Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs (Restructuring Reserve) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2013	$ 24,048
Provision	14,078	42,062
Cash payments	(26,435)
Non-cash items	(3,602)
Balance as of September 27, 2014	8,089
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	(3,462)
Non-cash items	0
Balance as of September 27, 2014	2,442
Asset Write-Down [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2013	0
Cash payments	0
Non-cash items	(4,192)
Balance as of September 27, 2014	0
Severance [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2013	18,144
Cash payments	(15,831)
Non-cash items	0
Balance as of September 27, 2014	5,647
Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2013	0
Cash payments	(7,142)
Non-cash items	590
Balance as of September 27, 2014	0
Ceramic Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	4,425
Ceramic Segment [Member] | Lease Impairments [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	0
Ceramic Segment [Member] | Asset Write-Down [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	4,192
Ceramic Segment [Member] | Severance [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	823
Ceramic Segment [Member] | Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	(590)
Laminate and Wood Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	9,653
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	2,511
Laminate and Wood Segment [Member] | Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	$ 7,142