We have vinyl planking (the click kind) in our downstairs studio. Have never had trouble with scratching and there is no need for a chair mat. I liked it so much, I bought enough for my bathroom and my bedroom (replaced the carpet which was hard to maintain due to dog hair). We had laminate in the studio but it was destroyed when the uphill neighbor's water main was compromised and our downstairs was waterlogged. Vinyl planking can be taken out dried off and put back. Also easy to clean - dust mop works best in the studio.