Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) Contract	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) Contract	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 T $ / lb $ / Pounds
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Maximum period of deliver quantities of product (years)			1 year
Reorganization items, net	$ 15,689		$ 31,081
Net sales of zinc material and other goods	64,581	$ 99,239	125,066	$ 181,907
Cost of sales of zinc material and other goods	$ 67,458	$ 92,014	143,273	$ 183,194
Fixed Price Swaps [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Variable to fixed future swap contracts \| T					4,500
Strike price \| $ / Pounds					830
Margin Calls [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Reorganization items, net			1,325
Margin Calls [Member] \| Zinc Material and Other Goods [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Net sales of zinc material and other goods			1,389
Margin Calls [Member] \| Nickel-based Material and Other Services [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Cost of sales of zinc material and other goods			$ 64
Fixed-to-Variable Swap Contracts [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Number of swap contracts \| Contract	0		0
Fixed Rate Swap Contracts [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Number of swap contracts \| Contract	0		0
Swaps [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Zinc fixed to variable future swap contracts \| T					15,700
Minimum [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fixed portion of fixed to variable swap contracts \| $ / lb					0.71
Maximum [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fixed portion of fixed to variable swap contracts \| $ / lb					0.93

Horsehead Holding Corp 10-Q