Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Senior, Senior Subordinated, Convertible Senior Notes (Details)

v2.4.1.9
Senior, Senior Subordinated, Convertible Senior Notes (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Senior Notes $ 904,486us-gaap_SeniorNotes $ 905,055us-gaap_SeniorNotes
4.50% senior notes due 2018 [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Senior Notes 175,000us-gaap_SeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mth_SeniorNotesDueTwoThousandEighteenMemberDomain
175,000us-gaap_SeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mth_SeniorNotesDueTwoThousandEighteenMemberDomain
7.15% senior notes due 2020 [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Senior Notes 302,986us-gaap_SeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mth_SeniorNotesDueTwoThousandTwentyMember
303,555us-gaap_SeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mth_SeniorNotesDueTwoThousandTwentyMember
7.00% senior notes due 2022 [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Senior Notes 300,000us-gaap_SeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mth_SeniorNotesDueTwoThousandTwentyTwoMember
300,000us-gaap_SeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mth_SeniorNotesDueTwoThousandTwentyTwoMember
1.875% convertible senior notes due 2032 [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Senior Notes $ 126,500us-gaap_SeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mth_ConvertibleSeniorNotesDueTwoThousandThirtyTwoMemberMember
$ 126,500us-gaap_SeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mth_ConvertibleSeniorNotesDueTwoThousandThirtyTwoMemberMember