Goodwill and intangible assets - Schedule of goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 01, 2017 USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	$ 3,601,851
Accumulated impairment losses	(1,327,425)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	2,274,426
Goodwill recognized or adjusted during the period	59,829
Currency translation during the period	82,803
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	3,744,483
Accumulated impairment losses	(1,327,425)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	2,417,058
Operating segments | Global Ceramic segment
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	1,482,226
Accumulated impairment losses	(531,930)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	950,296
Goodwill recognized or adjusted during the period	59,829
Currency translation during the period	14,348
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	1,556,403
Accumulated impairment losses	(531,930)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	1,024,473
Operating segments | Flooring NA segment
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	869,764
Accumulated impairment losses	(343,054)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	526,710
Goodwill recognized or adjusted during the period	0
Currency translation during the period	0
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	869,764
Accumulated impairment losses	(343,054)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	526,710
Operating segments | Flooring ROW segment
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	1,249,861
Accumulated impairment losses	(452,441)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	797,420
Goodwill recognized or adjusted during the period	0
Currency translation during the period	68,455
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	1,318,316
Accumulated impairment losses	(452,441)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	$ 865,875