Goodwill and intangible assets (Schedule of goodwill) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Apr. 04, 2015
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	$ 2,931,777us-gaap_GoodwillGross
Accumulated impairment losses	(1,327,425)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	1,604,352us-gaap_Goodwill
Goodwill recognized or adjusted during the period	2,659us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod
Currency translation during the year	(53,856)us-gaap_GoodwillTranslationAdjustments
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	2,880,580us-gaap_GoodwillGross
Accumulated impairment losses	(1,327,425)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	1,553,155us-gaap_Goodwill
Carpet Segment [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	199,132
Accumulated impairment losses	(199,132)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	0
Goodwill recognized or adjusted during the period	0
Currency translation during the year	0
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	199,132
Accumulated impairment losses	(199,132)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	0
Ceramic Segment [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	1,395,132
Accumulated impairment losses	(531,930)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	863,202
Goodwill recognized or adjusted during the period	0
Currency translation during the year	(1,185)
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	1,393,947
Accumulated impairment losses	(531,930)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	862,017
Laminate and Wood Segment [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	1,337,513
Accumulated impairment losses	(596,363)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	741,150
Goodwill recognized or adjusted during the period	2,659
Currency translation during the year	(52,671)
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	1,287,501
Accumulated impairment losses	(596,363)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	$ 691,138

Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35741047&loc=d3e13816-109267

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

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+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Section 50

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Amount before accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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Amount of increase (decrease) from foreign currency translation adjustments of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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