The 5380 is part of our Monroe Collection and matches well with any of the Monroe Collection newel posts.  The 5380 has a square top and an elongated square bottom to allow for easy installation.  The 5380 is available as an Amish-made baluster in every wood species except Poplar and Primed White where it is made as a contractor grade baluster.  We are often asked what is the difference between Contractor Grade and Amish made.  Amish made balusters are made from hand-selected hardwoods and are individually hand-sanded to assure the very highest quality.  Amish made balusters are already finish sanded and ready to be stained.  Contractor Grade balusters are what most companies sell as their "premium" balusters.  The are made on high speed lathes that are hopper fed and then sent through a machine speed sander.  This process does not produce a good quality stain grade baluster, but most contractors accept this quality since it is what is available on the market.  The big name stair parts companies use speed lathes and machine sanding.  We offer contractor grade balusters (hi-speed machine made and sanded) in poplar and primed white since most contractors will use 2 coats of latex paint over the baluster, hiding the imperfections that our stain grade customers would not appreciate. The 5380 Baluster Matches the 6410 3 1/4 Pin Top Newel Post, 6420 3 1/4 Ball Top Newel Post, and the 6430 3 1/4 Ball Top Newel Post.