Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs (Restructuring Reserve) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2014	$ 4,878us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Provision	6,657us-gaap_RestructuringCharges	4,661us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
Cash payments	(3,184)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
Non-cash items	(7,190)
Balance as of April 4, 2015	5,521us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Period in which lease impairments, severance and other restructuring costs are expected to be paid	4 years
Lease Impairments [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2014	1,741
Cash payments	(1,358)
Non-cash items	0
Balance as of April 4, 2015	2,260
Asset Write-Down [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2014	0
Cash payments	0
Non-cash items	(7,785)
Balance as of April 4, 2015	0
Severance [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2014	3,037
Cash payments	(1,256)
Non-cash items	0
Balance as of April 4, 2015	3,112
Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2014	100
Cash payments	(570)
Non-cash items	595
Balance as of April 4, 2015	149
Ceramic Segment [Member] \| Lease Impairments [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	0
Operating Segments [Member] \| Carpet Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	4,433
Operating Segments [Member] \| Carpet Segment [Member] \| Lease Impairments [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	1,877
Operating Segments [Member] \| Carpet Segment [Member] \| Asset Write-Down [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	2,556
Operating Segments [Member] \| Carpet Segment [Member] \| Severance [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	0
Operating Segments [Member] \| Carpet Segment [Member] \| Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	0
Operating Segments [Member] \| Ceramic Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	675
Operating Segments [Member] \| Ceramic Segment [Member] \| Asset Write-Down [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	869
Operating Segments [Member] \| Ceramic Segment [Member] \| Severance [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	0
Operating Segments [Member] \| Ceramic Segment [Member] \| Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	(194)
Operating Segments [Member] \| Laminate and Wood Segment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	5,909
Operating Segments [Member] \| Laminate and Wood Segment [Member] \| Lease Impairments [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	0
Operating Segments [Member] \| Laminate and Wood Segment [Member] \| Asset Write-Down [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	4,360
Operating Segments [Member] \| Laminate and Wood Segment [Member] \| Severance [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	1,331
Operating Segments [Member] \| Laminate and Wood Segment [Member] \| Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Provision	$ 218

Restructuring and Related Costs, Period In Which Costs Are Expected To Be Paid

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- Definition

Amount of cash payments made as the result of exit or disposal activities. Excludes payments associated with a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

+ References

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- Definition

Amount of expenses associated with exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses related to a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 5

-Section P

-Subsection 3, 4

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- Definition

Carrying amount (including both current and noncurrent portions of the accrual) as of the balance sheet date pertaining to a specified type of cost associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructuring pursuant to a duly authorized plan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

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-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b))

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- Definition

Amount of consideration other than cash used to fully or partially settle an accrued restructuring cost.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

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