Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs (Restructuring Reserve) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2013
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2013	$ 24,048
Provision	4,661	8,222
Cash payments	(11,187)
Non-cash items	(1,038)
Balance as of March 29, 2014	16,484
Period in which lease impairments, severance and other restructuring costs are expected to be paid	5 years
Lease Impairments [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2013	5,904
Cash payments	(864)
Non-cash items	0
Balance as of March 29, 2014	5,040
Asset Write-Down [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2013	0
Cash payments	0
Non-cash items	(525)
Balance as of March 29, 2014	0
Severance [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2013	18,144
Cash payments	(7,879)
Non-cash items	0
Balance as of March 29, 2014	11,444
Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2013	0
Cash payments	(2,444)
Non-cash items	(513)
Balance as of March 29, 2014	0
Ceramic Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	1,499
Ceramic Segment [Member] | Lease Impairments [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	0
Ceramic Segment [Member] | Asset Write-Down [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	525
Ceramic Segment [Member] | Severance [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	461
Ceramic Segment [Member] | Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	513
Laminate and Wood Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	3,162
Laminate and Wood Segment [Member] | Lease Impairments [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	0
Laminate and Wood Segment [Member] | Asset Write-Down [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	0
Laminate and Wood Segment [Member] | Severance [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	718
Laminate and Wood Segment [Member] | Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	$ 2,444