Segment reporting (Summary of segment information) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013 segment	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,486,815	$ 1,409,035
Intersegment sales	(24,875)	(21,194)
Operating income (loss)	86,842	71,976
Assets	7,261,845		6,303,684
Number of reporting segments	3
Mohawk [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	695,334	699,880
Operating income (loss)	25,238	25,282
Assets	1,802,241		1,721,214
Dal-Tile [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	411,881	392,925
Operating income (loss)	29,976	26,028
Assets	1,795,828		1,731,258
Unilin [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	404,475	337,424
Operating income (loss)	38,693	27,146
Assets	2,469,264		2,672,389
Corporate and Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)	(7,065)	(6,480)
Assets	$ 1,194,512		$ 178,823