Hello, we are sorry that these newels did not meet your expectations, and hope that it did not cause delays in completing your project. These newels are, indeed, solid red oak. They are made of three plies of solid red oak, laminated together to increase their lifespan and stability, reducing the chance of twisting, warping, or checking. If these newels were made from one piece of solid red oak, the newel would be subject to fluctuating humidity levels, and may twist or warp resulting in an unsafe handrail system. Again, we apologize that your expectations were not met, and we hope you find the right product for your project. Thank you.