Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 02, 2010	Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 02, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,442,512	$ 1,309,552	$ 4,263,961	$ 4,056,874
Operating income	91,464	85,182	249,248	228,529
Assets	6,277,568		6,277,568		6,098,926
Number of reporting segment			3
Mohawk [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	754,470	713,481	2,203,699	2,177,646
Operating income	30,946	31,127	79,187	74,100
Assets	1,810,191		1,810,191		1,637,319
Dal-Tile [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	381,891	345,074	1,105,775	1,050,088
Operating income	33,073	33,913	82,911	77,432
Assets	1,735,718		1,735,718		1,644,448
Unilin [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	329,514	276,594	1,018,443	890,859
Operating income	33,048	24,640	105,507	93,434
Assets	2,569,103		2,569,103		2,475,049
Intersegment Sales [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	(23,363)	(25,597)	(63,956)	(61,719)
Corporate And Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	(5,603)	(4,498)	(18,357)	(16,437)
Corporate And Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	$ 162,556		$ 162,556		$ 342,110