Segment reporting (Summary of segment information) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012 segment	Oct. 01, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,473,493	$ 1,442,512	$ 4,352,321	$ 4,263,961
Intersegment sales	(24,409)	(23,363)	(68,965)	(63,956)
Operating income (loss)	103,954	91,464	283,648	249,248
Assets	6,302,612		6,302,612		6,206,228
Number of reporting segments			3
Mohawk [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	751,787	754,470	2,186,160	2,203,699
Operating income (loss)	43,810	30,946	106,228	79,187
Assets	1,760,828		1,760,828		1,769,065
Dal-Tile [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	417,533	381,891	1,214,746	1,105,775
Operating income (loss)	37,452	33,073	99,912	82,911
Assets	1,783,147		1,783,147		1,732,818
Unilin [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	328,582	329,514	1,020,380	1,018,443
Operating income (loss)	28,892	33,048	96,613	105,507
Assets	2,586,084		2,586,084		2,533,070
Corporate and Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)	(6,200)	(5,603)	(19,105)	(18,357)
Assets	$ 172,553		$ 172,553		$ 171,275