Segment Reporting (Summary Of Segment Information) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Apr. 02, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,409,035	$ 1,343,595
Intersegment sales	(21,194)	(17,817)
Operating income (loss)	71,976	56,084
Assets	6,399,194		6,206,228
Number of reporting segments	3
Mohawk [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	699,880	691,165
Operating income (loss)	25,282	17,040
Assets	1,820,785		1,769,065
Dal-Tile [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	392,925	344,415
Operating income (loss)	26,028	17,700
Assets	1,759,934		1,732,818
Unilin [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	337,424	325,832
Operating income (loss)	27,146	26,250
Assets	2,620,013		2,533,070
Corporate And Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)	(6,480)	(4,906)
Assets	$ 198,462		$ 171,275