Commitments, contingencies and other (Restructuring activity) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 10,355
Provision	8,222	0
Cash payments	(5,685)
Non-cash items	(37)
Ending balance	12,855
Lease Impairments [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	7,457
Cash payments	(703)
Non-cash items
Ending balance	6,754
Asset Write-Down [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	0
Cash payments	0
Non-cash items	(37)
Ending balance	0
Severance [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	2,898
Cash payments	(4,145)
Non-cash items	0
Ending balance	6,101
Other Restructuring Costs [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	0
Cash payments	(837)
Non-cash items
Ending balance	0
Mohawk Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	6,218
Mohawk Segment [Member] | Lease Impairments [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	0
Mohawk Segment [Member] | Asset Write-Down [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	0
Mohawk Segment [Member] | Severance [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	5,892
Mohawk Segment [Member] | Other Restructuring Costs [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	326
Dal Tile Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	463
Dal Tile Segment [Member] | Lease Impairments [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	0
Dal Tile Segment [Member] | Asset Write-Down [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	37
Dal Tile Segment [Member] | Severance [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	0
Dal Tile Segment [Member] | Other Restructuring Costs [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	426
Unilin Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	1,541
Unilin Segment [Member] | Lease Impairments [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	0
Unilin Segment [Member] | Severance [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	1,456
Unilin Segment [Member] | Other Restructuring Costs [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	$ 85