Segment reporting (Summary of segment information) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jul. 02, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012 segment	Jul. 02, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,469,793	$ 1,477,854	$ 2,878,828	$ 2,821,449
Intersegment sales	(23,362)	(22,776)	(44,556)	(40,593)
Operating income (loss)	107,718	101,700	179,694	157,784
Assets	6,264,777		6,264,777		6,206,228
Number of reporting segments			3
Mohawk [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	734,493	758,064	1,434,373	1,449,229
Operating income (loss)	37,136	31,201	62,418	48,241
Assets	1,791,376		1,791,376		1,769,065
Dal-Tile [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	404,288	379,469	797,213	723,884
Operating income (loss)	36,432	32,138	62,460	49,838
Assets	1,742,563		1,742,563		1,732,818
Unilin [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	354,374	363,097	691,798	688,929
Operating income (loss)	40,575	46,209	67,721	72,459
Assets	2,539,997		2,539,997		2,533,070
Corporate and Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)	(6,425)	(7,848)	(12,905)	(12,754)
Assets	$ 190,841		$ 190,841		$ 171,275