Goodwill and intangible assets - Schedule of goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2017 USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	$ 3,601,851
Accumulated impairment losses	(1,327,425)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	2,274,426
Currency translation during the period	18,681
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	3,620,532
Accumulated impairment losses	(1,327,425)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	2,293,107
Operating segments | Global Ceramic segment
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	1,482,226
Accumulated impairment losses	(531,930)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	950,296
Currency translation during the period	7,790
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	1,490,016
Accumulated impairment losses	(531,930)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	958,086
Operating segments | Flooring NA segment
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	869,764
Accumulated impairment losses	(343,054)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	526,710
Currency translation during the period	0
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	869,764
Accumulated impairment losses	(343,054)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	526,710
Operating segments | Flooring ROW segment
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	1,249,861
Accumulated impairment losses	(452,441)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	797,420
Currency translation during the period	10,891
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	1,260,752
Accumulated impairment losses	(452,441)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	$ 808,311