These shingles carry an Underwriters Laboratories Class "A" fire rating (the highest), while wood shingles are being banned all over because of fire danger. Elk shingles are made of two rugged plies of asphalt, reinforced with an Ultra-Mat fiberglass base to avoid problems like warping, curling and rotting as well as to seal out rain, sleet, snow, ice and wind. Best of all, they are less expensive than wood or shake.