Goodwill and intangible assets (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of goodwill

Goodwill:

	Mohawk			Dal-Tile		Unilin		Total
Balances as of December 31, 2011
Goodwill	$	199,132		1,186,913		1,316,555		2,702,600
Accumulated impairment losses	(199,132		)	(531,930	)	(596,363	)	(1,327,425	)
	$	—		654,983		720,192		1,375,175
Currency translation during the period	$	—		—		(11,819	)	(11,819	)
Balances as of June 30, 2012
Goodwill	$	199,132		1,186,913		1,304,736		2,690,781
Accumulated impairment losses	(199,132		)	(531,930	)	(596,363	)	(1,327,425	)
	$	—		654,983		708,373		1,363,356

Schedule of indefinite life assets not subject to amortization

Indefinite life assets not subject to amortization:	Tradenames
Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	450,432
Currency translation during the period	(5,896		)
Balance as of June 30, 2012	$	444,536

Schedule of intangible assets subject to amortization

Intangible assets subject to amortization:	Customer relationships			Patents		Other		Total
Balances as of December 31, 2011	$	64,958		88,544		1,166		154,668
Amortization during the period	(22,791		)	(9,408	)	(60	)	(32,259	)
Currency translation during the period	(191		)	(1,809	)	3		(1,997	)
Balances as of June 30, 2012	$	41,976		77,327		1,109		120,412

Schedule of intangible assets amortization expense

	Three Months Ended			Six Months Ended
	June 30, 2012		July 2, 2011	June 30, 2012	July 2, 2011
Amortization expense	$	15,998	17,975	32,259	35,374