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Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Jan. 31, 2012	Feb. 29, 2012
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jan. 31, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	NX
Entity Registrant Name	Quanex Building Products CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0001423221
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--10-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		36,769,205

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and equivalents	$ 81,722	$ 89,619
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,413 and $1,062	59,847	81,969
Inventories	64,150	55,842
Deferred income taxes	16,827	11,220
Prepaid and other current assets	7,448	6,423
Total current assets	229,994	245,073
Property, plant and equipment, net	158,960	158,209
Deferred income taxes	7,733	7,669
Goodwill	68,398	69,432
Intangible assets, net	84,836	87,943
Other assets	15,985	16,603
Total assets	565,906	584,929
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	57,211	66,339
Accrued liabilities	37,379	38,058
Current maturities of long-term debt	352	352
Total current liabilities	94,942	104,749
Long-term debt	1,294	1,314
Deferred pension and postretirement benefits	8,752	7,784
Liability for uncertain tax positions	8,512	8,412
Non-current environmental reserves	11,058	11,221
Other liabilities	14,399	14,223
Total liabilities	138,957	147,703
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, no par value, shares authorized 1,000,000; issued and outstanding - none
Common stock, $0.01 par value, shares authorized 125,000,000; issued 37,800,604 and 37,843,134 respectively	378	378
Additional paid-in-capital	242,154	241,983
Retained earnings	204,601	213,143
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(5,476)	(3,642)
Less treasury stock at cost, 1,043,891 and 1,035,288 shares, respectively	(14,708)	(14,636)
Total stockholders' equity	426,949	437,226
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 565,906	$ 584,929

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Accounts receivable, allowance	$ 1,413	$ 1,062
Preferred stock, no par value
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	125,000,000	125,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	37,800,604	37,843,134
Treasury stock, shares	1,043,891	1,035,288

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
Net sales	$ 161,579	$ 159,808
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales (exclusive of items shown separately below)	138,042	139,655
Selling, general and administrative	25,152	20,294
Depreciation and amortization	9,689	7,525
Operating income (loss)	(11,304)	(7,666)
Non-operating income (expense):
Interest expense	(126)	(121)
Other, net	217	100
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(11,213)	(7,687)
Income tax benefit (expense)	4,465	2,959
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(6,748)	(4,728)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes		(12)
Net income (loss)	$ (6,748)	$ (4,740)
Basic earnings per common share:
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	$ (0.18)	$ (0.13)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
Basic earnings (loss) per share	(0.18)	(0.13)
Diluted earnings per common share:
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	(0.18)	(0.13)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$ (0.18)	$ (0.13)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic	36,547	37,092
Diluted	36,547	37,092

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (6,748)	$ (4,740)
Loss (income) from discontinued operations		12
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations:
Depreciation and amortization	9,706	7,542
Restructuring charges	2,115	1,404
Deferred income taxes	(5,457)	(3,197)
Stock-based compensation	1,602	1,291
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and dispositions:
Decrease (increase) in accounts and notes receivable	21,281	37,513
Decrease (increase) in inventory	(8,517)	(10,889)
Decrease (increase) in other current assets	(1,046)	(598)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable	(9,582)	(19,164)
Increase (decrease) in accrued liabilities	(4,482)	(9,903)
Increase (decrease) in income taxes	346	191
Increase (decrease) in deferred pension and postretirement benefits	967	268
Other, net	1,888	952
Cash provided by (used for) operating activities from continuing operations	2,073	682
Cash provided by (used for) operating activities from discontinued operations		(68)
Cash provided by (used for) operating activities	2,073	614
Investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(8,024)	(4,124)
Proceeds from executive life insurance		683
Other, net		74
Cash provided by (used for) investing activities from continuing operations	(8,024)	(3,367)
Cash provided by (used for) investing activities from discontinued operations
Cash provided by (used for) investing activities	(8,024)	(3,367)
Financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(20)	(15)
Common stock dividends paid	(1,470)	(1,501)
Purchase of treasury stock	(1,284)	(1,504)
Issuance of common stock from stock option exercises, including related tax benefits	344	579
Other, net		392
Cash provided by (used for) financing activities from continuing operations	(2,430)	(2,049)
Cash provided by (used for) financing activities from discontinued operations		(392)
Cash provided by (used for) financing activities	(2,430)	(2,441)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents	484	22
Less: (Increase) decrease in cash and equivalents from discontinued operations		460
Increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents from continuing operations	(7,897)	(4,712)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	89,619	187,178
Cash and equivalents at end of period	$ 81,722	$ 182,466

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - 3 months ended Jan. 31, 2012 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Treasury Stock & Other
Balance at Oct. 31, 2011	$ 437,226	$ 378	$ 241,983	$ 213,143	$ (3,642)	$ (14,636)
Net income (loss)	(6,748)			(6,748)
Foreign currency translation adjustment (net of taxes of $137)	(1,834)				(1,834)
Common dividends ($0.04 per share)	(1,470)			(1,470)
Treasury shares purchased, at cost	(1,283)					(1,283)
Stock-based compensation activity:
Stock-based compensation earned	1,374		1,374
Stock options exercised	18		(8)			26
Restricted stock awards			(1,185)			1,185
Stock-based compensation tax benefit	322		322
Other	(656)		(332)	(324)
Balance at Jan. 31, 2012	$ 426,949	$ 378	$ 242,154	$ 204,601	$ (5,476)	$ (14,708)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012 USD ($) $ / shares
Foreign currency translation adjustment, tax \| $	$ 137
Common stock, dividends per share \| $ / shares	$ 0.04

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

1. Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

Quanex Building Products Corporation and its subsidiaries (Quanex or the Company) are managed on a decentralized basis and operate in two business segments: Engineered Products and Aluminum Sheet Products. The Engineered Products segment produces engineered systems, products and components primarily serving the window and door industry, while the Aluminum Sheet Products segment produces mill finished and coated aluminum sheet serving the broader building products markets and secondary markets such as capital goods and transportation. The primary market drivers are residential housing starts and residential remodeling expenditures. Quanex believes it is a technological leader in the production of aluminum sheet products, flexible insulating glass spacer systems, extruded vinyl profiles, thin film solar panel sealants, and precision-formed metal and wood products which primarily serve the North American building products markets. The Company uses low-cost production processes, and engineering and metallurgical expertise to provide customers with specialized products for specific applications.

On December 12, 2007, Quanex Building Products Corporation was incorporated in the state of Delaware as a subsidiary of Quanex Corporation to facilitate the separation of Quanex Corporation’s vehicular products and building products businesses. The separation occurred on April 23, 2008 through the spin-off of Quanex Corporation’s building products business to its shareholders immediately followed by the merger of Quanex Corporation (consisting principally of the vehicular products business and all non-building products related corporate accounts) with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gerdau S.A. (Gerdau). This is hereafter referred to as the “Separation”. In March 2011, the Company acquired Edgetech I.G., Inc. and its German subsidiary. Headquartered in Cambridge, Ohio, Edgetech has three manufacturing facilities (U.S., U.K. and Germany) that produce and market a full line of insulating glass spacer systems for window and door customers in North America and abroad. In November 2011, management committed to a plan to consolidate its Truseal and U.S. Edgetech facilities. In 2010, management closed its start-up facility in China, and accordingly, the China assets and liabilities, results of operations and cash flows are reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Unless otherwise noted, all disclosures in the notes accompanying the consolidated financial statements reflect only continuing operations.

The interim unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company include all adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and results of operations. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying footnotes. Estimates and assumptions about future events and their effects cannot be perceived with certainty. Estimates may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information becomes available and as the Company’s operating environment changes. Actual results could differ from estimates. These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2011.

Other Income (Expense)	3 Months Ended
Other Income (Expense)	Jan. 31, 2012
Other Income (Expense)	17. Other Income (Expense) During the three months ended January 31, 2012, the Company incurred $0.1 million of transaction gains which are included in determining net income primarily related to Edgetech’s international operations and foreign currency denominated exposures. There are no transaction gains or losses during the three months ended January 31, 2011.

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)	Jan. 31, 2012 Entity Location	Mar. 31, 2011 Location
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of business segments \| Entity	2
Edgetech I G, Inc
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of manufacturing facilities \| Location	3	3

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) - Edgetech I G, Inc $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012 USD ($) Location	Jan. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2011 Location
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of manufacturing facilities \| Location	3		3
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	$ 104.4
Cash acquired in acquisition	0.8
Cash paid amount placed into escrow fund	7.0
Tax liability resulting from the pre-closing reorganization	3.5
Payment amount for tax liability resulting from the pre-closing reorganization	3.0
Goodwill	$ 44.6
Transaction-related costs		$ 1.1

Changes in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012 USD ($)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 69,432
Ending balance	68,398
Engineered Products
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning balance	69,432
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(1,034)
Ending balance	$ 68,398

Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 114,670	$ 115,809
Accumulated Amortization	(29,834)	(27,866)
Customer Relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	43,765	44,260
Accumulated Amortization	(9,337)	(8,588)
Tradenames and Trademarks
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	44,557	44,857
Accumulated Amortization	(12,268)	(11,540)
Patents And Other Technology
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	24,956	25,300
Accumulated Amortization	(7,974)	(7,552)
Lease Agreements
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	1,392	1,392
Accumulated Amortization	$ (255)	$ (186)

Estimated Amortization Expense Related to Intangible Assets (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012 USD ($)
Estimated Amortization Expense
2012(remaining nine months)	$ 6,216
2013	8,208
2014	8,083
2015	7,945
2016	$ 7,704

Components of Inventory (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Schedule of Inventory [Line Items]
Raw materials	$ 32,298	$ 27,862
Finished goods and work in process	28,546	24,988
Supplies and other	3,306	2,992
Total	$ 64,150	$ 55,842

Values of Inventories (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Schedule of Inventory [Line Items]
LIFO	$ 21,215	$ 18,782
FIFO	42,935	37,060
Total	$ 64,150	$ 55,842

Inventories - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Inventory Disclosure [Line Items]
LIFO inventory valuation, year-end projection	$ 0.0
Excess of replacement cost over LIFO value	$ 12.3	$ 12.3

Earnings and Dividends Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) - $ / shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities excluded from diluted earnings (loss) per share calculation	0.3	0.4
Cash dividend per common share	$ 0.04	$ 0.04
Restricted Stock
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities excluded from diluted earnings (loss) per share calculation	0.1	0.2
Stock Options
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities excluded from diluted earnings (loss) per share calculation	1.3	0.5

Statement of Comprehensive Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)	$ (6,748)	$ (4,740)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(1,834)	92
Other		2
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	$ (8,582)	$ (4,646)

Long-Term Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Debt	$ 1,646	$ 1,666
Less maturities due within one year included in current liabilities	352	352
Long-term debt	1,294	1,314
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Debt
Kentucky Industrial Building Revenue Bonds
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Debt	900	900
Iowa Industrial Waste Recycling Revenue Bonds
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Debt	600	600
Capital Lease Obligations And Other
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Debt	$ 146	$ 166

Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012 USD ($)
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 270.0
Credit facility, effective date	Apr. 23, 2008
Credit facility payment terms	5 years
Credit facility, expiration date	Apr. 23, 2013
Credit facility, available amount	$ 173.1
Maximum
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Leverage ratio, Company must not exceed	3.25
Interest coverage ratio, Company must not exceed	3.00
Standby Letters of Credit
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 50.0
Letters of credit, outstanding amount	$ 5.6

Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost (Detail) - Pension Plans, Defined Benefit - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$ 980	$ 937
Interest cost	204	200
Expected return on plan assets	(277)	(258)
Amortization of net loss	50	22
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 957	$ 901

Industry Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	Jan. 31, 2012 Entity
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of reportable business segments	2

Summary of Net Sales and Operating Income (Loss) by Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue, net	$ 161,579	$ 159,808
Operating income (loss)	(11,304)	(7,666)
Engineered Products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue, net	99,393	84,010
Operating income (loss)	1,803	(649)
Aluminum Sheet Products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue, net	65,700	79,138
Operating income (loss)	(5,518)	551
Intersegment Eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue, net	(3,514)	(3,340)
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)	$ (7,589)	$ (7,568)

Identifiable Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	$ 565,906	$ 584,929
Goodwill	68,398	69,432
Engineered Products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	379,725	389,889
Goodwill	68,398	69,432
Aluminum Sheet Products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	121,253	132,161
Corporate, Intersegment Eliminations & Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	$ 64,928	$ 62,879

Stock Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2011 shares	Jan. 31, 2012 USD ($) Year $ / shares shares	Jan. 11, 2012 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Jan. 31, 2011 USD ($) $ / shares	Oct. 31, 2011 shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares of common stock authorized for grant originally under the 2008 Plan \| shares		2,900,000			2,900,000
Initial awards grant date under the 2008 Plan		Apr. 23, 2008
Number of shares of common stock authorized for grant originally under the 2008 Plan additional \| shares	2,400,000
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period		3 years
Granted \| shares		83,900
Fair market value per share of the outstanding awards \| $ / shares		$ 15.08		$ 16.90
Total fair value of restricted stock vested		$ 900		$ 0
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unamortized stock awards		$ 2,200
Weighted-average period over which unrecognized cost is expected to be recognized \| Year		2.2
Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total intrinsic value of options exercised		$ 12		200
Total fair value of shares vested		2,100		$ 1,300
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unamortized stock awards		$ 4,600
Weighted-average period over which unrecognized cost is expected to be recognized \| Year		1.9
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period		3 years
RSU awards vesting description		RSUs vest over a specified time period, but typically either immediately vest or cliff vest over a three-year period with service as the vesting condition. RSUs are not considered to be outstanding shares of common stock and do not have voting rights. Holders of RSUs receive cash for an equivalent amount of cash dividends paid on the underlying common stock. Upon the earlier of the date the director ceases to be a board member or a change of control or upon vesting for the employee grants, each RSU is payable in cash in an amount equal to the market value of one share of the Company's common stock. Accordingly, the RSU liability will be adjusted to fair market value at each reporting date.
Granted \| shares		137,500	0
Fair market value per share of the outstanding awards \| $ / shares		$ 16.43	$ 19.49
Expense related to RSU awards		$ 200	$ 100
Number of RSU awards outstanding \| shares		193,910	56,410
Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
2008 plan stock options maximum exercisable period		10 years			10 years

Summary of Non Vested Restricted Stock Award Changes During Period (Detail) - Restricted Stock - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
Number of Shares
Non-vested at beginning of the Period	256,390
Granted	83,900
Vested	(115,790)
Non-vested at end of the Period	224,500
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Non-vested at beginning of the Period	$ 12.67
Granted	15.08	$ 16.90
Vested	7.82
Non-vested at end of the Period	$ 16.08

Summary of Valuation Assumptions and Resulting Grant Date Fair Values for Grants (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012 Year $ / shares	Jan. 31, 2011 Year $ / shares
Share based Compensation Arrangement by Share based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Method Used [Line Items]
Weighted-average expected volatility	54.00%	53.00%
Expected term (in years), minimum	4.9	4.9
Expected term (in years), maximum	5.1	5.1
Risk-free interest rate	1.00%	1.60%
Expected dividend yield over expected term	1.00%	1.00%
Weighted-average grant-date fair value per share \| $ / shares	$ 6.49	$ 7.30

Summary of Stock Option Shares Activity for the 2008 Plan (Detail) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012 USD ($) Year $ / shares shares
Number of Shares
Outstanding at beginning of period \| shares	2,137,436
Granted \| shares	454,300
Exercised \| shares	(1,834)
Cancelled/Expired \| shares	(2,666)
Outstanding at end of period \| shares	2,587,236
Vested or expected to vest at end of period \| shares	2,518,386
Exercisable at end of period \| shares	1,726,394
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share
Outstanding at beginning of period \| $ / shares	$ 14.08
Granted \| $ / shares	15.08
Exercised \| $ / shares	9.79
Cancelled/Expired \| $ / shares	13.27
Outstanding at end of period \| $ / shares	14.26
Vested or expected to vest at end of period \| $ / shares	14.19
Exercisable at end of period \| $ / shares	$ 13.33
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life
Outstanding at end of period \| Year	7.5
Vested or expected to vest at end of period \| Year	7.5
Exercisable at end of period \| Year	6.6
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at end of period \| $	$ 6,120
Vested or expected to vest at end of period \| $	6,086
Exercisable at end of period \| $	$ 5,482

Reconciliation of Activity Related to the Company's Accrued Warranty (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012 USD ($)
Product Liability Contingency [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 5,262
Provision for warranty expense	159
Warranty costs paid	(156)
Total accrued warranty	5,265
Less long-term portion	3,591
Current accrued warranty	$ 1,674

Summary of Fair Value of Assets Measured on Recurring Basis (Detail) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring - Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Pension plan assets	$ 14,204	$ 14,004
Total	90,711	94,692
Money Market Funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents investments	$ 76,507	$ 80,688

Stock Repurchase Program and Treasury Stock - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Aug. 25, 2011	May 27, 2010
Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Stock repurchase program approved				1,000,000
Additional shares authorized for repurchase			1,000,000
Treasury stock, shares	1,043,891	1,035,288
Treasury stock acquired at cost, shares	94,337
Treasury stock acquired at cost, amount	$ 1,283
Cumulative number Of shares repurchased for program	1,094,337
Remaining shares authorized for repurchase in the program	905,663

Other Income (Expense) - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011
Component of Other Expense, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	$ 0.1	$ 0.0

Restructuring And Related Activities - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012 USD ($)
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Severance payment	$ 2.1
Cumulative costs incurred	2.5
Total expected costs of the project	9.0
Employee-related costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total expected costs of the project	4.0
Plant closure, equipment moving and set up costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total expected costs of the project	5.0
Facility Closing
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Facilities consolidation costs	$ 0.4

Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Liability Balances Showing Charges to Expense, Cash Payments and Other Adjustments (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012 USD ($)
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Charges to expense, continuing operations	$ 2,470
Cash payments	(355)
Other adjustments
Ending balance	2,115
Employee Termination Costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Charges to expense, continuing operations	2,120
Cash payments	(5)
Other adjustments
Ending balance	2,115
Facility Closing
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Charges to expense, continuing operations	350
Cash payments	(350)
Other adjustments
Contract Termination
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Other adjustments