Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs (Restructuring Reserve) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2013
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2013	$ 24,048
Provision	8,751	28,389
Cash payments	(20,444)
Non-cash items	(996)
Balance as of June 28, 2014	11,359
Period in which lease impairments, severance and other restructuring costs are expected to be paid	5 years
Lease Impairments [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2013	5,904
Cash payments	(2,744)
Non-cash items	0
Balance as of June 28, 2014	3,160
Asset Write-Down [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2013	0
Cash payments	0
Non-cash items	(1,220)
Balance as of June 28, 2014	0
Severance [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2013	18,144
Cash payments	(12,757)
Non-cash items	0
Balance as of June 28, 2014	8,172
Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2013	0
Cash payments	(4,943)
Non-cash items	224
Balance as of June 28, 2014	27
Ceramic Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	1,734
Ceramic Segment [Member] | Lease Impairments [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	0
Ceramic Segment [Member] | Asset Write-Down [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	1,220
Ceramic Segment [Member] | Severance [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	738
Ceramic Segment [Member] | Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	(224)
Laminate and Wood Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	7,017
Laminate and Wood Segment [Member] | Lease Impairments [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	0
Laminate and Wood Segment [Member] | Asset Write-Down [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	0
Laminate and Wood Segment [Member] | Severance [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	2,047
Laminate and Wood Segment [Member] | Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	$ 4,970