Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details)

v3.19.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details)
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Feb. 28, 2017
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2017
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2017
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2018
USD ($)
subsidiaries
reporting_unit
segments
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Jan. 01, 2019
USD ($)
Jan. 01, 2018
USD ($)
Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Number of operating segments | segments           2        
Number of reportable segments | segments           2        
Goodwill impairment           $ 0 $ 0      
Deferred charges and intangible assets   $ 21,837,351       23,247,498 21,837,351      
Accumulated amortization on deferred charges   10,693,175       13,043,424 10,693,175      
Amortization expense           2,363,277 2,443,117 $ 2,459,787    
Shipping costs           9,846,616 7,502,945 4,488,041    
Research and development expense           548,464 556,181 603,067    
Increase in net loss from mark-to-market adjustment from loss on investments           2,572,703        
Valuation loss on investments reclassified out of other comprehensive income   1,005,829 $ (1,573,098) $ 1,196,225 $ 0 13,097,429 $ 1,330,498 $ (7,093,301)    
Accounting Standards Update 2016-01                    
Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Cumulative adjustment                   $ 0
Increase in net loss from mark-to-market adjustment from loss on investments           $ 2,573,000        
Accounting Standards Update 2016-01 | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)                    
Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Cumulative adjustment                   10,864
Accounting Standards Update 2016-01 | Retained Earnings                    
Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Cumulative adjustment                   (10,864)
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 | Retained Earnings                    
Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Cumulative adjustment                   $ 6,000,000
Software Licenses                    
Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Useful life of property, plant and equipment           5 years        
Customer List                    
Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Weighted average amortization period for intangible assets           11 years        
Marcegalia USA, Inc. - Stainless | Customer List                    
Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Amortization period for intangible assets             15 years      
Marcegalia USA, Inc. - Stainless | Earn-Out Payment                    
Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Contingent consideration earn-out period 4 years                  
Obsolescence Reserve                    
Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Inventory reserves   411,157       $ 316,903 $ 411,157      
Physical Inventory Shrink Reserve                    
Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Inventory reserves   $ 285,627       $ 359,505 $ 285,627      
Minimum                    
Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Accounts receivable, payment terms           30 days        
Amortization period for intangible assets           8 years        
Minimum | Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 | Scenario, Forecast                    
Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Right-of-use assets under operating leases                 $ 32,000,000  
Operating lease liabilities                 32,000,000  
Minimum | Land Improvement and Buildings                    
Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Useful life of property, plant and equipment           10 years        
Minimum | Machinery, Fixtures and Equipment                    
Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Useful life of property, plant and equipment           3 years        
Minimum | Deferred Charges                    
Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Amortization period for intangible assets           3 years        
Maximum                    
Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Accounts receivable, payment terms           60 days        
Amortization period for intangible assets           15 years        
Maximum | Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 | Scenario, Forecast                    
Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Right-of-use assets under operating leases                 36,000,000  
Operating lease liabilities                 $ 36,000,000  
Maximum | Land Improvement and Buildings                    
Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Useful life of property, plant and equipment           40 years        
Maximum | Machinery, Fixtures and Equipment                    
Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Useful life of property, plant and equipment           20 years        
Maximum | Deferred Charges                    
Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Amortization period for intangible assets           10 years        
Metals Segment                    
Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Number of reporting units | reporting_unit           3        
Number of subsidiaries | subsidiaries           3        
Metals Segment | Synalloy Metals, Inc.                    
Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Ownership percentage of subsidiary           100.00%        
Specialty Chemicals Segment                    
Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Number of reporting units | reporting_unit           1        
Number of subsidiaries | subsidiaries           2        
Specialty Chemicals Segment | Manufacturers Soap and Chemical Company                    
Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Ownership percentage of subsidiary           100.00%