Goodwill and intangible assets - Schedule of goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2020 USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	$ 3,897,452
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(1,327,425)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	2,570,027
Goodwill recognized during the period	(9,642)
Currency translation during the period	(40,406)
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	3,847,404
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(1,327,425)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	2,519,979
Global Ceramic segment
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	1,583,576
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(531,930)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	1,051,646
Goodwill recognized during the period	0
Currency translation during the period	(23,930)
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	1,559,646
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(531,930)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	1,027,716
Flooring NA segment
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	874,198
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(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, ending balance	(343,054)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	531,144
Flooring ROW segment
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	1,439,678
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(452,441)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	987,237
Goodwill recognized during the period	(9,642)
Currency translation during the period	(16,476)
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	1,413,560
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(452,441)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	$ 961,119