Goodwill and intangible assets - Schedule of goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	$ 3,798,884
Accumulated impairment losses	(1,327,425)	$ (1,327,425)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	2,471,459
Goodwill recognized during the period	101,184
Currency translation during the period	(50,504)
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	3,849,564
Accumulated impairment losses	(1,327,425)	(1,327,425)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	2,522,139
Global Ceramic segment
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	1,567,872
Accumulated impairment losses	(531,930)	(531,930)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	1,035,942
Goodwill recognized during the period	0
Currency translation during the period	(15,842)
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	1,552,030
Accumulated impairment losses	(531,930)	(531,930)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	1,020,100
Flooring NA segment
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	869,764
Accumulated impairment losses	(343,054)	(343,054)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	526,710
Goodwill recognized during the period	5,184
Currency translation during the period	0
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	874,948
Accumulated impairment losses	(343,054)	(343,054)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	531,894
Flooring ROW segment
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	1,361,248
Accumulated impairment losses	(452,441)	(452,441)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	908,807
Goodwill recognized during the period	96,000
Currency translation during the period	(34,662)
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	1,422,586
Accumulated impairment losses	(452,441)	$ (452,441)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	$ 970,145