Goodwill and intangible assets - Schedule of goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	$ 3,848,391
Accumulated impairment losses	(1,327,425)	$ (1,327,425)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	2,520,966
Goodwill recognized during the period	44,654
Currency translation during the period	82
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	3,893,127
Accumulated impairment losses	(1,327,425)	(1,327,425)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	2,565,702
Global Ceramic segment
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	1,564,987
Accumulated impairment losses	(531,930)	(531,930)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	1,033,057
Goodwill recognized during the period	(2,889)
Currency translation during the period	5,879
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	1,567,977
Accumulated impairment losses	(531,930)	(531,930)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	1,036,047
Flooring NA segment
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	874,198
Accumulated impairment losses	(343,054)	(343,054)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	531,144
Goodwill recognized during the period	0
Currency translation during the period	0
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	874,198
Accumulated impairment losses	(343,054)	(343,054)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	531,144
Flooring ROW segment
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	1,409,206
Accumulated impairment losses	(452,441)	(452,441)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	956,765
Goodwill recognized during the period	47,543
Currency translation during the period	(5,797)
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	1,450,952
Accumulated impairment losses	(452,441)	$ (452,441)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	$ 998,511