Commitments, Contingencies And Other (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2011	Jul. 03, 2010	Jul. 02, 2011	Jul. 03, 2010
Commitments, Contingencies And Other
Number of legal proceedings			0
Number of cases where Mohawk is a defendant			7
Number of civil lawsuits filed against polyurethane manufacturers			43
Number of class action cases where Mohawk is defendant			2
Pre-tax business restructuring charges	$ 6,514	$ 4,929	$ 13,327	$ 8,933
Restructuring charges included in cost of sales	5,532	4,929	11,879	8,786
Restructuring charges included in selling, general and administrative expenses	$ 982	$ 0	$ 1,448	$ 147
Expected period of payments for remaining severance costs, lease impairments and other restructuring costs			five