Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] Receivable Type [Axis] Receivable Type [Axis] Accounts Payable, Current Accounts payable Total gross receivable due from customer, clients, other third parties or from transactions not separately disclosed, within one year of the balance sheet date (or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer). Accounts Receivable Current Accounts receivable, gross Accounts Receivable, Gross, Current Trade receivables Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Accounts receivable, net Accounts receivable, net Description of payment terms for normal course of business transactions related to accounts receivable for certain customers. Accounts Receivable Payment Terms Trade receivable payment terms The aggregate accrued death benefits related to all executive benefit agreements as of the balance sheet date. Accrued Death Benefits Total accrued death benefits Accrued environmental liabilities as of the balance sheet date which are included in accrued and other liabilities. Accrued Environmental Liabilities Accrued liabilities for environmental matters The aggregate discounted accrued executive benefits obligation related to certain agreements as of the balance sheet date. Accrued Executive Benefits Total accrued executive benefits Accrued general liability insurance claims as of the balance sheet date which are included in accrued and other liabilities. Accrued General Liability Insurance Claims Accrued general liability insurance claims Disclosure of accounting policy for self-insurance including the methodology for measuring the liabilities. Accrued Insurance Liabilities Policy [Text Block] Accrued Insurance Liabilities Accrued Warranties Policy [Text Block] Accrued Warranties Policy [Text Block] Accrued Warranty Costs Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization Acquisition of working interest in natural gas properties. Acquisition Of Working Interests In Natural Gas Properties Acquisition of working interests in natural gas properties Expenses and fees incurred evaluating and analyzing proposals received from certain activists shareholders and dealing, negotiating and settling with those shareholders in order to avoid a proxy contest. Activist Shareholder Fees And Expense Fees and expenses relating to certain activist shareholders' proposals Additional Paid in Capital Capital in excess of par value Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Capital in Excess of Par Value [Member] Additions to Property Plant and equipment. Additions To Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract] Additions to PP&E: Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition Stock-based compensation Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation Excess income tax benefit associated with stock-based compensation Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by continuing operating activities: Advertising and promotion of products. Advertising And Promotion Of Products Table [Text Block] Advertising and Promotion of Products Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block] Advertising Costs Advertising Expense Advertising costs The aggregate amount due in settlement of a claim for reimbursement from an insurance company when the Company has suffered a loss covered under an insurance policy. Aggregate Amount Approved Under Insurance Claim Aggregate amount of claim settlement Agreement Maturity Date Agreement Maturity Date Ammonium nitrate supply agreement maturity date Agricultural products. Agricultural Products [Member] Agricultural Products [Member] Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees included in cost of sales. Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense Cost Of Sales Stock-based compensation expense-Cost of sales Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees included in SG&A. Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense Selling General And Administrative Stock-based compensation expense-SG&A Other Segments [Member] Other [Member] Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member] Accounts Receivable - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member] Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Allowance for doubtful accounts Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Period Increase (Decrease) Provisions for (recovery of) losses on accounts receivable Allowance for Notes Receivable [Member] Notes Receivable - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member] The amended maximum borrowing capacity of the revolving credit facility. Amended Maximum Borrowing Capacity Amended maximum amount of revolving credit facility Amended working capital revolver. Amended Working Capital Revolver [Member] Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan [Member] Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Ammonia plant. Ammonia Plant [Member] Ammonia Plant [Member] Ammonium Nitrate Supply Agreement [Member] Ammonium Nitrate Supply Agreement [Member] Ammonium Nitrate Supply Agreement [Member] Amount approved by an insurance company in settlement or partial settlement of a claim for reimbursement when the Company has suffered a loss covered under an insurance policy. Amount Approved Under Insurance Claim Approved insurance payments Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Stock options Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract] Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract] Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Text Block] Asset Retirement Obligations Asset Retirement Obligations, Noncurrent Accrued liability for AROs Asset Retirement Obligations, Policy [Policy Text Block] Asset Retirement Obligations Assets Total assets Total assets Assets [Abstract] Assets Total assets at December 31: Assets, Current Total current assets Assets, Current [Abstract] Current assets: Assets, Fair Value Disclosure Total Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] Assets - Supplies, prepaid items and other: Assets Held under Capital Leases [Member] Assets Under Capital Leases [Member] Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] The balance of an asset deposited or invested that are in excess of the FDIC-insured limit. Balance In Excess Of Fdic Insured Limits Balance in excess of FDIC-insured limits Bayer Agreement [Member] Bayer Agreement [Member] Bayer Agreement [Member] Building and Building Improvements [Member] Buildings and Improvements [Member] Business Combinations Policy [Policy Text Block] Business Combinations A block of text that may be used to disclose all or part of the information relating to business interruption and property insurance claims. This may include the nature of the event resulting in the insurance claim, the aggregate amount of insurance recoveries recognized during the period, and the line item(s) in the statement of operations in which those insurance recoveries are classified. Business Interruption And Property Insurance Claims [Text Block] Property and Business Interruption Insurance Claims and Recoveries Business interruption insurance. Business Interruption Insurance [Member] Business Interruption Insurance [Member] Business Interruption Loss [Axis] Business Interruption Loss [Axis] Business Interruption Loss [Domain] Business Interruption Loss [Domain] CANADA Canada [Member] Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid Other assets, accounts payable, other liabilities, and long-term debt associated with additions of property, plant and equipment Capitalized Computer Software, Amortization Amortization expense Capitalized Computer Software, Net Capitalized software costs, net Capitalized Interest Policy [Text Block] Capitalized Interest Policy [Text Block] Capitalized Interest Capitalized Software [Member] Capitalized Software [Member] Capitalized Software [Member] Schedule of future minimum payments associated with capital leases and non-cancelable operating leases with initial or remaining terms of one year or more as of the date of the report. Capital Leases And Operating Lease Future Minimum Payments Due Table [Text Block] Schedule of Future Minimum Payments on Leases Capital Leases, Lessee Balance Sheet, Assets by Major Class, Accumulated Depreciation Accumulated amortization for assets capitalized under capital leases Fair value as of the balance sheet date of carbon credit assets, which do not meet the criteria of a derivative instrument. Carbon Credit Assets Fair Value Disclosure Carbon credits The number of carbon credit units held by the entity subject to contractual obligations. Carbon Credit Contractual Obligation Number Of Instruments Held Number of carbon credits The fair value per carbon credit unit as of the balance sheet date. Carbon Credit Fair Value Per Unit Carbon credit fair value per unit Fair value as of the balance sheet date of carbon credit liabilities, which do not meet the criteria of a derivative instrument. Carbon Credit Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure Contractual obligations - carbon credits Carbon credits. Carbon Credits [Member] Carbon Credits [Member] Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents at end of year Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents [Axis] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Axis] Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] Noncurrent Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Noncash investing and financing activities: Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Text Block] Supplemental Cash Flow Information Cash payments for. Cash Payments For [Abstract] Cash payments (refunds) for: Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Discontinued Operations Operating cash flows Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance Total cash surrender values of life insurance policies Certificate Of Deposit Original Maturity Period Certificate Of Deposit Original Maturity Period Original maturity period Certificates of Deposit [Member] CD [Member] The purchase price expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of debt. Change Of Control Purchase Price Change in control purchase price Goodwill of Chemical. Chemical [Member] Chemical [Member] Chemical processing plants and plant infrastructure. Chemical Processing Plants And Plant Infrastructure [Member] Chemical Processing Plants and Plant Infrastructure [Member] Chemical products. Chemical Products [Member] Chemical Products [Member] Cherokee Facility Cherokee Corporate Pk [Member] Cherokee Facility [Member] Class of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] Climate control business. Climate Control Business [Member] Climate Control Business [Member] Goodwill of Climate Control. Climate Control [Member] Climate Control [Member] Climate control products. Climate Control Products [Member] Climate Control Products [Member] Commercial and industrial product base warranty coverage for manufactured product period. Commercial And Industrial Product Base Warranty Coverage For Manufactured Product Commercial and industrial product base warranty coverage for manufactured equipment Commercial and industrial product base warranty coverage for spare parts. Commercial And Industrial Product Base Warranty Coverage For Spare Parts Commercial and industrial product base warranty coverage for spare parts Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and contingencies (Note 11) Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items] Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items] Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items] Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block] Contingencies Commitments And Contingencies [Table] Commitments And Contingencies [Table] Commitments And Contingencies [Table] Commodity Contract [Member] Commodities Contracts [Member] Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance Number of shares converted Common Stock [Member] Common Stock Shares [Member] Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, $.10 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized, 26,968,212 shares issued (26,846,470 shares at December 31, 2013) Compensation Related Costs [Abstract] Compensation Related Costs [Abstract] Components of Deferred Tax Assets [Abstract] Deferred tax assets Components of Deferred Tax Liabilities [Abstract] Deferred tax liabilities Components Of Inventory [Line Items] Components Of Inventory [Line Items] Components Of Inventory [Line Items] Components Of Inventory [Table] Components Of Inventory [Table] Components Of Inventory [Table] Components Of Other Operating Cost And Expense Line Items Components Of Other Operating Cost And Expense Line Items Components Of Other Operating Cost And Expense [Line Items] Components Of Other Operating Cost And Expense [Table] Components Of Other Operating Cost And Expense [Table] Components Of Other Operating Cost And Expense [Table] Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block] Concentration of Credit Risks for Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Investments at Financial Institutions Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Domain] Consolidation Items [Domain] Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block] Basis of Consolidation Construction in Progress, Gross Project costs capitalized Construction in Progress [Member] Construction in Progress [Member] The maturity date of a contract. Contract Maturity Date Anhydrous ammonia purchase agreement maturity date The maturity period of a contract. Contract Maturity Period Operating agreement maturity period Initial term of this agreement is for one year, with renewal options, but either party has an option to terminate the agreement pursuant to the terms of the agreement. Contracts Period Contract period The terms relating to contract. Contract Terms Contract terms Contractual obligations relating to carbon credits. Contractual Obligations Relating To Carbon Credits [Member] Contractual Obligations Relating to Carbon Credits [Member] Contractual weighted average pay rate related to the entity's interest rate contracts as of the balance sheet date. Contractual Weighted Average Pay Rate Contractual weighted-average pay rate Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Issued upon Conversion Preferred stock converted into shares of common stock Convertible Preferred Stock, Terms of Conversion Number of shares of common stock for each share of converted preferred stock Copper [Member] Copper [Member] Copper [Member] Corporate and Other [Member] Corporate and Other [Member] Corporate assets and other. Corporate Assets And Other [Member] Corporate Assets [Member] Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] Corporate [Member] Gross cost of life insurance premiums included in SG&A during the reporting period. Cost Of Life Insurance Premiums Included In Selling General And Administrative Expense Gross Cost of life insurance premiums Net cost of life insurance premiums included in SG&A during the reporting period. Cost Of Life Insurance Premiums Included In Selling General And Administrative Expense Net Net cost of life insurance premiums included in SG&A Cost of Revenue Cost of sales Cost of Sales [Member] Cost of Sales [Member] Cost of Sales, Policy [Policy Text Block] Cost of Sales Covenants. Covenants [Member] Covenants [Member] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Domain] Credit Facility [Domain] Current Federal Tax Expense (Benefit) Federal Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Total Current Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract] Current: The excess tax benefit related to equity-based compensation plans realized as a reduction in the current year tax liability that was allocated directly to additional paid in capital. Current Period Tax Effect To Additional Paid In Capital From Share Based Compensation Current period excess stock-based compensation tax deduction Current State and Local Tax Expense (Benefit) State Customer Advances and Deposits Customer advances and deposits Customer deposits current and noncurrent. Customer Deposits Current And Noncurrent Customer deposits The term for monthly death benefit payments to be paid to the beneficiary Death Benefit Payment Term Death benefit payment term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Long-term debt Long-term debt Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount Carrying value of the assets Debt Instrument, Covenant Description Amended working capital revolver loan requirements Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis Secured Promissory Notes, interest rate description Debt Instrument, Face Amount Aggregate principal amount of notes sold Debt Instrument, Frequency of Periodic Payment Debt instrument, frequency of interest payment Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage Secured Promissory Note, interest rate Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Debt instrument, interest rate Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Maturity date Debt Instrument Maturity Year Debt Instrument Maturity Year Maturity year Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Offering Date Offering date Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment Terms, Balloon Payment to be Paid Final balloon payment Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period [Axis] Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period [Axis] Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period [Domain] Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period [Domain] Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [Member] 2016 [Member] Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Three [Member] 2018 and Thereafter [Member] Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Two [Member] 2017 [Member] Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage Redemption price Debt Instrument Redemption [Table Text Block] Redemption Price Percentage of Senior Secured Notes Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Debt Issuance Costs Incurred During Noncash or Partial Noncash Transaction Debt issuance costs incurred associated with senior secured notes Decrease in Restricted Cash Proceeds from noncurrent restricted cash and cash equivalents Deductible for property damage. Deductible For Property Damage Deductible property damage under insurance Debt Instrument, Debt Default, Description of Violation or Event of Default Events of default description Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Federal Amount of gain contingency relating to an insurance recovery that was deferred as of the balance sheet date. Deferred Gain On Insurance Recovery Deferred gain on insurance recovery Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred income taxes Total Deferred Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract] Deferred: Current and noncurrent carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of deferred revenue on extended warranty contracts. Deferred Revenue On Extended Warranty Contracts Current And Noncurrent Deferred revenue on extended warranty contracts Deferred State and Local Income Tax Expense (Benefit) State Deferred Tax Assets, Gross Total deferred tax assets Deferred Tax Assets, Hedging Transactions Hedging Deferred Tax Assets, Inventory Inventory Deferred Tax Assets, Net Net deferred tax liabilities Net deferred tax liabilities Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Classification [Abstract] Consolidated balance sheet classification: Represents the federal portion of net deferred tax assets and liabilities as of the balance sheet date, which result from applying the federal enacted tax rate to net temporary differences and carryforwards pertaining to assets or liabilities. Deferred Tax Assets Liabilities Net Federal Federal