charges to expense	37,879			33,265			28,590
	Settlements	(36,911		)	(29,220		)	(27,951		)
	Balance at December 31	$	27,723		$	26,755		$	22,710

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Summary of pro-forma consolidated financial information	The following unaudited pro-forma summary presents consolidated financial information as if the U.S./Canada business of Comex had been acquired at the beginning of 2013. The unaudited pro-forma consolidated financial information does not necessarily reflect the actual results that would have occurred had the acquisitions taken place on January 1, 2013 or the future results of operations of the combined companies under ownership and operation of the Company.
		2014		2013
	Net sales	$	11,129,533	$	10,540,181
	Net income	865,887		725,774
	Net income per common share:
	Basic	8.95		7.13
	Diluted	8.78		6.98

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	The 2014 and 2013 liquidations increased net income by $196 and $169, respectively, while the 2012 liquidations reduced net income by $160.
		2014			2013			2012
	Percentage of total	76		%	75		%	75		%
	inventories on LIFO
	Excess of FIFO over	$	331,867		$	337,214		$	357,303
	LIFO
	Increase in net	3,230			12,299			13,365
	income due to LIFO
	Increase in net	0.03			0.12			0.13
	income per common
	share due to LIFO

Goodwill_Intangible_and_LongLi1

Goodwill, Intangible and Long-Lived Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Carrying value of goodwill by reportable segment	A summary of changes in the Company’s carrying value of goodwill by Reportable Segment is as follows:
	Goodwill	Paint Stores			Consumer			Global			Latin America			Consolidated
		Group			Group			Finishes			Coatings Group			Totals
								Group
	Balance at January 1, 2012 (a)	$	286,998		$	689,279		$	120,350		$	11,381		$	1,108,008
	Acquisitions				17,357			24,707						42,064
	Currency and other adjustments	(214		)	(344		)	7,230			(739		)	5,933
	Balance at December 31, 2012 (a)	286,784			706,292			152,287			10,642			1,156,005
	Acquisitions	1,885						17,963						19,848
	Currency and other adjustments	(1,369		)	(2,941		)	8,048			(904		)	2,834
	Balance at December 31, 2013 (a)	287,300			703,351			178,298			9,738			1,178,687
	Currency and other adjustments	(1,866		)	(1,145		)	(17,287		)	(43		)	(20,341		)
	Balance at December 31, 2014 (a)	$	285,434		$	702,206		$	161,011		$	9,695		$	1,158,346
	(a)	Net of accumulated impairment losses of $8,904 ($8,113 in the Consumer Group and $791 in the Global Finishes Group).
Carrying value of intangible assets	A summary of the Company’s carrying value of intangible assets is as follows:
		Finite-lived intangible assets									Trademarks			Total
											with indefinite			intangible
		Software			All other			Subtotal			lives			assets
	31-Dec-14
	Weighted-average amortization period	8 years			12 years			11 years
	Gross	$	126,258		$	317,005		$	443,263
	Accumulated amortization	(88,384		)	(215,518		)	(303,902		)
	Net value	$	37,874		$	101,487		$	139,361		$	149,766		$	289,127
	31-Dec-13
	Weighted-average amortization period	8 years			10 years			9 years
	Gross	$	114,404		$	327,962		$	442,366
	Accumulated amortization	(77,018		)	(202,084		)	(279,102		)
	Net value	$	37,386		$	125,878		$	163,264		$	150,035		$	313,299
	31-Dec-12
	Weighted-average amortization period	8 years			12 years			11 years
	Gross	$	107,779		$	337,089		$	444,868
	Accumulated amortization	(66,106		)	(193,959		)	(260,065		)
	Net value	$	41,673		$	143,130		$	184,803		$	162,750		$	347,553

Exit_or_Disposal_Activities_Ta

Exit or Disposal Activities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Summary of activity and remaining liabilities associated with qualified exit costs	The tables on the following pages summarize the activity and remaining liabilities associated with qualified exit costs:
	Exit Plan	Balance at		Provisions in		Actual			Balance at
		December 31,		Cost of goods		expenditures			December 31,
		2013		sold or SG&A		charged to			2014
						accrual
	Paint Stores Group stores shutdown in 2014:
	Other qualified exit costs			$	280				$	280
	Consumer Group facilities shutdown in 2014:
	Severance and related costs			4,028		$	(1,296	)	2,732
	Other qualified exit costs			781					781
	Global Finishes Group exit of business in 2014:
	Severance and related costs			2,500		(2,396		)	104
	Other qualified exit costs			2,267		(1,187		)	1,080
	Paint Stores Group facility shutdown in 2013:
	Severance and related costs	$	977	2,126		(2,449		)	654
	Other qualified exit costs			1,499		(294		)	1,205
	Consumer Group facilities shutdown in 2013:
	Severance and related costs	598		97		(695		)
	Global Finishes Group stores shutdown in 2013:
	Severance and related costs	33				(5		)	28
	Other qualified exit costs	220				(82		)	138
	Latin America Coatings Group facilities
	shutdown in 2013:
	Severance and related costs	123				(123		)
	Paint Stores Group stores shutdown in 2012:
	Other qualified exit costs	244				(51		)	193
	Global Finishes Group facilities shutdown in 2012:
	Severance and related costs	2,177				(1,863		)	314
	Other qualified exit costs	83							83
	Other qualified exit costs for facilities	1,365				(441		)	924
	shutdown prior to 2012
	Totals	$	5,820	$	13,578	$	(10,882	)	$	8,516
	Exit Plan	Balance at		Provisions in		Actual			Adjustments to			Balance at
		December 31,		Cost of goods		expenditures			prior provisions			December 31,
		2012		sold or SG&A		charged to			in Other general			2013
						accrual			expense - net
	Paint Stores Group stores shutdown in 2013:
	Severance and related costs			$	1,004	$	(27	)				$	977
	Consumer Group facilities shutdown in 2013:
	Severance and related costs			598								598
	Global Finishes Group branches shutdown in 2013:
	Severance and related costs			278		(25		)				253
	Latin America Coatings Group facilities
	shutdown in 2013:
	Severance and related costs			123								123
	Paint Stores Group stores shutdown in 2012:
	Other qualified exit costs	$	313			(68		)	$	(1	)	244
	Global Finishes Group facilities shutdown in 2012:
	Severance and related costs	2,236		2,533		(2,592		)				2,177
	Other qualified exit costs	3,430		83		(3,530		)	100			83
	Global Finishes Group branches shutdown in 2011:
	Other qualified exit costs	290				(222		)				68
	Other qualified exit costs for facilities	2,288				(955		)	(36		)	1,297
	shutdown prior to 2011
	Totals	$	8,557	$	4,619	$	(7,419	)	$	63		$	5,820
	Exit Plan	Balance at		Provisions in		Actual			Adjustments to			Balance at
		1-Jan-12		Cost of goods		expenditures			prior provisions			December 31,
				sold or SG&A		charged to			in Other general			2012
						accrual			expense - net
	Paint Stores Group stores shutdown
	in 2012:
	Other qualified exit costs			$	313							$	313
	Global Finishes Group facility shutdown
	in 2012:
Severance and related costs			3,933		$	(1,697	)				2,236
Other qualified exit costs			3,430								3,430
Consumer Group manufacturing facilities
shutdown in 2011:
Severance and related costs	$	197			(133		)	$	(64	)
Paint Stores Group stores shutdown
in 2011:
Other qualified exit costs	156				(144		)	(12		)
Global Finishes Group branches shutdown
in 2011:
Severance and related costs	129				(134		)	5
Other qualified exit costs	470				(180		)				290
Global Finishes Group branches shutdown
in 2010:
Other qualified exit costs	955				(133		)				822
Other qualified exit costs for facilities	8,493				(2,156		)	(4,871		)	1,466
shutdown prior to 2010
Totals	$	10,400	$	7,676	$	(4,577	)	$	(4,942	)	$	8,557

Pension_Health_Care_and_Postre1

Pension, Health Care and Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Health care, pension and other benefits	The following table summarizes the components of the net pension costs and Cumulative other comprehensive loss related to the defined benefit pension plans:
		Domestic									Foreign
		Defined Benefit Pension Plans									Defined Benefit Pension Plans
		2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
	Net pension costs:
	Service costs	$	21,342		$	23,176		$	19,061		$	5,261		$	5,039		$	3,654
	Interest costs	26,266			18,444			17,442			10,422			7,940			6,927
	Expected returns on plan assets	(51,293		)	(42,937		)	(44,841		)	(10,836		)	(7,487		)	(6,799		)
	Amortization of prior service costs	1,837			1,823			1,591
	Amortization of actuarial losses				13,147			22,205			1,413			1,716			1,022
	Ongoing pension (credits) costs	(1,848		)	13,653			15,458			6,260			7,208			4,804
	Settlement (credits) costs										(3,422		)	(220		)	47
	Net pension (credits) costs	(1,848		)	13,653			15,458			2,838			6,988			4,851
	Other changes in plan assets and projected benefit
	obligation recognized in Cumulative other comprehensive loss (before taxes):
	Net actuarial losses (gains) arising during the year	47,785			(90,669		)	(26,459		)	21,792			(5,487		)	14,131
	Prior service costs during the year	2,242			1,756			2,495
	Amortization of prior service costs	(1,837		)	(1,823		)	(1,591		)
	Amortization of actuarial losses				(13,147		)	(22,205		)	(1,413		)	(1,716		)	(1,022		)
	Exchange rate (loss) gain recognized during year										(7,988		)	819			1,464
	Total recognized in Cumulative other	48,190			(103,883		)	(47,760		)	12,391			(6,384		)	14,573
	comprehensive loss
	Total recognized in net pension costs (credits)	$	46,342		$	(90,230	)	$	(32,302	)	$	15,229		$	604		$	19,424
	and Cumulative other comprehensive loss
Fair value of the defined benefit pension plan assets	The following tables summarize the fair value of the defined benefit pension plan assets at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
		Fair Value at			Quoted Prices in			Significant Other			Significant
		December 31,			Active Markets for Identical			Observable			Unobservable
		2014			Assets			Inputs			Inputs
					(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Investments at fair value:
	Short-term investments (a)	$	14,846					$	14,846
	Equity investments (b)	739,358			$	404,542		334,816
	Fixed income investments (c)	285,042			141,529			143,513
	Other assets (d)	44,469						28,435			$	16,034
		$	1,083,715		$	546,071		$	521,610		$	16,034
		Fair Value at			Quoted Prices in			Significant Other			Significant
		December 31,			Active Markets for Identical			Observable			Unobservable Inputs
		2013			Assets			Inputs			(Level 3)
					(Level 1)			(Level 2)
	Investments at fair value:
	Short-term investments (a)	$	15,055		$	1,941		$	13,114
	Equity investments (b)	736,873			419,779			317,094
	Fixed income investments (c)	255,927			125,377			130,550
	Other assets (d)	47,494						29,553			$	17,941
		$	1,055,349		$	547,097		$	490,311		$	17,941
		Fair Value at			Quoted Prices in			Significant Other			Significant
		December 31,			Active Markets for Identical			Observable			Unobservable Inputs
		2012			Assets			Inputs			(Level 3)
					(Level 1)			(Level 2)
	Investments at fair value:
	Short-term investments (a)	$	68,795					$	68,795
	Equity investments (b)	490,993			$	243,553		247,440
	Fixed income investments (c)	239,558			131,276			108,282
	Other assets (d)	37,230						18,380			$	18,850
		$	836,576		$	374,829		$	442,897		$	18,850
	(a)	This category includes a full range of high quality, short-term money market securities.
	(b)	This category includes actively managed equity assets that track primarily to the S&P 500.
	(c)	This category includes government and corporate bonds that track primarily to the Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index.
	(d)	This category consists of venture capital funds.
Changes in the fair value of the defined benefit pension plan assets classified as level 3	The following tables summarize the changes in the fair value of the defined benefit pension plan assets classified as level 3 at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
		Balance at			Dispositions			Realized and Unrealized Gains			Balance at
		December 31,									December 31,
		2013									2014
	Other assets	$	17,941		$	(4,320	)	$	2,413		$	16,034
		Balance at			Dispositions			Realized and Unrealized Gains			Balance at
		December 31,									December 31,
		2012									2013
	Other assets	$	18,850		$	(4,068	)	$	3,159		$	17,941
		Balance at			Dispositions			Realized and Unrealized Gains			Balance at
		January 1,									December 31,
		2012									2012
	Other assets	$	20,900		$	(3,827	)	$	1,777		$	18,850
Obligations, plan assets and assumption used for defined benefit pension plan	The following table summarizes the obligations, plan assets and assumptions used for the defined benefit pension plans, which are all measured as of December 31:
		Domestic									Foreign
		Defined Benefit Pension Plans									Defined Benefit Pension Plans
		2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
	Accumulated benefit obligations	$	648,480		$	577,736		$	460,591		$	203,610		$	187,670		$	142,769
	at end of year
	Projected benefit obligations:
	Balances at beginning of year	$	582,036		$	466,827		$	410,029		$	222,996		$	168,758		$	141,465
	Service costs	21,342			23,176			19,061			5,261			5,039			3,654
	Interest costs	26,266			18,444			17,442			10,422			7,940			6,927
	Actuarial losses (gains)	68,748			(5,488		)	48,346			32,551			5,939			17,532
	Acquisitions of businesses and other	2,242			113,174			2,496			(10,062		)	39,622			(975		)
	Effect of foreign exchange										(18,987		)	1,549			6,633
	Benefits paid	(47,296		)	(34,097		)	(30,547		)	(7,657		)	(5,851		)	(6,478		)
	Balances at end of year	653,338			582,036			466,827			234,524			222,996			168,758
	Plan assets:
	Balances at beginning of year	870,386			703,563			614,463			184,963			133,013			118,060
	Actual returns on plan assets	72,256			128,117			119,647			20,240			20,316			10,201
	Acquisitions of businesses and other	725			72,803						3,958			36,106			6,205
	Effect of foreign exchange										(13,859		)	1,379			5,025
	Benefits paid	(47,296		)	(34,097		)	(30,547		)	(7,657		)	(5,851		)	(6,478		)
	Balances at end of year	896,071			870,386			703,563			187,645			184,963			133,013
	Excess (deficient) plan assets over	$	242,733		$	288,350		$	236,736		$	(46,879	)	$	(38,033	)	$	(35,745	)
	projected benefit obligations
	Assets and liabilities recognized in the
	Consolidated Balance Sheets:
	Deferred pension assets	$	242,733		$	288,350		$	245,588		$	7,411		$	14,096		$	4,323
	Other accruals										(810		)	(1,126		)	(869		)
	Other long-term liabilities							(8,852		)	(53,480		)	(51,003		)	(39,199		)
		$	242,733		$	288,350		$	236,736		$	(46,879	)	$	(38,033	)	$	(35,745	)
	Amounts recognized in Cumulative other
	comprehensive loss:
	Net actuarial losses	$	(107,057	)	$	(59,272	)	$	(163,088	)	$	(47,574	)	$	(35,183	)	$	(41,567	)
	Prior service costs	(6,448		)	(6,043		)	(6,110		)
		$	(113,505	)	$	(65,315	)	$	(169,198	)	$	(47,574	)	$	(35,183	)	$	(41,567	)
	Weighted-average assumptions used to
	determine projected benefit obligations:
	Discount rate	3.95		%	4.65		%	3.73		%	3.92		%	4.89		%	4.58		%
	Rate of compensation increase	4		%	4		%	4		%	3.7		%	4.31		%	4.08		%
	Weighted-average assumptions used to
	determine net pension costs:
	Discount rate	4.65		%	3.73		%	4.4		%	4.89		%	4.58		%	4.94		%
	Expected long-term rate of	6		%	6		%	7.5		%	5.58		%	5.67		%	6.04		%
	return on assets
	Rate of compensation increase	4		%	4		%	4		%	4.31		%	4.08		%	4.04		%
Obligation and the assumptions used for postretirement benefits other than pensions	The following table summarizes the obligation and the assumptions used for postretirement benefits other than pensions:
		Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions
		2014			2013			2012
	Benefit obligation:
	Balance at beginning of year - unfunded	$	286,651		$	338,134		$	316,795
	Service cost	2,434			3,061			2,943
	Interest cost	12,782			12,183			13,520
	Actuarial loss (gain)	27,757			(50,593		)	18,961
	Plan amendments	(19,043		)	(2,503		)
	Benefits paid	(15,432		)	(13,631		)	(14,085		)
	Balance at end of year - unfunded	$	295,149		$	286,651		$	338,134
	Liabilities recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
	Postretirement benefits other than pensions	$	(277,892	)	$	(268,874	)	$	(320,223	)
	Other accruals	(17,257		)	(17,777		)	(17,911		)
		$	(295,149	)	$	(286,651	)	$	(338,134	)
	Amounts recognized in Cumulative other comprehensive loss:
	Net actuarial losses	$	(36,044	)	$	(8,287	)	$	(62,814	)
	Prior service costs	21,043			2,503			328
		$	(15,001	)	$	(5,784	)	$	(62,486	)
	Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligation:
	Discount rate	3.9		%	4.6		%	3.7		%
	Health care cost trend rate - pre-65	7		%	7.5		%	8		%
	Health care cost trend rate - post-65	6.5		%	6.5		%	8		%
	Prescription drug cost increases	6.5		%	7		%	8		%
	Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP) trend rate	8		%
	Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost:
	Discount rate	4.6		%	3.7		%	4.4		%
	Health care cost trend rate - pre-65	7.5		%	8		%	8		%
	Health care cost trend rate - post-65	6.5		%	8		%	8		%
	Prescription drug cost increases	7		%	8		%	8		%
Components of the net periodic benefit cost and cumulative other comprehensive loss related to postretirement benefits other than pensions	The following table summarizes the components of the net periodic benefit cost and cumulative other comprehensive loss related to postretirement benefits other than pensions:
		Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions
		2014			2013			2012
	Net periodic benefit cost:
	Service cost	$	2,434		$	3,061		$	2,943
	Interest cost	12,782			12,183			13,520
	Amortization of actuarial losses				3,934			1,715
	Amortization of prior service credit	(503		)	(328		)	(656		)
	Net periodic benefit cost	14,713			18,850			17,522
	Other changes in projected benefit obligation recognized in
	Cumulative other comprehensive loss (before taxes):
	Net actuarial loss (gain)	27,757			(50,593		)	18,961
	Prior service credit arising during the year	(19,043		)	(2,503		)
	Amortization of actuarial losses				(3,934		)	(1,715		)
	Amortization of prior service credit	503			328			656
	Total recognized in Cumulative other comprehensive loss	9,217			(56,702		)	17,902
	Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and	$	23,930		$	(37,852	)	$	35,424
	Cumulative other comprehensive loss
Significant effect on amounts reported for service and interest rate component and postretirement health care benefit obligation	A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care and prescription drug cost trend rates would have had the following effects at December 31, 2014:
		One-Percentage Point
		Increase			(Decrease)
	Effect on total of service and interest cost components	$	23		$	(66	)
	Effect on the postretirement benefit obligation	$	734		$	(1,697	)
Retiree health care benefit cash payments	The Company expects to make retiree health care benefit cash payments and to receive government reimbursements as follows:
		Retiree Health			Government Reimbursement			Expected Cash
		Care Benefits						Payments - Net
	2015	$	19,563		$	(2,305	)	$	17,258
	2016	20,759			(2,474		)	18,285
	2017	22,000			(2,667		)	19,333
	2018	22,884			(2,888		)	19,996
	2019	23,486			(3,107		)	20,379
	2020 through 2024	115,694			(16,779		)	98,915
	Total expected benefit cash payments	$	224,386		$	(30,220	)	$	194,166

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term Debt	Long-term debt
		Due Date	2014		2013		2012
	1.35% Senior Notes	2017	$	699,460	$	699,277	$	699,091
	4.00% Senior Notes	2042	298,595		298,545		298,493
	7.375% Debentures	2027	119,369		119,366		129,060
	7.45% Debentures	2097	3,500		3,500		3,500
	2.02% to 8.00% Promissory Notes	Through 2029	1,791		1,685		2,109
	3.125% Senior Notes	2014					499,912
			$	1,122,715	$	1,122,373	$	1,632,165

Capital_Stock_Tables

Capital Stock (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Capital Stock
		Common Shares	Common Shares
		in Treasury	Outstanding
	Balance at January 1, 2012	3,601,159	103,854,234
	Shares tendered as payment for option rights exercised	7,766	(7,766	)
	Shares issued for exercise of option rights		4,140,822
	Shares tendered in connection with grants of restricted stock	143,979	(143,979	)
	Net shares issued for grants of restricted stock		26,756
	Treasury stock purchased	4,600,000	(4,600,000	)
	Balance at December 31, 2012	8,352,904	103,270,067
	Shares tendered as payment for option rights exercised	2,697	(2,697	)
	Shares issued for exercise of option rights		1,127,942
	Shares tendered in connection with grants of restricted stock	116,897	(116,897	)
	Net shares issued for grants of restricted stock		150,965
	Treasury stock purchased	4,300,000	(4,300,000	)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	12,772,498	100,129,380
	Shares tendered as payment for option rights exercised	7,229	(7,229	)
	Shares issued for exercise of option rights		1,423,395
	Shares tendered in connection with grants of restricted stock	108,352	(108,352	)
	Net shares issued for grants of restricted stock		191,979
	Treasury stock purchased	6,925,000	(6,925,000	)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	19,813,079	94,704,173

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Option rights	The fair value of the Company’s option rights was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions for all options granted:
		2014		2013		2012
	Risk-free interest rate	1.47%		1.37%		0.78%
	Expected life of option rights	5.10 years		5.10 years		5.11 years
	Expected dividend yield	1.19%		1.32%		1.43%
	of stock
	Expected volatility of stock	0.223		0.281		0.274
Company's non-qualified and incentive stock option right activity for employees and nonemployee directors	A summary of the Company’s non-qualified and incentive stock option right activity for employees and nonemployee directors, and related information for the years ended December 31 is shown in the following table:
		2014										2013						2012
		Optioned			Weighted-				Aggregate			Optioned		Weighted-		Aggregate		Optioned		Weighted-		Aggregate
		Shares			Average				Intrinsic			Shares		Average		Intrinsic		Shares		Average		Intrinsic
					Exercise				Value					Exercise		Value				Exercise		Value
					Price									Price						Price
					Per Share									Per Share						Per Share
	Outstanding beginning	6,484,592			$	96.25						6,748,126		$	79.39			9,857,695		$	60.31
	of year
	Granted	672,565			224.65							898,728		179.67				1,089,240		152.93
	Exercised	(1,421,045	)		70.71							(1,127,942	)	61.46				(4,140,822	)	53.4
	Forfeited	(31,617	)		158.92							(33,278	)	115.24				(57,730	)	78.01
	Expired	(4,603	)		86.66							(1,042	)	79.73				(257	)	72.65
	Outstanding end of year	5,699,892			$	117.31			$	830,647		6,484,592		$	96.25	$	563,554	6,748,126		$	79.39	$	494,699
	Exercisable at end of year	4,095,246			$	87.79			$	717,691		4,424,674		$	71.86	$	492,689	4,245,891		$	61.43	$	386,484
Summary of grants of restricted stock to certain officers, key employees and non-employee directors	A summary of grants of restricted stock to certain officers, key employees and nonemployee directors during each year is as follows:
		2014				2013				2012
	Restricted stock granted	201,412				172,406				301,856
	Weighted-average per share	$	191.6			$	163.63			$	99.47
	fair value of restricted stock
	granted during the year
Summary of the Company's restricted stock activity	A summary of the Company’s restricted stock activity for the years ended December 31 is shown in the following table:
		2014			2013			2012
	Outstanding at beginning	749,382			919,748			1,304,891
	of year
	Granted	201,412			172,406			301,856
	Vested	(294,438	)		(334,750	)		(412,859	)
	Forfeited	(1,080	)		(8,022	)		(274,140	)
	Outstanding at end of year	655,276			749,382			919,748

Other_Tables

Other (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Other general expense - net	Included in Other general expense - net were the following:
		2014			2013			2012
	Provisions for environmental	$	36,046		$	(2,751	)	$	6,736
	matters - net
	Loss on disposition of assets	1,436			5,207			3,454
	Net expense (income) of exit or disposal activities				63			(4,942		)
	Total	$	37,482		$	2,519		$	5,248
Other expense (income) - net	. Included in Other (income) expense - net were the following:
		2014			2013			2012
	Dividend and royalty income	$	(4,864	)	$	(5,904	)	$	(4,666	)
	Net expense from	11,367			9,829			9,220
	financing activities
	Foreign currency transaction related losses (gains)	3,603			7,669			(3,071		)
	Other income	(37,524		)	(22,684		)	(21,074		)
	Other expense	12,018			12,026			9,651
	Total	$	(15,400	)	$	936		$	(9,940	)

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of deferred tax assets and liabilities	Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
		2014				2013				2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Exit costs, environ-mental and other	$	56,441			$	45,322			$	45,403
	similar items
	Deferred employee	55,765				32,600				93,039
	benefit items
	Other items (each	85,841				53,727				73,388
	less than 5 percent
	of total assets)
	Total deferred	$	198,047			$	131,649			$	211,830
	tax assets
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Depreciation and	$	227,765			$	214,696			$	202,891
	amortization
Components of the provisions for income taxes	Significant components of the provisions for income taxes were as follows:
		2014				2013				2012
	Current:
	Federal	$	308,283			$	229,997			$	207,791
	Foreign	53,045				42,543				51,264
	State and local	50,049				33,082				27,642
	Total current	411,377				305,622				286,697
	Deferred:
	Federal	(14,974		)		30,384				8,692
	Foreign	(7,361		)		(9,041		)		(16,964		)
	State and local	3,297				6,432				(2,150		)
	Total deferred	(19,038		)		27,775				(10,422		)
	Total provisions for	$	392,339			$	333,397			$	276,275
	income taxes
Components of income before income taxes and minority interest used for income tax purpose	Significant components of income before income taxes as used for income tax purposes, were as follows:
		2014				2013				2012
	Domestic	$	1,113,527			$	969,790			$	712,873
	Foreign	144,698				116,168				194,436
		$	1,258,225			$	1,085,958			$	907,309
Reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective tax rate	A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective tax rate follows:
		2014			2013			2012
	Statutory federal	35	%		35	%		35	%
	income tax rate
	Effect of:
	State and local	2.8			2.4			1.8
	income taxes
	Investment vehicles	(2.5	)		(2.1	)		(2.1	)
	Domestic production	(2.5	)		(2.2	)		(1.9	)
	activities
	Other - net	(1.6	)		(2.4	)		(2.4	)
	Effective tax rate	31.2	%		30.7	%		30.4	%
Reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
		2014				2013				2012
	Balance at beginning	$	30,997			$	28,119			$	29,666
	of year
	Additions based on	3,370				3,480				3,760
	tax positions related
	to the current year
	Additions for tax	4,428				5,059				7,392
	positions of prior
	years
	Reductions for tax	(2,349		)		(3,378		)		(6,583		)
	positions of prior
	years
	Settlements	(4,089		)		(103		)		(1,139		)
	Lapses of Statutes	(797		)		(2,180		)		(4,977		)
	of Limitations
	Balance at end of year	$	31,560			$	30,997			$	28,119

Net_Income_Per_Common_Share_Ta

Net Income Per Common Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of net income per common share
		2014			2013			2012
	Basic
	Average common shares outstanding	96,190,101			100,897,512			101,714,901
	Net income	$	865,887		$	752,561		$	631,034
	Less net income allocated to unvested restricted shares	(4,892		)	(4,596		)	(5,114		)
	Net income allocated to common shares	$	860,995		$	747,965		$	625,920
	Net income per common share	$	8.95		$	7.41		$	6.15
	Diluted
	Average common shares outstanding	96,190,101			100,897,512			101,714,901
	Stock options and other contingently issuable shares (a)	1,885,334			2,151,359			2,215,528
	Average common shares outstanding assuming dilution	98,075,435			103,048,871			103,930,429
	Net income	$	865,887		$	752,561		$	631,034
	Less net income allocated to unvested restricted shares	(4,804		)	(4,509		)	(5,008		)
	assuming dilution
	Net income allocated to common shares assuming dilution	$	861,083		$	748,052		$	626,026
	Net income per common share	$	8.78		$	7.26		$	6.02
	(a)	Stock options and other contingently issuable shares excludes 608,477, 842,354 and 1,047,734 shares at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, due to their anti-dilutive effect.

Summary_of_Quarterly_Results_o1

Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Summary of quarterly results of operations
		2014
		1st Quarter		2nd Quarter		3rd Quarter		4th Quarter		Full Year
	Net sales	$	2,366,556	$	3,042,995	$	3,150,570	$	2,569,412	$	11,129,533
	Gross profit	1,065,901		1,409,653		1,470,955		1,217,975		5,164,484
	Net income	115,457		291,447		326,240		132,743		865,887
	Net income per common share - basic	1.16		3		3.42		1.4		8.95
	Net income per common share - diluted	1.14		2.94		3.35		1.37		8.78
		2013
		1st Quarter		2nd Quarter		3rd Quarter		4th Quarter		Full Year
	Net sales	$	2,167,168	$	2,713,889	$	2,847,417	$	2,457,058	$	10,185,532
	Gross profit	962,851		1,233,579		1,295,958		1,124,178		4,616,566
	Net income	116,185		257,287		262,966		116,123		752,561
	Net income per common share - basic	1.13		2.51		2.61		1.16		7.41
	Net income per common share - diluted	1.11		2.46		2.55		1.14		7.26

Operating_Leases_Table

Operating Leases (Table)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Leases [Abstract]
Future minimum lease payments under noncancellable operating leases	The following schedule summarizes the future minimum lease payments under noncancellable operating leases having initial or remaining terms in excess of one year at December 31, 2014:
	2015	$	296,875
	2016	254,608
	2017	204,898
	2018	156,495
	2019	113,968
	Later years	287,929
	Total minimum lease payments	$	1,314,773

Reportable_Segment_Information1

Reportable Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Reportable segment information
	(millions of dollars)	2014
		Paint Stores			Consumer			Global			Latin America			Administrative				Consolidated
		Group			Group			Finishes			Coatings							Totals
								Group			Group
	Net external sales	$	6,852		$	1,421		$	2,081		$	771		$	5			$	11,130
	Intersegment transfers				2,745			8			40			(2,793		)
	Total net sales and	$	6,852		$	4,166		$	2,089		$	811		$	(2,788	)		$	11,130
	intersegment transfers
	Segment profit	$	1,201		$	253		$	201		$	40						$	1,695
	Interest expense													$	(64	)		(64		)
	Administrative expenses and other													(373		)		(373		)
	Income before income taxes	$	1,201		$	253		$	201		$	40		$	(437	)		$	1,258
	Reportable segment margins	17.5		%	6.1		%	9.6		%	4.9		%
	Identifiable assets	$	1,602		$	1,883		$	874		$	427		$	920			$	5,706
	Capital expenditures	87			45			16			8			45				201
	Depreciation	58			48			28			9			26				169
		2013
		Paint Stores			Consumer			Global			Latin America			Administrative				Consolidated
		Group			Group			Finishes			Coatings							Totals
								Group			Group
	Net external sales	$	6,002		$	1,342		$	2,005		$	832		$	5			$	10,186
	Intersegment transfers				2,409			9			39			(2,457		)
	Total net sales and	$	6,002		$	3,751		$	2,014		$	871		$	(2,452	)		$	10,186
	intersegment transfers
	Segment profit	$	991		$	242		$	170		$	39						$	1,442
	Interest expense													$	(63	)		(63		)
	Administrative expenses and other													(293		)		(293		)
	Income before income taxes	$	991		$	242		$	170		$	39		$	(356	)		$	1,086
	Reportable segment margins	16.5		%	6.5		%	8.4		%	4.5		%
	Identifiable assets	$	1,668		$	1,762		$	964		$	485		$	1,504			$	6,383
	Capital expenditures	73			40			15			7			32				167
	Depreciation	55			45			29			10			20				159
		2012
		Paint Stores			Consumer			Global			Latin America			Administrative				Consolidated
		Group			Group			Finishes			Coatings							Totals
								Group			Group
	Net external sales	$	5,410		$	1,322		$	1,961		$	836		$	5			$	9,534
	Intersegment transfers				2,320			7			47			(2,374		)
	Total net sales and	$	5,410		$	3,642		$	1,968		$	883		$	(2,369	)		$	9,534
	intersegment transfers
	Segment profit	$	862		$	217		$	147		$	81						$	1,307
	Interest expense													$	(43	)		(43		)
	Administrative expenses and other													(357		)	(1)	(357		)
	Income before income taxes	$	862		$	217		$	147		$	81		$	(400	)		$	907
	Reportable segment margins	15.9		%	6		%	7.5		%	9.2		%
	Identifiable assets	$	1,374		$	1,701		$	987		$	485		$	1,688			$	6,235
	Capital expenditures	67			47			14			9			20				157
	Depreciation	49			43			30			10			20				152
	(1)	Includes $80 pre-tax charge related to DOL Settlement. See Note 9.

Significant_Accounting_Policie3

Significant Accounting Policies - Non-Traded Investments (Details Textual) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Non Traded Investments (Textual) [Abstract]
Carrying amount of the investments, included in other assets	$223,935	$210,779	$223,701
Liability for estimated future capital contributions to the investments	$198,776	$198,761	$218,688

Significant_Accounting_Policie4

Significant Accounting Policies - Long-term Debt (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Publicly Traded Debt [Member]
Financial Instruments
Carrying Amount	$1,120,924	$1,620,646	$1,630,056
Fair Value	1,160,280	1,614,739	1,706,487
Non-Traded Debt [Member]
Financial Instruments
Carrying Amount	5,056	4,675	5,798
Fair Value	$4,812	$4,430	$5,600

Significant_Accounting_Policie5

Significant Accounting Policies - Fair Value Measurements on Recurring Basis (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Assets:
Deferred compensation plan asset	$1,140	[1]
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plan liability	34,443	[2]
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Assets:
Deferred compensation plan asset	22,730	[1]
Fair Value Measurements (Textual) [Abstract]
Cost basis of the investment funds	22,715
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Assets:
Deferred compensation plan asset	23,870	[1]
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plan liability	$34,443	[2]
[1]	The deferred compensation plan asset consists of the investment funds maintained for the future payments under the Company’s executive deferred compensation plan, which is structured as a rabbi trust. The investments are marketable securities accounted for under the Debt and Equity Securities Topic of the ASC. The level 1 investments are valued using quoted market prices multiplied by the number of shares. The level 2 investments are valued based on vendor or broker models. The cost basis of the investment funds is $22,715.
[2]	The deferred compensation plan liability represents the value of the Company’s liability under its deferred compensation plan based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets.

Significant_Accounting_Policie6

Significant Accounting Policies (Details 2)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Amortization cost of non-compete covenants and certain intangible property rights
Useful life	11 years	9 years	11 years
Finite-lived Trademarks [Member]
Amortization cost of non-compete covenants and certain intangible property rights
Useful life	5 years
Minimum [Member] | Non-Compete Covenants [Member]
Amortization cost of non-compete covenants and certain intangible property rights
Useful life	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Certain Intangible Property Rights [Member]
Amortization cost of non-compete covenants and certain intangible property rights
Useful life	3 years
Maximum [Member] | Non-Compete Covenants [Member]
Amortization cost of non-compete covenants and certain intangible property rights
Useful life	5 years
Maximum [Member] | Certain Intangible Property Rights [Member]
Amortization cost of non-compete covenants and certain intangible property rights
Useful life	19 years

Significant_Accounting_Policie7

Significant Accounting Policies (Details 3)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Buildings [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Classes of assets and ranges of annual depreciation rates
Annual depreciation rate on assets	2.50%
Buildings [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Classes of assets and ranges of annual depreciation rates
Annual depreciation rate on assets	20.00%
Machinery and equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Classes of assets and ranges of annual depreciation rates
Annual depreciation rate on assets	5.00%
Machinery and equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Classes of assets and ranges of annual depreciation rates
Annual depreciation rate on assets	20.00%
Furniture and fixtures [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Classes of assets and ranges of annual depreciation rates
Annual depreciation rate on assets	10.00%
Furniture and fixtures [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Classes of assets and ranges of annual depreciation rates
Annual depreciation rate on assets	33.30%
Automobiles and trucks [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Classes of assets and ranges of annual depreciation rates
Annual depreciation rate on assets	10.00%
Automobiles and trucks [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Classes of assets and ranges of annual depreciation rates
Annual depreciation rate on assets	33.30%

Significant_Accounting_Policie8

Significant Accounting Policies Accounting Policies - Warranties (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Company's accrual for product warranty claims
Balance at January 1	$26,755	$22,710	$22,071
Charges to expense	37,879	33,265	28,590
Settlements	-36,911	-29,220	-27,951
Balance at December 31	$27,723	$26,755	$22,710

Significant_Accounting_Policie9

Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014
	Contract	Contract	Contract
Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of derivative contracts outstanding	0	0	0	0
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$53,770	$54,460	$47,667	$53,770
Inventory valuation reserves	90,712	97,523	88,356	90,712
Accumulated amortization of finite-lived intangible assets	303,902	279,102	260,065	303,902
Amounts outstanding under standby letter of credit agreements	23,442	25,896	22,845	23,442
Cumulative other comprehensive loss included adjustments for foreign currency translation	354,384	250,943	204,195	354,384
Prior service costs and net actuarial losses related to pension and other postretirement benefit plans	118,167	70,611	166,595	118,167
Unrealized net gains on marketable equity securities and derivative instruments used in cash flow hedges	-593	-510	-401	-593
Research and development costs included in technical expenditures	50,019	47,042	44,648
Advertising cost	299,201	262,492	247,469
Titanium Dioxide Antitrust Litigation [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Settlement gain related to litigation settlement				$21,420

Acquisitions_Details

Acquisitions (Details) (Acquisition of Comex US Canada Business [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 16, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Recognized intangible assets			$4,696
Summary of pro-forma consolidated financial information
Net sales	11,129,533	10,540,181
Net income	865,887	725,774
Net income per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$8.95	$7.13
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$8.78	$6.98
Administrative [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Realized gain on final asset valuations	$6,198

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Impact on Net income of liquidations	($196)	($169)	$160
Inventories
Percentage of total inventories on LIFO	76.00%	75.00%	75.00%
Excess of FIFO over LIFO	331,867	337,214	357,303
Increase in net income due to LIFO	$3,230	$12,299	$13,365
Increase in net income per common share due to LIFO (in dollars per share)	$0.03	$0.12	$0.13

Valuation_and_Qualifying_Accou1

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves (Schedule II) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$54,460	$47,667	$51,747
Amount acquired through acquisitions		896	226
Bad debt expense	34,810	31,192	20,922
Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries	-35,500	-25,295	-25,228
Ending balance	$53,770	$54,460	$47,667

Goodwill_Intangible_and_LongLi2

Goodwill, Intangible and Long-Lived Assets (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			24 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill, Intangible and Long-Lived Assets (Textual) [Abstract]
Goodwill Recognized		$19,848,000	$42,064,000
Finite-lived intangible assets	139,361,000	163,264,000	184,803,000	163,264,000	139,361,000
Goodwill impairment	0	0	0
Accumulated impairment	8,904,000				8,904,000
Additional Goodwill Intangible and Long Lived Assets (Textual) [Abstract]
Amortization of finite-lived Intangible assets for the year 2015	26,379,000				26,379,000
Amortization of finite-lived Intangible assets for the year 2016	20,297,000				20,297,000
Amortization of finite-lived Intangible assets for the year 2017	15,706,000				15,706,000
Amortization of finite-lived Intangible assets for the year 2018	14,052,000				14,052,000
Amortization of finite-lived Intangible assets for the year 2019	12,711,000				12,711,000
Acquisition of Comex US Canada Business [Member]
Goodwill, Intangible and Long-Lived Assets (Textual) [Abstract]
Weighted Average useful life of finite-lived intangible assets (in years)		7 years
Goodwill Recognized	0	1,885,000
Acquisitions of Geocel and Pulanna [Member]
Goodwill, Intangible and Long-Lived Assets (Textual) [Abstract]
Goodwill Recognized				60,027,000
Acquisitions of Geocel and Pulanna [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Goodwill, Intangible and Long-Lived Assets (Textual) [Abstract]
Weighted Average useful life of finite-lived intangible assets (in years)			3 years
Acquisitions of Geocel and Pulanna [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Goodwill, Intangible and Long-Lived Assets (Textual) [Abstract]
Weighted Average useful life of finite-lived intangible assets (in years)			15 years
Paint Stores Group [Member]
Goodwill, Intangible and Long-Lived Assets (Textual) [Abstract]
Goodwill Recognized		1,885,000
Global Finishes Group [Member]
Goodwill, Intangible and Long-Lived Assets (Textual) [Abstract]
Goodwill Recognized		17,963,000	24,707,000
Accumulated impairment	791,000				791,000
Consumer Group [Member]
Goodwill, Intangible and Long-Lived Assets (Textual) [Abstract]
Goodwill Recognized			17,357,000
Accumulated impairment	8,113,000				8,113,000
Customer Relationships [Member] | Acquisition of Comex US Canada Business [Member]
Goodwill, Intangible and Long-Lived Assets (Textual) [Abstract]
Finite-lived intangible assets					3,311,000
Customer Relationships [Member] | Acquisitions of Geocel and Pulanna [Member]
Goodwill, Intangible and Long-Lived Assets (Textual) [Abstract]
Finite-lived intangible assets			25,120,000
Intellectual Property [Member] | Acquisitions of Geocel and Pulanna [Member]
Goodwill, Intangible and Long-Lived Assets (Textual) [Abstract]
Finite-lived intangible assets			4,955,000
Noncompete Agreements [Member] | Acquisitions of Geocel and Pulanna [Member]
Goodwill, Intangible and Long-Lived Assets (Textual) [Abstract]
Finite-lived intangible assets			1,335,000
Trademarks [Member]
Goodwill, Intangible and Long-Lived Assets (Textual) [Abstract]
Impairment of intangible assets	0	0
Trademarks [Member] | Acquisition of Comex US Canada Business [Member]
Goodwill, Intangible and Long-Lived Assets (Textual) [Abstract]
Finite-lived intangible assets					1,385,000
Trademarks [Member] | Acquisitions of Geocel and Pulanna [Member]
Goodwill, Intangible and Long-Lived Assets (Textual) [Abstract]
Finite-lived intangible assets			13,000,000
Trademarks [Member] | Paint Stores Group [Member]
Goodwill, Intangible and Long-Lived Assets (Textual) [Abstract]
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Indefinite-lived (Excluding Goodwill)			3,400,000
Trademarks [Member] | Global Finishes Group [Member]
Goodwill, Intangible and Long-Lived Assets (Textual) [Abstract]
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Indefinite-lived (Excluding Goodwill)			686,000
Trademarks [Member] | Acquisition of Comex US Canada Business [Member]
Goodwill, Intangible and Long-Lived Assets (Textual) [Abstract]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	0	466,000
Trademarks [Member] | Acquisitions of Geocel and Pulanna [Member]
Goodwill, Intangible and Long-Lived Assets (Textual) [Abstract]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired				$968,000

Goodwill_Intangible_and_LongLi3

Goodwill, Intangible and Long-Lived Assets (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Carrying value of goodwill by reportable operating segment
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$1,178,687	$1,156,005	$1,108,008	[1]
Acquisitions		19,848	42,064
Currency and other adjustments	-20,341	2,834	5,933
Goodwill, Ending Balance	1,158,346	1,178,687	1,156,005
Paint Stores Group [Member]
Carrying value of goodwill by reportable operating segment
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	287,300	286,784	286,998	[1]
Acquisitions		1,885
Currency and other adjustments	-1,866	-1,369	-214
Goodwill, Ending Balance	285,434	287,300	286,784
Consumer Group [Member]
Carrying value of goodwill by reportable operating segment
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	703,351	706,292	689,279	[1]
Acquisitions			17,357
Currency and other adjustments	-1,145	-2,941	-344
Goodwill, Ending Balance	702,206	703,351	706,292
Global Finishes Group [Member]
Carrying value of goodwill by reportable operating segment
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	178,298	152,287	120,350	[1]
Acquisitions		17,963	24,707
Currency and other adjustments	-17,287	8,048	7,230
Goodwill, Ending Balance	161,011	178,298	152,287
Latin America Coating Group [Member]
Carrying value of goodwill by reportable operating segment
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	9,738	10,642	11,381	[1]
Currency and other adjustments	-43	-904	-739
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$9,695	$9,738	$10,642
[1]	Net of accumulated impairment losses of $8,904 ($8,113 in the Consumer Group and $791 in the Global Finishes Group).

Goodwill_Intangible_and_LongLi4

Goodwill, Intangible and Long-Lived Assets (Details 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Carrying value of intangible assets
Weighted-average amortization period	11 years	9 years	11 years
Gross	$443,263	$442,366	$444,868
Accumulated amortization	-303,902	-279,102	-260,065
Net value	139,361	163,264	184,803
Trademarks with indefinite lives	149,766	150,035	162,750
Total intangible assets	289,127	313,299	347,553
Software [Member]
Carrying value of intangible assets
Weighted-average amortization period	8 years	8 years	8 years
Gross	126,258	114,404	107,779
Accumulated amortization	-88,384	-77,018	-66,106
Net value	37,874	37,386	41,673
All Other [Member]
Carrying value of intangible assets
Weighted-average amortization period	12 years	10 years	12 years
Gross	317,005	327,962	337,089
Accumulated amortization	-215,518	-202,084	-193,959
Net value	$101,487	$125,878	$143,130

Exit_or_Disposal_Activities_Ex

Exit or Disposal Activities Exit or Disposal Activities (Textuals) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	store	store	store
	facility	facility
Exit or Disposal Activities (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of facilities closed	7	5
Stores and branches closed	24	16	19
Provisions in cost of goods sold or SG&A	$13,578,000	$4,619,000	$7,676,000
Adjustments to prior provisions in Other general expense - net		63,000	-4,942,000
Global Finishes Group [Member]
Exit or Disposal Activities (Textual) [Abstract]
Provisions in cost of goods sold or SG&A	4,767,000	278,000	7,363,000
Consumer Group [Member]
Exit or Disposal Activities (Textual) [Abstract]
Provisions in cost of goods sold or SG&A	4,809,000	598,000	0
Paint Stores Group [Member]
Exit or Disposal Activities (Textual) [Abstract]
Provisions in cost of goods sold or SG&A	280,000	1,004,000	313,000
Latin America Coatings Group [Member]
Exit or Disposal Activities (Textual) [Abstract]
Provisions in cost of goods sold or SG&A		123,000	0
Facilities Closed Down Prior to 2014 [Member]
Exit or Disposal Activities (Textual) [Abstract]
Provisions in cost of goods sold or SG&A	3,722,000
Facilities Closed Down Prior to 2013 [Member]
Exit or Disposal Activities (Textual) [Abstract]
Provisions in cost of goods sold or SG&A		2,679,000
Facilities Closed Down Prior to 2012 [Member]
Exit or Disposal Activities (Textual) [Abstract]
Adjustments to prior provisions in Other general expense - net			($4,942,000)

Exit_or_Disposal_Activities_De

Exit or Disposal Activities (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Summary of activity and remaining liabilities associated with qualified exit costs
Beginning Balance	$5,820,000	$8,557,000	$10,400,000
Provisions in Cost of goods sold or SG&A	13,578,000	4,619,000	7,676,000
Actual expenditures charged to accrual	-10,882,000	-7,419,000	-4,577,000
Adjustments to prior provisions in Other general expense - net		63,000	-4,942,000
Ending Balance	8,516,000	5,820,000	8,557,000
Facilities Shutdown Prior to 2012 [Member]
Summary of activity and remaining liabilities associated with qualified exit costs
Beginning Balance	1,365,000
Actual expenditures charged to accrual	-441,000
Ending Balance	924,000
Facilities Shutdown Prior to 2011 [Member]
Summary of activity and remaining liabilities associated with qualified exit costs
Beginning Balance		2,288,000
Actual expenditures charged to accrual		-955,000
Adjustments to prior provisions in Other general expense - net		-36,000
Ending Balance		1,297,000
Facilities shutdown Prior to 2010 [Member]
Summary of activity and remaining liabilities associated with qualified exit costs
Beginning Balance			8,493,000
Actual expenditures charged to accrual			-2,156,000
Adjustments to prior provisions in Other general expense - net			-4,871,000
Ending Balance			1,466,000
Paint Stores Group [Member]
Summary of activity and remaining liabilities associated with qualified exit costs
Provisions in Cost of goods sold or SG&A	280,000	1,004,000	313,000
Consumer Group [Member]
Summary of activity and remaining liabilities associated with qualified exit costs
Provisions in Cost of goods sold or SG&A	4,809,000	598,000	0
Global Finishes Group [Member]
Summary of activity and remaining liabilities associated with qualified exit costs
Provisions in Cost of goods sold or SG&A	4,767,000	278,000	7,363,000
Latin America Coatings Group [Member]
Summary of activity and remaining liabilities associated with qualified exit costs
Provisions in Cost of goods sold or SG&A		123,000	0
Other qualified exit costs [Member] | Paint Stores Group [Member] | Stores Shutdown In 2014 [Member]
Summary of activity and remaining liabilities associated with qualified exit costs
Provisions in Cost of goods sold or SG&A	280,000
Ending Balance	280,000
Other qualified exit costs [Member] | Paint Stores Group [Member] | Facility Shutdown in 2013 [Member]
Summary of activity and remaining liabilities associated with qualified exit costs
Provisions in Cost of goods sold or SG&A	1,499,000
Actual expenditures charged to accrual	-294,000
Ending Balance	1,205,000
Other qualified exit costs [Member] | Paint Stores Group [Member] | Stores shutdown in 2012 [Member]
Summary of activity and remaining liabilities associated with qualified exit costs
Beginning Balance	244,000	313,000
Provisions in Cost of goods sold or SG&A			313,000
Actual expenditures charged to accrual	-51,000	-68,000
Adjustments to prior provisions in Other general expense - net		-1,000
Ending Balance	193,000	244,000	313,000
Other qualified exit costs [Member] | Paint Stores Group [Member] | Stores shutdown in 2011 [Member]
Summary of activity and remaining liabilities associated with qualified exit costs
Beginning Balance			156,000
Actual expenditures charged to accrual			-144,000
Adjustments to prior provisions in Other general expense - net			-12,000
Other qualified exit costs [Member] | Consumer Group [Member] | Facility Shutdown In 2014 [Member]
Summary of activity and remaining liabilities associated with qualified exit costs
Provisions in Cost of goods sold or SG&A	781,000
Ending Balance	781,000
Other qualified exit costs [Member] | Global Finishes Group [Member] | Exit of Business in 2014 [Member]
Summary of activity and remaining liabilities associated with qualified exit costs
Provisions in Cost of goods sold or SG&A	2,267,000
Actual expenditures charged to accrual	-1,187,000
Ending Balance	1,080,000
Other qualified exit costs [Member] | Global Finishes Group [Member] | Stores Shutdown in 2013 [Member]
Summary of activity and remaining liabilities associated with qualified exit costs
Beginning Balance	220,000
Actual expenditures charged to accrual	-82,000
Ending Balance	138,000
Other qualified exit costs [Member] | Global Finishes Group [Member] | Facility shutdown in 2012 [Member]
Summary of activity and remaining liabilities associated with qualified exit costs
Beginning Balance		3,430,000
Provisions in Cost of goods sold or SG&A		83,000	3,430,000
Actual expenditures charged to accrual		-3,530,000
Adjustments to prior provisions in Other general expense - net		100,000
Ending Balance	83,000	83,000	3,430,000
Other qualified exit costs [Member] | Global Finishes Group [Member] | Branches shutdown in 2011 [Member]
Summary of activity and remaining liabilities associated with qualified exit costs
Beginning Balance		290,000	470,000
Actual expenditures charged to accrual		-222,000	-180,000
Ending Balance		68,000	290,000
Other qualified exit costs [Member] | Global Finishes Group [Member] | Branches shutdown in 2010 [Member]
Summary of activity and remaining liabilities associated with qualified exit costs
Beginning Balance			955,000
Actual expenditures charged to accrual			-133,000
Ending Balance			822,000
Severance and related costs [Member] | Paint Stores Group [Member] | Stores Shutdown in 2013 [Member]
Summary of activity and remaining liabilities associated with qualified exit costs
Provisions in Cost of goods sold or SG&A		1,004,000
Actual expenditures charged to accrual		-27,000
Ending Balance		977,000
Severance and related costs [Member] | Paint Stores Group [Member] | Facility Shutdown in 2013 [Member]
Summary of activity and remaining liabilities associated with qualified exit costs
Beginning Balance	977,000
Provisions in Cost of goods sold or SG&A	2,126,000
Actual expenditures charged to accrual	-2,449,000
Ending Balance	654,000
Severance and related costs [Member] | Consumer Group [Member] | Facility Shutdown In 2014 [Member]
Summary of activity and remaining liabilities associated with qualified exit costs
Provisions in Cost of goods sold or SG&A	4,028,000
Actual expenditures charged to accrual	-1,296,000
Ending Balance	2,732,000
Severance and related costs [Member] | Consumer Group [Member] | Facility Shutdown in 2013 [Member]
Summary of activity and remaining liabilities associated with qualified exit costs
Beginning Balance	598,000
Provisions in Cost of goods sold or SG&A	97,000	598,000
Actual expenditures charged to accrual	-695,000
Ending Balance		598,000
Severance and related costs [Member] | Consumer Group [Member] | Manufacturing facilities shutdown in 2011 [Member]
Summary of activity and remaining liabilities associated with qualified exit costs
Beginning Balance			197,000
Actual expenditures charged to accrual			-133,000
Adjustments to prior provisions in Other general expense - net			-64,000
Severance and related costs [Member] | Global Finishes Group [Member] | Exit of Business in 2014 [Member]
Summary of activity and remaining liabilities associated with qualified exit costs
Provisions in Cost of goods sold or SG&A	2,500,000
Actual expenditures charged to accrual	-2,396,000
Ending Balance	104,000
Severance and related costs [Member] | Global Finishes Group [Member] | Stores Shutdown in 2013 [Member]
Summary of activity and remaining liabilities associated with qualified exit costs
Beginning Balance	33,000
Actual expenditures charged to accrual	-5,000
Ending Balance	28,000
Severance and related costs [Member] | Global Finishes Group [Member] | Branches Shutdown in 2013 [Member]
Summary of activity and remaining liabilities associated with qualified exit costs
Provisions in Cost of goods sold or SG&A		278,000
Actual expenditures charged to accrual		-25,000
Ending Balance		253,000
Severance and related costs [Member] | Global Finishes Group [Member] | Facility shutdown in 2012 [Member]
Summary of activity and remaining liabilities associated with qualified exit costs
Beginning Balance	2,177,000	2,236,000
Provisions in Cost of goods sold or SG&A		2,533,000	3,933,000
Actual expenditures charged to accrual	-1,863,000	-2,592,000	-1,697,000
Ending Balance	314,000	2,177,000	2,236,000
Severance and related costs [Member] | Global Finishes Group [Member] | Branches shutdown in 2011 [Member]
Summary of activity and remaining liabilities associated with qualified exit costs
Beginning Balance			129,000
Actual expenditures charged to accrual			-134,000
Adjustments to prior provisions in Other general expense - net			5,000
Severance and related costs [Member] | Latin America Coatings Group [Member] | Facility Shutdown in 2013 [Member]
Summary of activity and remaining liabilities associated with qualified exit costs
Beginning Balance	123,000
Provisions in Cost of goods sold or SG&A		123,000
Actual expenditures charged to accrual	-123,000
Ending Balance		$123,000

Pension_Health_Care_and_Postre2

Pension Health Care and Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	employee	employee	employee
	PensionPlan
Health Care Plans [Abstract]
Number of active employees entitled to receive benefits under health care plans	21,239	19,440	18,609
Cost of benefits includes claims incurred and claims incurred but not reported under health care plans	$202,787	$174,588	$163,011
Defined Contribution Pension Plans [Abstract]
Number of Domestic salaried defined benefit pension plan	1
Number of Domestic hourly defined benefit pension plan	1
Number of Foreign defined benefit pension plans	21
Fair value of plan assets	1,083,715	1,055,349	836,576
Number of foreign defined benefit pension plans unfunded or underfunded	17
Expected Cash Payments - Net 2015	19,563
Expected Cash Payments - Net 2016	20,759
Expected Cash Payments - Net 2017	22,000
Expected Cash Payments - Net 2018	22,884
Expected Cash Payments - Net 2019	23,486
Expected Cash Payments - Net 2020 through 2024	115,694
Target allocation percentage of plan assets in equity securities, minimum	45.00%
Target allocation percentage of plan assets in equity securities, maximum	65.00%
Target allocation percentage of plan assets fixed income securities, minimum	30.00%
Target allocation percentage of plan assets fixed income securities, maximum	40.00%
Retired employees entitled to receive postretirement benefits	4,443	4,419	4,402
Defined benefit plan ultimate health care cost trend rate and Prescription drug cost increase rate (as a percentage)	5.00%
Year in which health care cost trend rate and prescription drug cost rate reaches ultimate trend rate	2022
Reduction in accumulated postretirement benefit obligation for subsidy	21,400
Effect of subsidy on net period postretirement benefit cost	0	0	5,712
Effect of subsidy on amortization of actuarial experience gain	0	0	5,278
Effect of subsidy on interest cost	0	0	434
Domestic Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Contribution Pension Plans [Abstract]
Accumulated Benefit Obligation	648,480	577,736	460,591
Projected benefit obligation	653,338	582,036	466,827	410,029
Fair value of plan assets	896,071	870,386	703,563	614,463
Excess/(deficiency) of plan assets	242,733	288,350	236,736
Equity investment in domestic defined benefit pension plan assets, shares	300,000
Market value of common shares invested in defined benefit pension plan assets	78,912
Share equity investments in the domestic defined benefit pension plan assets (as a percentage)	8.80%
Dividends received on the common stock	660
Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Contribution Pension Plans [Abstract]
Accumulated Benefit Obligation	203,610	187,670	142,769
Projected benefit obligation	234,524	222,996	168,758	141,465
Fair value of plan assets	187,645	184,963	133,013	118,060
Excess/(deficiency) of plan assets	-46,879	-38,033	-35,745
Increase in combined projected benefit obligations primarily due to changes in plan assumptions		11,527
Estimated future employer contributions	6,281
Domestic Salaried Plan Between January 1, 2002 and September 30, 2011 [Member]
Defined Contribution Pension Plans [Abstract]
Threshold service requirement for defined benefit pension plan eligibility	6 months
Domestic Salaried Plan Between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2004 [Member]
Defined Contribution Pension Plans [Abstract]
Employee matching contribution (as a percentage)	6.00%
Domestic Salaried Plan After December 31, 2004 [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Defined Contribution Pension Plans [Abstract]
Employee matching contribution (as a percentage)	2.00%
Domestic Salaried Plan After December 31, 2004 [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Defined Contribution Pension Plans [Abstract]
Employee matching contribution (as a percentage)	7.00%
Revised Domestic Salaried Plan After December 31, 2001 [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Defined Contribution Pension Plans [Abstract]
Employee matching contribution (as a percentage)	2.00%
Revised Domestic Salaried Plan After December 31, 2001 [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Defined Contribution Pension Plans [Abstract]
Employee matching contribution (as a percentage)	7.00%
Domestic salaried and hourly defined benefit pension plan [Member]
Defined Contribution Pension Plans [Abstract]
Projected benefit obligation	653,338	582,036
Fair value of plan assets	896,071	870,386
Excess/(deficiency) of plan assets	242,733	288,350
Domestic salaried defined benefit pension plan [Member]
Defined Contribution Pension Plans [Abstract]
Projected benefit obligation			313,964
Fair value of plan assets			559,552
Excess/(deficiency) of plan assets			245,588
Domestic hourly defined benefit pension plan [Member]
Defined Contribution Pension Plans [Abstract]
Projected benefit obligation			152,863
Fair value of plan assets			144,011
Excess/(deficiency) of plan assets			-8,852
Unfunded or underfunded foreign defined benefit pension plans [Member]
Defined Contribution Pension Plans [Abstract]
Accumulated Benefit Obligation	143,324
Projected benefit obligation	171,841
Fair value of plan assets	117,623
Excess/(deficiency) of plan assets	-54,218
Defined Benefit Pension [Member]
Defined Contribution Pension Plans [Abstract]
Expected Cash Payments - Net 2015	64,067
Expected Cash Payments - Net 2016	64,285
Expected Cash Payments - Net 2017	64,940
Expected Cash Payments - Net 2018	65,478
Expected Cash Payments - Net 2019	65,636
Expected Cash Payments - Net 2020 through 2024	286,119
Amortization of actuarial losses (gains)	5,311
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	1,310
Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions [Member]
Defined Contribution Pension Plans [Abstract]
Projected benefit obligation	295,149	286,651	338,134	316,795
Amortization of actuarial losses (gains)	1,011
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	-4,529
Canada [Member]
Defined Contribution Pension Plans [Abstract]
Number of Foreign defined benefit pension plans	3
Domestic Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Contribution Pension Plans [Abstract]
Contributions by company	32,384	27,803	25,147
Domestic Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Defined Contribution Pension Plans [Abstract]
Contributions by company (as a percentage)	2.00%
Domestic Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Defined Contribution Pension Plans [Abstract]
Contributions by company (as a percentage)	7.00%
Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Contribution Pension Plans [Abstract]
Contributions by company	$4,592	$1,428	$4,621

Pension_Health_Care_and_Postre3

Pension, Health Care and Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Investments at fair value:
Fair value of plan assets	$1,083,715		$1,055,349		$836,576
Short-term Investments [Member]
Investments at fair value:
Fair value of plan assets	14,846	[1]	15,055	[1]	68,795	[1]
Equity investments [Member]
Investments at fair value:
Fair value of plan assets	739,358	[2]	736,873	[2]	490,993	[2]
Fixed Income Investments [Member]
Investments at fair value:
Fair value of plan assets	285,042	[3]	255,927	[3]	239,558	[3]
Other Assets [Member]
Investments at fair value:
Fair value of plan assets	44,469	[4]	47,494	[4]	37,230	[4]
Domestic Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Net pension costs:
Service costs	21,342		23,176		19,061
Interest costs	26,266		18,444		17,442
Expected returns on plan assets	-51,293		-42,937		-44,841
Amortization of prior service costs	1,837		1,823		1,591
Amortization of actuarial losses			13,147		22,205
Ongoing pension (credits) costs	-1,848		13,653		15,458
Net pension (credits) costs	-1,848		13,653		15,458
Other changes in plan assets and projected benefit obligation recognized in Cumulative other comprehensive loss (before taxes):
Net actuarial losses (gains) arising during the year	47,785		-90,669		-26,459
Prior service costs during the year	2,242		1,756		2,495
Amortization of prior service costs	-1,837		-1,823		-1,591
Amortization of actuarial losses			-13,147		-22,205
Total recognized in Cumulative other comprehensive loss	48,190		-103,883		-47,760
Total recognized in net pension costs (credits) and Cumulative other comprehensive loss	46,342		-90,230		-32,302
Investments at fair value:
Fair value of plan assets	896,071		870,386		703,563		614,463
Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Net pension costs:
Service costs	5,261		5,039		3,654
Interest costs	10,422		7,940		6,927
Expected returns on plan assets	-10,836		-7,487		-6,799
Amortization of actuarial losses	1,413		1,716		1,022
Ongoing pension (credits) costs	6,260		7,208		4,804
Settlement (credits) costs	-3,422		-220		47
Net pension (credits) costs	2,838		6,988		4,851
Other changes in plan assets and projected benefit obligation recognized in Cumulative other comprehensive loss (before taxes):
Net actuarial losses (gains) arising during the year	21,792		-5,487		14,131
Amortization of actuarial losses	-1,413		-1,716		-1,022
Exchange rate (loss) gain recognized during year	-7,988		819		1,464
Total recognized in Cumulative other comprehensive loss	12,391		-6,384		14,573
Total recognized in net pension costs (credits) and Cumulative other comprehensive loss	15,229		604		19,424
Investments at fair value:
Fair value of plan assets	$187,645		$184,963		$133,013		$118,060
[1]	This category includes a full range of high quality, short-term money market securities.
[2]	This category includes actively managed equity assets that track primarily to the S&P 500.
[3]	This category includes government and corporate bonds that track primarily to the Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index.
[4]	This category consists of venture capital funds.

Pension_Health_Care_and_Postre4

Pension, Health Care and Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (Details 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Changes in fair value of defined benefit pension plan assets classified as level 3
Balances at end of year	$1,083,715		$1,055,349		$836,576
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Changes in fair value of defined benefit pension plan assets classified as level 3
Balances at end of year	521,610		490,311		442,897
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Changes in fair value of defined benefit pension plan assets classified as level 3
Balances at end of year	16,034		17,941		18,850
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Changes in fair value of defined benefit pension plan assets classified as level 3
Balances at end of year	546,071		547,097		374,829
Short-term Investments [Member]
Changes in fair value of defined benefit pension plan assets classified as level 3
Balances at end of year	14,846	[1]	15,055	[1]	68,795	[1]
Short-term Investments [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Changes in fair value of defined benefit pension plan assets classified as level 3
Balances at end of year	14,846	[1]	13,114	[1]	68,795	[1]
Short-term Investments [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Changes in fair value of defined benefit pension plan assets classified as level 3
Balances at end of year			1,941	[1]
Equity Funds [Member]
Changes in fair value of defined benefit pension plan assets classified as level 3
Balances at end of year	739,358	[2]	736,873	[2]	490,993	[2]
Equity Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Changes in fair value of defined benefit pension plan assets classified as level 3
Balances at end of year	334,816	[2]	317,094	[2]	247,440	[2]
Equity Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Changes in fair value of defined benefit pension plan assets classified as level 3
Balances at end of year	404,542	[2]	419,779	[2]	243,553	[2]
Fixed Income Investments [Member]
Changes in fair value of defined benefit pension plan assets classified as level 3
Balances at end of year	285,042	[3]	255,927	[3]	239,558	[3]
Fixed Income Investments [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Changes in fair value of defined benefit pension plan assets classified as level 3
Balances at end of year	143,513	[3]	130,550	[3]	108,282	[3]
Fixed Income Investments [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Changes in fair value of defined benefit pension plan assets classified as level 3
Balances at end of year
Fixed Income Investments [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Changes in fair value of defined benefit pension plan assets classified as level 3
Balances at end of year	141,529	[3]	125,377	[3]	131,276	[3]
Other Assets [Member]
Changes in fair value of defined benefit pension plan assets classified as level 3
Balances at end of year	44,469	[4]	47,494	[4]	37,230	[4]
Other Assets [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Changes in fair value of defined benefit pension plan assets classified as level 3
Balances at end of year	28,435	[4]	29,553	[4]	18,380	[4]
Other Assets [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Changes in fair value of defined benefit pension plan assets classified as level 3
Balances at beginning of year	17,941	[4]	18,850	[4]	20,900
Dispositions	-4,320		-4,068		-3,827
Realized and Unrealized Gains	2,413		3,159		1,777
Balances at end of year	$16,034	[4]	$17,941	[4]	$18,850	[4]
[1]	This category includes a full range of high quality, short-term money market securities.
[2]	This category includes actively managed equity assets that track primarily to the S&P 500.
[3]	This category includes government and corporate bonds that track primarily to the Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index.
[4]	This category consists of venture capital funds.

Pension_Health_Care_and_Postre5

Pension, Health Care and Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Plan assets:
Balances at end of year	$1,083,715	$1,055,349	$836,576
Assets and liabilities recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Deferred pension assets	250,144	302,446	249,911
Other accruals	-508,581	-513,433	-513,717
Other long-term liabilities	-628,309	-688,168	-614,109
Domestic Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligations at end of year	648,480	577,736	460,591
Projected benefit obligations:
Balances at beginning of year	582,036	466,827	410,029
Service costs	21,342	23,176	19,061
Interest costs	26,266	18,444	17,442
Actuarial losses (gains)	68,748	-5,488	48,346
Acquisitions of businesses and other	2,242	113,174	2,496
Benefits paid	-47,296	-34,097	-30,547
Balances at end of year	653,338	582,036	466,827
Plan assets:
Balances at beginning of year	870,386	703,563	614,463
Actual returns on plan assets	72,256	128,117	119,647
Acquisitions of businesses and other	725	72,803
Benefits paid	-47,296	-34,097	-30,547
Balances at end of year	896,071	870,386	703,563
Excess (deficient) plan assets over projected benefit obligations	242,733	288,350	236,736
Assets and liabilities recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Deferred pension assets	242,733	288,350	245,588
Other long-term liabilities			-8,852
Total	242,733	288,350	236,736
Amounts recognized in Cumulative other comprehensive loss:
Net actuarial losses	-107,057	-59,272	-163,088
Prior service costs	-6,448	-6,043	-6,110
Total recognized in Cumulative other comprehensive loss	-113,505	-65,315	-169,198
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine projected benefit obligations:
Discount rate	3.95%	4.65%	3.73%
Rate of compensation increase	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net pension costs:
Discount rate	4.65%	3.73%	4.40%
Expected long-term rate of return on assets	6.00%	6.00%	7.50%
Rate of compensation increase	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%
Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligations at end of year	203,610	187,670	142,769
Projected benefit obligations:
Balances at beginning of year	222,996	168,758	141,465
Service costs	5,261	5,039	3,654
Interest costs	10,422	7,940	6,927
Actuarial losses (gains)	32,551	5,939	17,532
Acquisitions of businesses and other	-10,062	39,622	-975
Effect of foreign exchange	-18,987	1,549	6,633
Benefits paid	-7,657	-5,851	-6,478
Balances at end of year	234,524	222,996	168,758
Plan assets:
Balances at beginning of year	184,963	133,013	118,060
Actual returns on plan assets	20,240	20,316	10,201
Acquisitions of businesses and other	3,958	36,106	6,205
Effect of foreign exchange	-13,859	1,379	5,025
Benefits paid	-7,657	-5,851	-6,478
Balances at end of year	187,645	184,963	133,013
Excess (deficient) plan assets over projected benefit obligations	-46,879	-38,033	-35,745
Assets and liabilities recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Deferred pension assets	7,411	14,096	4,323
Other accruals	-810	-1,126	-869
Other long-term liabilities	-53,480	-51,003	-39,199
Total	-46,879	-38,033	-35,745
Amounts recognized in Cumulative other comprehensive loss:
Net actuarial losses	-47,574	-35,183	-41,567
Total recognized in Cumulative other comprehensive loss	($47,574)	($35,183)	($41,567)
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine projected benefit obligations:
Discount rate	3.92%	4.89%	4.58%
Rate of compensation increase	3.70%	4.31%	4.08%
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net pension costs:
Discount rate	4.89%	4.58%	4.94%
Expected long-term rate of return on assets	5.58%	5.67%	6.04%
Rate of compensation increase	4.31%	4.08%	4.04%

Pension_Health_Care_and_Postre6

Pension, Health Care and Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Liabilities recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Postretirement benefits other than pensions	($277,892)	($268,874)	($320,223)
Other accruals	-508,581	-513,433	-513,717
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligation:
Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP) trend rate (as a percentage)	8.00%
Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions [Member]
Benefit obligation:
Balances at beginning of year	286,651	338,134	316,795
Service costs	2,434	3,061	2,943
Interest costs	12,782	12,183	13,520
Actuarial loss (gain)	27,757	-50,593	18,961
Plan amendments	-19,043	-2,503
Benefits paid	-15,432	-13,631	-14,085
Balances at end of year	295,149	286,651	338,134
Liabilities recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Postretirement benefits other than pensions	-277,892	-268,874	-320,223
Other accruals	-17,257	-17,777	-17,911
Total	-295,149	-286,651	-338,134
Amounts recognized in Cumulative other comprehensive loss:
Net actuarial losses	-36,044	-8,287	-62,814
Prior service costs	21,043	2,503	328
Total recognized in Cumulative other comprehensive loss	($15,001)	($5,784)	($62,486)
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligation:
Discount rate	3.90%	4.60%	3.70%
Health care cost trend rate - pre-65 (as a percentage)	7.00%	7.50%	8.00%
Health care cost trend rate - post-65 (as a percentage)	6.50%	6.50%	8.00%
Prescription drug cost increases (as a percentage)	6.50%	7.00%	8.00%
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost:
Discount rate	4.60%	3.70%	4.40%
Health care cost trend rate - pre-65 (as a percentage)	7.50%	8.00%	8.00%
Health care cost trend rate - post-65 (as a percentage)	6.50%	8.00%	8.00%
Prescription drug cost increases (as a percentage)	7.00%	8.00%	8.00%

Pension_Health_Care_and_Postre7

Pension, Health Care and Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (Details 4) (Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions [Member]
Net pension costs:
Service costs	$2,434	$3,061	$2,943
Interest costs	12,782	12,183	13,520
Amortization of actuarial losses		3,934	1,715
Amortization of prior service credit	-503	-328	-656
Net pension (credits) costs	14,713	18,850	17,522
Other changes in projected benefit obligation recognized in Cumulative other comprehensive loss (before taxes):
Net actuarial losses (gains) arising during the year	27,757	-50,593	18,961
Prior service costs during the year	-19,043	-2,503
Amortization of actuarial losses		-3,934	-1,715
Amortization of prior service credit	503	328	656
Total recognized in Cumulative other comprehensive loss	9,217	-56,702	17,902
Total recognized in net pension costs (credits) and Cumulative other comprehensive loss	$23,930	($37,852)	$35,424

Recovered_Sheet1

Pension Health Care And Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (Details 5) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Significant effect on amounts reported for service and interest rate component and postretirement health care benefit obligation
Effect on total of service and interest cost components, One-Percentage-Point, Increase	$23
Effect on total of service and interest cost components, One-Percentage-Point, Decrease	-66
Effect on the postretirement benefit obligation One-Percentage-Point, Increase	734
Effect on the postretirement benefit obligation One-Percentage-Point, Decrease	-1,697
Retiree health care benefit cash payments
Expected Cash Payments, 2015	19,563
Medicare Prescription Reimbursement, 2015	-2,305
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Cash Payments, Net, 2015	17,258
Expected Cash Payments, 2016	20,759
Medicare Prescription Reimbursement, 2016	-2,474
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Cash Payments, Net, 2016	18,285
Expected Cash Payments, 2017	22,000
Medicare Prescription Reimbursement, 2017	-2,667
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Cash Payments, Net, 2017	19,333
Expected Cash Payments, 2018	22,884
Medicare Prescription Reimbursement, 2018	-2,888
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Cash Payments, Net, 2018	19,996
Expected Cash Payments, 2019	23,486
Medicare Prescription Reimbursement, 2019	-3,107
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Cash Payments, Net, 2019	20,379
Expected Cash Payments, 2020 through 2024	115,694
Medicare Prescription Reimbursement, 2020 through 2024	-16,779
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Cash Payments, Net, 2020 through 2024	98,915
Expected Benefit Cash Payments	224,386
Medicare Prescription Reimbursement	-30,220
Expected Benefit Cash Payments, Net	$194,166

Debt_Details

Debt (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Long-term debt
Long-term debt	$1,122,715	$1,122,373	$1,632,165
1.35% Senior notes due 2017 [Member]
Long-term debt
Long-term debt	699,460	699,277	699,091
4.00% Senior notes due 2042 [Member]
Long-term debt
Long-term debt	298,595	298,545	298,493
7.375% Debentures due 2027 [Member] | Subordinated Debentures Subject To Mandatory Redemption [Member]
Long-term debt
Long-term debt	119,369	119,366	129,060
7.45% Debentures due 2097 [Member] | Subordinated Debentures Subject To Mandatory Redemption [Member]
Long-term debt
Long-term debt	3,500	3,500	3,500
2.02% to 8.00% Promissory Notes Through 2029 [Member]
Long-term debt
Long-term debt	1,791	1,685	2,109
3.125% Senior notes due 2014 [Member]
Long-term debt
Long-term debt			$499,912

Debt_Details_Textual

Debt (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 04, 2012
Additional Debt (Textual) [Abstract]
Maturities of long-term debt 2015	$3,265,000
Maturities of long-term debt 2016	678,000
Maturities of long-term debt 2017	700,150,000
Maturities of long-term debt 2018	153,000
Maturities of long-term debt 2019	156,000
Interest expense on long-term debt	56,408,000	57,949,000	36,188,000
1.35% Senior notes due 2017 [Member]
Debt (Textual) [Abstract]
Issue of debt securities				700,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate (as a percentage)				1.35%
4.00% Senior notes due 2042 [Member]
Debt (Textual) [Abstract]
Issue of debt securities				$300,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate (as a percentage)				4.00%

Debt_Details_Textual_1

Debt (Details Textual 1)

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Nov. 14, 2012

Dec. 31, 2014

Nov. 14, 2012

Jul. 08, 2011

Dec. 31, 2014

Jul. 08, 2011

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 19, 2012

Sep. 19, 2012

Jun. 29, 2012

Mar. 18, 2013

Jun. 29, 2012

Jan. 30, 2012

Jan. 30, 2012

Apr. 23, 2012

Apr. 23, 2012

Jul. 08, 2011

Jul. 08, 2011

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Three year credit agreement [Member]

Three year credit agreement [Member]

Three year credit agreement [Member]

Five year senior unsecured revolving credit agreement [Member]

Five year senior unsecured revolving credit agreement [Member]

Five year senior unsecured revolving credit agreement [Member]

Three year senior unsecured revolving credit agreement [Member]

Domestic Commercial Paper Program [Member]

Domestic Commercial Paper Program [Member]

Domestic Commercial Paper Program [Member]

Foreign Programs [Member]

Foreign Programs [Member]

Foreign Programs [Member]

Sherwin Williams Luxembourg [Member]

Sherwin Williams Luxembourg [Member]

Sherwin Williams Canada Inc [Member]

Sherwin Williams Canada Inc [Member]

Sherwin Williams Canada Inc [Member]

Five Year Agreement Dated January 30, 2012 [Member]

Five Year Agreement Dated January 30, 2012 [Member]

Five year agreement dated April 23, 2012 [Member]

Five year agreement dated April 23, 2012 [Member]

Amended Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit [Member]

Amended Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit [Member]

Contract

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

EUR (€)

CAD

CAD

USD ($)

USD ($)

extension

USD ($)

Debt (Textual) [Abstract]

Short-term borrowing outstanding

$69,035,000

$679,436,000

$96,551,000

$625,860,000

$0

$0

$53,576,000

$96,551,000

$69,035,000

Weighted average interest rate

0.30%

6.00%

7.80%

2.80%

Covenant terms

On January 30, 2012, the Company entered into a five-year credit agreement, subsequently amended on multiple dates, which gives the Company the right to borrow and to obtain the issuance, renewal, extension and increase of a letter of credit

On April 23, 2012, the Company entered into a five-year credit agreement, subsequently amended on multiple dates, which gives the Company the right to borrow and to obtain the issuance, renewal, extension and increase of a letter of credit

On November 14, 2012, the Company entered into a three-year credit agreement, subsequently amended on multiple dates, which gives the Company the right to borrow and to obtain the issuance, renewal, extension and increase of a letter of credit

Maximum letter of credit facility

250,000,000

1,050,000,000

95,000,000

150,000,000

75,000,000

500,000,000

250,000,000

1,300,000,000

Line of Credit Facility, Number of Extensions Allowed

2

Line of Credit Facility, Extension Period Allowed

1 year

Number of credit agreements

3

Term (in years)

3 years

5 years

5 years

5 years

5 years

5 years

Aggregate amount of credit facility

97,000,000

Long-term borrowing outstanding

$0

$0

Other_LongTerm_Liabilities_Det

Other Long-Term Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	ManufacturingSite
Other Long-Term Liabilities (Textual) [Abstract]
Accruals for extended environmental-related activities	$114,281	$86,647	$97,220
Estimated costs of current investigation and remediation activities included in other accruals	16,868	15,385	17,101
Amount by which unaccrued maximum of estimated range exceeds minimum accruals	89,733
Number of manufacturing sites accounting for the majority of the accrual for environmental-related activities	2
Accruals for environmental-related activities of sites accounting for the majority of the accrual for environmental-related activities	82,707
Percentage of accrual for environmental-related activities related to sites accounting for the majority of the accrual for environmental-related activities	63.10%
Amount by which unaccrued maximum of estimated range exceeds minimum	89,733
Amount of unaccrued maximum related to sites accounting for the majority of the accrual for environmental-related activities	$57,927
Percentage of aggregate unaccrued maximum related to sites accounting for the majority of the accrual for environmental-related activities	64.60%

Litigation_Details

Litigation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 27, 2014	Jun. 30, 2008	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
						defendant	defendant
							jury_trial
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
DOL settlement accrual	$80,000,000	$80,000,000		($80,000,000)	$80,000,000
After tax charge to earnings for DOL settlement		49,163,000			49,163,000
Import tax examination, liability adjustment from settlement with taxing authority, after tax			21,858,000
Abatement of Alleged Public Nuisance [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of additional plaintiffs						2
Trial by Jury, State of Rhode Island [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of Jury Trials							2
Number of additional defendants							2
Santa Clara County, California Proceeding [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Amount payable jointly and severally for litigation						1,150,000,000
Titanium Dioxide Antitrust Litigation [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Settlement gain related to litigation settlement								21,420,000
Cost of Sales [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Import tax examination, liability adjustment from settlement with taxing authority									28,711,000
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Import tax examination, liability adjustment from settlement with taxing authority									$2,873,000

Capital_Stock_Details

Capital Stock (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Capital Stock (Textual) [Abstract]
Common stock authorized	300,000,000
Preferred stock authorized	30,000,000
Common stock reserved for future grants of restricted stock	10,304,816	12,121,210	13,558,565
Common stock held in revocable trust	487,075	486,138	484,872
Schedule of Capital Stock
Common Shares Outstanding, ending	94,704,173	100,129,380	103,270,067
2006 Employee Plan [Member]
Capital Stock (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of shares authorized under Employee Plan	19,200,000
Treasury Stock [Member]
Schedule of Capital Stock
Common Shares in Treasury, beginning	12,772,498	8,352,904	3,601,159
Shares tendered as payment for option rights exercised	7,229	2,697	7,766
Shares tendered in connection with grants of restricted stock	108,352	116,897	143,979
Treasury stock purchased	6,925,000	4,300,000	4,600,000
Common Shares in Treasury, ending	19,813,079	12,772,498	8,352,904
Common Stock [Member]
Schedule of Capital Stock
Common Shares Outstanding, beginning	100,129,380	103,270,067	103,854,234
Shares tendered as payment for option rights exercised	-7,229	-2,697	-7,766
Shares issued for exercise of option rights	1,423,395	1,127,942	4,140,822
Shares tendered in connection with grants of restricted stock	-108,352	-116,897	-143,979
Net shares issued for grants of restricted stock	191,979	150,965	26,756
Treasury stock purchased	-6,925,000	-4,300,000	-4,600,000
Common Shares Outstanding, ending	94,704,173	100,129,380	103,270,067
Cumulative Preferred Stock [Member]
Capital Stock (Textual) [Abstract]
Preferred stock authorized	3,000,000
Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Capital Stock (Textual) [Abstract]
Preferred stock authorized	1,000,000

Stock_Purchase_Plan_and_Prefer1

Stock Purchase Plan and Preferred Stock (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Aug. 01, 2006
			vote
			employee
Stock Purchase Plan and Preferred Stock (Textual) [Abstract]
Employees contributed to company's ESOP			33,958
Participants contribution on a pretax basis only of their annual compensation, maximum (as a percentage)			20.00%
Percentage of matching contribution to ESOP Plan by employer			100.00%
Maximum percentage of eligible contribution plan up to which employer contributes			6.00%
Company contributions to ESOP on behalf of participating employees representing amounts authorized by employees to be withheld from their earnings on pre-tax basis			$109,036	$97,381	$88,363
Company's matching contributions to the ESOP			74,574	67,428	142,791
DOL settlement	80,000	80,000		-80,000	80,000
Employee stock ownership plan common stock shares held in ESOP (in shares)			12,456,468
Percentage of total voting shares outstanding held by the ESOP			13.20%
Employee stock ownership plan ESOP series 2 preferred stock contributed to ESOP (in shares)						500,000
Employee stock ownership plan ESOP series 2 preferred stock par value (usd per share)						$0
Cumulative quarterly dividends per share on convertible serial preferred stock (in usd per share)						$11.25
Value of Series 2 Preferred stock issued to ESOP						500,000
Amount borrowed for acquisition of Series 2 Preferred stock						500,000
Interest rate on amount borrowed for acquisition of Series 2 Preferred stock						5.50%
Term for payment of borrowed amount for acquisition of Series 2 Preferred stock in equal quarterly payments (in years)			10 years
Number of votes for each Series 2 Preferred share under ESOP			1
Allocated or committed to be released shares of Series 2 Preferred stock outstanding (in shares)		0	0	0	0
Number of redeemed shares of Series 2 Preferred stock			40,406,000	60,681,000	59,187,000
Fair value of Series 2 Preferred stock		$210,773		$86,309	$210,773

Stock_Based_Compensation_Detai

Stock- Based Compensation (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	right
Stock-Based Compensation (Textual) [Abstract]
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	$76,099
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense, Weighted-average period recognition	11 months 30 days
Stock-based compensation expense	64,735	58,004	54,348
Income tax benefit related to stock-based compensation expense	24,816	22,368	20,948
Reduction in Basic Net Income per common share due to stock-based compensation expense	$0.41
Reduction in Diluted Net Income Per Common Share Due to Stock Based Compensation Expense	$0.40
Portion of option rights generally becoming exercisable to the extent of optioned shares	0.33
Expiration period	10 years
Award vesting period	3 years
Weighted-average per share fair value of option rights granted during the year, Optioned Shares	$43.11	$41.91	$32.74
Fair Value of Options Vested	32,313	28,658	25,879
Outstanding option rights	5,699,892	6,484,592	6,748,126	9,857,695
Weighted average remaining term for options outstanding (in years)	6 years 6 months 24 days	6 years 9 months 1 day	6 years 11 months 27 days
Weighted average remaining term for options exercisable (in years)	5 years 7 months 16 days	5 years 8 months 15 days	5 years 9 months 15 days
Shares reserved for future grants of option rights restricted stock, Optioned Shares	4,604,924	5,636,618	6,810,439
Employees [Member]
Stock-Based Compensation (Textual) [Abstract]
Intrinsic value of exercised option rights	195,097	129,742	298,883
Non-Employee Directors [Member]
Stock-Based Compensation (Textual) [Abstract]
Intrinsic value of exercised option rights	0	525	1,412
Non-employee Plan [Member]
Stock-Based Compensation (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of appreciation rights, restricted stock units, performance shares or performance units granted	0
Award vesting period	3 years
Outstanding option rights	0	0	3,500
Stock Option [Member]
Stock-Based Compensation (Textual) [Abstract]
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	39,413
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense, Weighted-average period recognition	1 year 0 months 10 days
Estimated Forfeiture Rate	2.60%
Restricted Stock [Member] | Employees [Member]
Stock-Based Compensation (Textual) [Abstract]
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	35,519
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense, Weighted-average period recognition	11 months 6 days
Restricted Stock [Member] | Non-Employee Directors [Member]
Stock-Based Compensation (Textual) [Abstract]
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	$1,167
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense, Weighted-average period recognition	11 months 4 days
Performance Shares [Member]
Stock-Based Compensation (Textual) [Abstract]
Service period required for vesting of grants	3 years
Time Shares [Member]
Stock-Based Compensation (Textual) [Abstract]
Award vesting period	3 years
2006 Employee Plan [Member]
Stock-Based Compensation (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of shares authorized under Employee Plan	19,200,000
Number of appreciation rights, restricted stock units, performance shares or performance units granted	0
Number of shares authorized under 2006 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan	200,000
2006 Employee Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Stock-Based Compensation (Textual) [Abstract]
Service period required for vesting of grants	3 years

StockBased_Compensation_Detail

Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Option rights
Risk-free interest rate	1.47%	1.37%	0.78%
Expected life of option rights	5 years 1 month 6 days	5 years 1 month 6 days	5 years 1 month 10 days
Expected dividend yield of stock	1.19%	1.32%	1.43%
Expected volatility of stock	22.30%	28.10%	27.40%
Company's non-qualified and incentive stock option right activity for employees and nonemployee directors
Outstanding beginning of the year, Optioned Shares	6,484,592	6,748,126	9,857,695
Granted, Optioned Shares	672,565	898,728	1,089,240
Exercised, Optioned Shares	-1,421,045	-1,127,942	-4,140,822
Forfeited, Optioned Shares	-31,617	-33,278	-57,730
Expired, Optioned Shares	-4,603	-1,042	-257
Outstanding end of the year, Optioned Shares	5,699,892	6,484,592	6,748,126
Exercisable at end of year, Optioned Shares	4,095,246	4,424,674	4,245,891
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]
Outstanding beginning of the year, Weighted- Average Exercise Price Per Share (in usd per share)	$96.25	$79.39	$60.31
Granted, Weighted- Average Exercise Price Per Share (in usd per share)	$224.65	$179.67	$152.93
Exercised, Weighted- Average Exercise Price Per Share (in usd per share)	$70.71	$61.46	$53.40
Forfeited, Weighted- Average Exercise Price Per Share (in usd per share)	$158.92	$115.24	$78.01
Expired, Weighted- Average Exercise Price Per Share (in usd per share)	$86.66	$79.73	$72.65
Outstanding end of the year, Weighted- Average Exercise Price Per Share (in usd per share)	$117.31	$96.25	$79.39
Exercisable at end of year, Weighted- Average Exercise Price Per Share (in usd per share)	$87.79	$71.86	$61.43
Outstanding end of year, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$830,647	$563,554	$494,699
Exercisable at end of year, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$717,691	$492,689	$386,484

Stock_Based_Compensation_Detai1

Stock- Based Compensation (Details 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Summary of grants of restricted stock to certain officers, key employees and non-employee directors
Restricted stock granted (in shares)	201,412	172,406	301,856
Restricted Stock [Member]
Summary of grants of restricted stock to certain officers, key employees and non-employee directors
Restricted stock granted (in shares)	201,412	172,406	301,856
Weighted-average fair value of restricted stock granted during the year (in usd per share)	191.6	163.63	99.47

Stock_Based_Compensation_Detai2

Stock- Based Compensation (Details 2)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Summary of the Company's restricted stock activity
Outstanding at beginning of year	749,382	919,748	1,304,891
Granted	201,412	172,406	301,856
Vested	-294,438	-334,750	-412,859
Forfeited	-1,080	-8,022	-274,140
Outstanding at end of year	655,276	749,382	919,748

Other_Details

Other (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other general expense - net
Provisions for environmental matters - net	$36,046	($2,751)	$6,736
Loss on disposition of assets	1,436	5,207	3,454
Net expense (income) of exit or disposal activities		63	-4,942
Total	37,482	2,519	5,248
Other expense (income) - net
Dividend and royalty income	-4,864	-5,904	-4,666
Net expense from financing activities	11,367	9,829	9,220
Foreign currency transaction related losses (gains)	3,603	7,669	-3,071
Other income	-37,524	-22,684	-21,074
Other expense	12,018	12,026	9,651
Total	($15,400)	$936	($9,940)

Other_Textual_Details

Other (Textual) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
		Contract	Contract
		OptionPlan	OptionPlan
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of foreign currency option outstanding	0	0	0
Number of foreign forward contracts outstanding	0	0	0
Global Finishes Group [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gain on early termination of customer agreement	$6,336
Administrative [Member] | Acquisition of Comex US Canada Business [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Realized gain on final asset valuations	$6,198

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Deferred tax assets:
Exit costs, environ-mental and other similar items	$56,441	$45,322	$45,403
Deferred employee benefit items	55,765	32,600	93,039
Other items (each less than 5 percent of total assets)	85,841	53,727	73,388
Total deferred tax assets	198,047	131,649	211,830
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization	227,765	214,696	202,891
Current:
Federal	308,283	229,997	207,791
Foreign	53,045	42,543	51,264
State and local	50,049	33,082	27,642
Total current	411,377	305,622	286,697
Deferred:
Federal	-14,974	30,384	8,692
Foreign	-7,361	-9,041	-16,964
State and local	3,297	6,432	-2,150
Total deferred	-19,038	27,775	-10,422
Total provisions for income taxes	$392,339	$333,397	$276,275

Income_Taxes_Details_1

Income Taxes (Details 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Components of income before income taxes as used for income tax purposes
Domestic	$1,113,527	$969,790	$712,873
Foreign	144,698	116,168	194,436
Total	1,258,225	1,085,958	907,309
Reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective tax rate
Statutory federal income tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Effect of State and local income taxes	2.80%	2.40%	1.80%
Effect of Investment vehicles	-2.50%	-2.10%	-2.10%
Effect of Domestic production activities	-2.50%	-2.20%	-1.90%
Effect of Other - net	-1.60%	-2.40%	-2.40%
Effective tax rate	31.20%	30.70%	30.40%
Reconciliation of unrecognized tax
Balance at beginning of year	30,997	28,119	29,666
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	3,370	3,480	3,760
Additions for tax positions of prior years	4,428	5,059	7,392
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	-2,349	-3,378	-6,583
Settlements	-4,089	-103	-1,139
Lapses of Statutes of Limitations	-797	-2,180	-4,977
Balance at end of year	$31,560	$30,997	$28,119

Income_Taxes_Details_Textual

Income Taxes (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Valuation reserves for other deferred tax assets	$1,725	$7,390	$11,474
Domestic net operating loss carryforward	30,750
Foreign net operating losses carryforward	60,943
Effect of the repatriation provisions of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 and the provisions of the Income Taxes Topic of the ASC	-1,887	4,411	7,572
Retained earnings invested by foreign subsidiaries for which provision was not made	3,683
Undistributed foreign earnings	539
Unrecognized tax benefits adjusted	28,208	27,767	25,011
Amount of unrecognized tax benefits where significant change is reasonably possible	4,372
Income tax interest and penalties	2,144	103	1,532
Accrued income tax interest and penalties	$5,732	$6,246	$6,178

Net_Income_Per_Common_Share_De

Net Income Per Common Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
									class
Basic
Average common shares outstanding (in shares)									96,190,101		100,897,512		101,714,901
Net income	$132,743	$326,240	$291,447	$115,457	$116,123	$262,966	$257,287	$116,185	$865,887		$752,561		$631,034
Less net income allocated to unvested restricted shares									-4,892		-4,596		-5,114
Net income allocated to common shares									860,995		747,965		625,920
Net income per common share - basic (in dollars per share)	$1.40	$3.42	$3	$1.16	$1.16	$2.61	$2.51	$1.13	$8.95		$7.41		$6.15
Diluted
Average common shares outstanding (in shares)									96,190,101		100,897,512		101,714,901
Stock options and other contingently issuable shares (in shares)									1,885,334	[1]	2,151,359	[1]	2,215,528	[1]
Average common shares outstanding assuming dilution (in shares)									98,075,435		103,048,871		103,930,429
Net income	132,743	326,240	291,447	115,457	116,123	262,966	257,287	116,185	865,887		752,561		631,034
Less net income allocated to unvested restricted shares assuming dilution									-4,804		-4,509		-5,008
Net income allocated to common shares assuming dilution									$861,083		$748,052		$626,026
Net income per common share - diluted (in dollars per share)	$1.37	$3.35	$2.94	$1.14	$1.14	$2.55	$2.46	$1.11	$8.78		$7.26		$6.02
Net Income Per Common Share (Textual) [Abstract]
Common shares outstanding, anti-dilutive									608,477		842,354		1,047,734
Classes of participating securities									2
Percent common shares representing outstanding shares	99.00%								99.00%
Percent restricted shares representing outstanding shares	1.00%								1.00%
[1]	Stock options and other contingently issuable shares excludes 608,477, 842,354 and 1,047,734 shares at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, due to their anti-dilutive effect.

Summary_of_Quarterly_Results_o2

Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Increase in gross profit per share	$0.13				$0.09
Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]
Net sales	$2,569,412	$3,150,570	$3,042,995	$2,366,556	$2,457,058	$2,847,417	$2,713,889	$2,167,168	$11,129,533	$10,185,532	$9,534,462
Gross profit	1,217,975	1,470,955	1,409,653	1,065,901	1,124,178	1,295,958	1,233,579	962,851	5,164,484	4,616,566	4,206,226	[1]
Net income	132,743	326,240	291,447	115,457	116,123	262,966	257,287	116,185	865,887	752,561	631,034
Net income per common share - basic (in dollars per share)	$1.40	$3.42	$3	$1.16	$1.16	$2.61	$2.51	$1.13	$8.95	$7.41	$6.15
Net income per common share - diluted (in dollars per share)	$1.37	$3.35	$2.94	$1.14	$1.14	$2.55	$2.46	$1.11	$8.78	$7.26	$6.02
Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations (Textual) [Abstract]
Increase in gross profit	21,077				14,938
Increase in gross profit, per share	$0.13				$0.09
Decrease in Selling, general and administrative expenses					-14,141
Decrease in Selling, general and administrative expenses per share					($0.09)
Increase In Other General Expense, Net	25,012
Increase In Other General Expense, Net, Per Share	$0.16
Titanium Dioxide Antitrust Litigation [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Settlement gain related to litigation settlement	$21,420
Increase in gross profit per share	$0.13
Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations (Textual) [Abstract]
Increase in gross profit, per share	$0.13
[1]	Includes DOL Settlement of $49,163, net of tax (Cost of goods sold $16,000, Selling, general and administrative expenses $64,000 and tax benefit $30,837), or $.47 per share in the Year ended December 31, 2012.

Operating_Leases_Details_Textu

Operating Leases (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating Leases (Textual) [Abstract]
Rental expenses	$376,914	$327,592	$310,109
Contingent rental included in rent expense	$52,379	$44,084	$39,340

Operating_Leases_Details

Operating Leases (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Future minimum lease payments under noncancellable operating leases
2015	$296,875
2016	254,608
2017	204,898
2018	156,495
2019	113,968
Later years	287,929
Total minimum lease payments	$1,314,773

Reportable_Segment_Information2

Reportable Segment Information (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
			segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
DOL settlement accrual	$80,000	$80,000		($80,000)	$80,000
Reportable Segment Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of reportable operating segments			4
Long lived assets		3,085,499	3,139,272	3,223,790	3,085,499
Identifiable assets		6,234,737	5,706,052	6,382,507	6,234,737
Consolidated foreign subsidiaries assets		1,598,996	1,359,991	1,625,422	1,598,996
Percent of assets of consolidated foreign subsidiaries to Company's assets		25.60%	23.80%	25.50%	25.60%
Export sales and sales to individual customer			less than 10 percent of consolidated sales to unaffiliated customers
Foreign Countries [Member]
Reportable Segment Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Net external sales			2,203,804	2,129,626	2,049,814
Segment profit			115,629	106,166	158,377
Long lived assets		$616,869	$551,364	$648,908	$616,869
Paint Stores Group [Member]
Reportable Segment Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of company-operated stores			4,003
Number of net new stores			95	388	70
New stores opened			109
Number of stores closed			14
Paint Stores Group [Member] | United States of America [Member]
Reportable Segment Information (Textual) [Abstract]
New stores opened			95
Number of stores closed			11
Paint Stores Group [Member] | Canada [Member]
Reportable Segment Information (Textual) [Abstract]
New stores opened			9
Number of stores closed			3
Paint Stores Group [Member] | Puerto Rico [Member]
Reportable Segment Information (Textual) [Abstract]
New stores opened			2
Paint Stores Group [Member] | Trinidad [Member]
Reportable Segment Information (Textual) [Abstract]
New stores opened			1
Paint Stores Group [Member] | Jamaica [Member]
Reportable Segment Information (Textual) [Abstract]
New stores opened			1
Paint Stores Group [Member] | St. Lucia [Member]
Reportable Segment Information (Textual) [Abstract]
New stores opened			1
Consumer Group [Member]
Reportable Segment Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Percent of sales of one group Including Inter segment transfers represented Products sold through other stores group			66.00%
Global Finishes Group [Member]
Reportable Segment Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of company-operated stores			300
Number of subsidiaries in foreign countries			34
Income from licensing agreements in number of foreign countries			16
Global Finishes Group [Member] | United States of America [Member]
Reportable Segment Information (Textual) [Abstract]
New stores opened			1
Number of stores closed			1
Decrease in branches			0
Latin America Coatings Group [Member]
Reportable Segment Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of company-operated stores			276
New stores opened			3
Number of stores closed			9
Decrease in branches			-6
Number of subsidiaries in foreign countries			9
Income from licensing agreements in number of foreign countries			7
Number of foreign Joint ventures			4
Latin America Coatings Group [Member] | South America [Member]
Reportable Segment Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of stores closed			7
Latin America Coatings Group [Member] | Mexico [Member]
Reportable Segment Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of stores closed			2

Reportable_Segment_Information3

Reportable Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers			$11,130,000,000	$10,186,000,000		$9,534,000,000
Income before income taxes			1,258,226,000	1,085,958,000		907,309,000
Identifiable assets		6,234,737,000	5,706,052,000	6,382,507,000		6,234,737,000
Capital expenditures			200,545,000	166,680,000		157,112,000
Depreciation			169,087,000	158,763,000		152,217,000
DOL settlement	80,000,000	80,000,000		-80,000,000		80,000,000
Paint Stores Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers			6,852,000,000	6,002,000,000		5,410,000,000
Consumer Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers			1,421,000,000	1,342,000,000		1,322,000,000
Global Finishes Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers			2,081,000,000	2,005,000,000		1,961,000,000
Latin America Coatings Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers			771,000,000	832,000,000		836,000,000
Administrative [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers			5,000,000	5,000,000		5,000,000
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Consumer Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers			2,745,000,000	2,409,000,000		2,320,000,000
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Global Finishes Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers			8,000,000	9,000,000		7,000,000
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Latin America Coatings Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers			40,000,000	39,000,000		47,000,000
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Administrative [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers			-2,793,000,000	-2,457,000,000		-2,374,000,000
Operating Segments [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers			11,130,000,000	10,186,000,000		9,534,000,000
Segment profit			1,695,000,000	1,442,000,000		1,307,000,000
Interest expense			-64,000,000	-63,000,000		-43,000,000
Administrative expenses and other			-373,000,000	-293,000,000		-357,000,000
Income before income taxes			1,258,000,000	1,086,000,000		907,000,000
Identifiable assets			5,706,000,000
Capital expenditures			201,000,000	167,000,000		157,000,000
Depreciation			169,000,000	159,000,000		152,000,000
Operating Segments [Member] | Paint Stores Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers			6,852,000,000	6,002,000,000		5,410,000,000
Segment profit			1,201,000,000	991,000,000		862,000,000
Income before income taxes			1,201,000,000	991,000,000		862,000,000
Reportable segment margins			17.50%	16.50%		15.90%
Identifiable assets		1,374,000,000	1,602,000,000	1,668,000,000		1,374,000,000
Capital expenditures			87,000,000	73,000,000		67,000,000
Depreciation			58,000,000	55,000,000		49,000,000
Operating Segments [Member] | Consumer Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers			4,166,000,000	3,751,000,000		3,642,000,000
Segment profit			253,000,000	242,000,000		217,000,000
Income before income taxes			253,000,000	242,000,000		217,000,000
Reportable segment margins			6.10%	6.50%		6.00%
Identifiable assets		1,701,000,000	1,883,000,000	1,762,000,000		1,701,000,000
Capital expenditures			45,000,000	40,000,000		47,000,000
Depreciation			48,000,000	45,000,000		43,000,000
Operating Segments [Member] | Global Finishes Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers			2,089,000,000	2,014,000,000		1,968,000,000
Segment profit			201,000,000	170,000,000		147,000,000
Income before income taxes			201,000,000	170,000,000		147,000,000
Reportable segment margins			9.60%	8.40%		7.50%
Identifiable assets		987,000,000	874,000,000	964,000,000		987,000,000
Capital expenditures			16,000,000	15,000,000		14,000,000
Depreciation			28,000,000	29,000,000		30,000,000
Operating Segments [Member] | Latin America Coatings Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers			811,000,000	871,000,000		883,000,000
Segment profit			40,000,000	39,000,000		81,000,000
Income before income taxes			40,000,000	39,000,000		81,000,000
Reportable segment margins			4.90%	4.50%		9.20%
Identifiable assets		485,000,000	427,000,000	485,000,000		485,000,000
Capital expenditures			8,000,000	7,000,000		9,000,000
Depreciation			9,000,000	10,000,000		10,000,000
Operating Segments [Member] | Administrative [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers			-2,788,000,000	-2,452,000,000		-2,369,000,000
Segment profit
Interest expense			-64,000,000	-63,000,000		-43,000,000
Administrative expenses and other			-373,000,000	-293,000,000	[1]	-357,000,000
Income before income taxes			-437,000,000	-356,000,000		-400,000,000
Identifiable assets		1,688,000,000	920,000,000	1,504,000,000		1,688,000,000
Capital expenditures			45,000,000	32,000,000		20,000,000
Depreciation			$26,000,000	$20,000,000		$20,000,000
[1]	Includes $80 pre-tax charge related to DOL Settlement. See Note 9.