Sound Cedar
Sound Cedar Lumber is a privately-held, single-location specialty building materials retailer in Mount Vernon, WA, founded in 1980, offering Western Red Cedar, composite decking, fencing, siding, saunas, and outdoor cooking products to homeowners, contractors, and wholesale buyers across the Pacific Northwest.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1980
- HeadquartersMount Vernon, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Sound Cedar does
Sound Cedar Lumber is a privately-held, single-location specialty building materials retailer founded in 1980 and headquartered in Mount Vernon, Washington. The company operates an 8,000 sq ft showroom and 14,000 sq ft warehouse just off I-5, serving homeowners, contractors, and wholesale buyers across the Pacific Northwest (Skagit, Snohomish, Whatcom, Island, and King Counties) with delivery five days per week and weekly ferry service to the San Juan Islands. Its product offering centers on Western Red Cedar and a curated set of complementary lumber species (Douglas Fir, Pine, Japanese Cedar, Alaskan Yellow Cedar, Pressure Treated Hem-Fir), augmented by Deckorators composite decking, cedar and composite/vinyl fencing, Allura fiber cement siding, Accoya modified wood, Leisurecraft and Finlandia saunas, and Big Green Egg grills. The firm holds exclusive regional positions as the top Deckorators retailer across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho and the only Platinum Big Green Egg dealer in three counties.
The business generates revenue through one-time product sales via the retail showroom, quote-based pricing across most SKUs, and ancillary delivery/transaction fees. Go-to-market combines a physical showroom experience with a website featuring project galleries, Instagram and Facebook presence, community event participation, and an online quote inquiry form that routes leads to a small sales team. Under owner-operator Robert Desmarais, who acquired the business in 2018 after a 12-year tenure, the company has approximately six-fold expanded inventory and broadened its product mix into composites, premium modified woods, saunas, and outdoor cooking. There is no proprietary technology platform; the operation runs on conventional retail and logistics workflows supported by a team of roughly 14 staff.
Sound Cedar's strategic posture is that of a regional category specialist rather than a high-growth venture. Competitive advantage is anchored in supplier-anchored exclusivity, 45 years of community brand equity in the Skagit Valley, long-tenured staff expertise, and a logistics footprint that reaches island communities competitors do not regularly serve. The business is privately held with no external institutional investors, no disclosed funding rounds, and no AI, software, or platform technology components — its investment profile is that of a cash-generative, owner-operated specialty retailer with moderate organic growth rather than a scalable technology business.
Sound Cedar firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sound Cedar
- Legal name
- Sound Cedar Lumber
- Website
- https://soundcedar.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1980
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Sound Cedar Lumber is a privately-held, single-location specialty building materials retailer in Mount Vernon, WA, founded in 1980, offering Western Red Cedar, composite decking, fencing, siding, saunas, and outdoor cooking products to homeowners, contractors, and wholesale buyers across the Pacific Northwest.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sound Cedar industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Building Materials Retail
- SIC
- Retail-Lumber & Other Building Materials Dealers (5211)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Lumber & Timber Retail (Dimensional Lumber, Plywood, OSB) (CRAIAEAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Decking & Outdoor Structural Materials Retail (Composite, Railings, Posts) (CRAIAEAH)
Keywords
Where Sound Cedar is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mount Vernon
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Sound Cedar business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Lumber and Building Materials Sales: Core revenue from selling lumber products including Western Red Cedar, Douglas Fir, Pine, Japanese Cedar, Alaskan Yellow Cedar, Pressure Treated Hem-Fir, and specialty woods. One-time product sales with no recurring revenue component.
- Decking and Railing Products: Sales of composite decking (Deckorators), cedar decking, and railing products including aluminum, composite, cable, and glass options.
- Fencing Products: Cedar fencing materials, pre-built fence panels, split rail fencing, and composite/vinyl fencing from Greenwood Fence.
- Specialty Products: Sales of saunas (Leisurecraft, Finlandia), Big Green Egg grills, outdoor furniture, siding (Allura Fiber Cement, cedar), and accessories.
- Delivery Services: Delivery of building materials to job sites 5 days a week. Weekly ferry deliveries to San Juan, Orcas, Shaw, and Lopez Islands. Delivery charges may apply.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Dundalk Cedar Barrel Sauna starting price |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Deckorators Venture Decking sale price |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Sound Cedar product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sound Cedar is a single-location retail lumberyard in Mount Vernon, WA that sells Western Red Cedar and other specialty lumber species, composite and cedar decking, cedar and composite fencing, cedar and fiber cement siding, modified woods, railing systems, cedar saunas, Big Green Egg grills, and outdoor cedar furniture. Products are sold primarily through the 8,000 sq ft showroom with 5-day-a-week job-site delivery across the I-5 corridor and San Juan Islands.
Product overview
Sound Cedar Lumber is a building materials retailer specializing in cedar and outdoor construction products, founded in 1980 and located in Mount Vernon, WA. The company operates as a single-location lumberyard with an 8,000 sq ft showroom and 14,000 sq ft warehouse. Their product portfolio centers on Western Red Cedar as their core specialty, supplemented by diverse lumber types (Douglas Fir, Pine, Japanese Cedar, Alaskan Yellow Cedar, Pressure Treated Hem-Fir), composite decking (Deckorators brand - the top retailer in WA, OR, and ID), fencing materials (cedar and Greenwood composite/vinyl), siding (Allura fiber cement and cedar), modified wood (Accoya), outdoor cooking (Big Green Egg - ONLY Platinum dealer in the region), and wellness products (Leisurecraft and Finlandia saunas). The company also carries hardware, fasteners, stains, and miscellaneous building materials. Products are sold primarily through their showroom with delivery services throughout the I-5 corridor including San Juan Islands.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Western Red Cedar Lumber
Quantifiable outcome
- Cedar decks can last upwards of 20 years with proper maintenance, compared to average 11-year homeowner tenure
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Sound Cedar
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Sound Cedar technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Sound Cedar partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- DeckoratorscoreSound Cedar is the top retailer of Deckorators composite decking in WA, OR, and ID. They stock only Deckorators as their composite decking line, offering Surestone Technology mineral-based composite (MBC) and wood-plastic composite (WPC) deck boards. The partnership includes exclusive product lines and promotional pricing.
- Big Green EggcoreSound Cedar is the ONLY Platinum Big Green Egg dealer in Whatcom, Skagit, and Island counties. They have every size EGG on display in their Mount Vernon showroom and offer the biggest selection of Eggs and Accessories from the Canadian border to Snohomish.
- Allura (Fiber Cement Siding)majorAllura fiber cement products are among Sound Cedar's best-selling siding options. Products include lap siding, vertical panels, and shakes with 30-year limited warranty. Allura products are noncombustible with Class A fire rating.
- Accsys (Accoya Modified Wood)majorAccoya modified wood sold at Sound Cedar since 2007 launch. Manufactured by Accsys using proprietary acetylation process in Netherlands and Tennessee. Products include decking and cladding with 25-year (decking) and 50-year (siding) warranties.
- Greenwood FencemajorPartner with Greenwood Fence out of Addison, Illinois to offer extensive selection of high-quality composite and vinyl fences and gates. Products include premium aluminum gate options with 20-year warranty.
- LeisurecraftcoreLeisurecraft is a proudly Canadian manufacturer and one of North America's leading producers of premium saunas and outdoor wellness products. Products include Dundalk barrel saunas, Canadian Timber collection, cedar cold plunge tubs, and outdoor showers. All products backed by 5-year warranty.
- Finlandia SaunasmajorFinlandia Saunas, based in Portland, OR since 1964, provides quality heaters and accessories for building saunas. Products include Harvia steam heaters, wood-burning stoves, sauna doors, flooring, and accessories.
- Fraserview Cedar ProductsmajorPre-built cedar fence panels sourced from Fraserview Cedar Products out of British Columbia. Panels use three Western Red Cedar 2" x 4" back rails and 1x6 pickets with 'no-hole' to eliminate warp. Also offers new line with black metal accent designs.
- Mukilteo Cedar & MoreminorFamily owned and operated since 1989, Mukilteo Cedar & More provides handcrafted Western Red Cedar outdoor furniture including planters, trellises, chairs, tables, and outdoor decor sold at Sound Cedar.
- Simpson Strong-TieminorHardware supplier for fasteners and structural connectors. Products available at Sound Cedar for deck, fence, and construction projects.
- Cutek StainminorWood stain and finishing products available at Sound Cedar for maintaining cedar and other wood surfaces.
- Denali CedarminorSupplier of Alaskan Yellow Cedar products including decking, trim, siding, and patterns. Based in Springfield, OR.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Sound Cedar competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- 84 Lumber: Large national building materials retailer with 250+ locations. Comparable as a specialty lumber and building materials retailer serving contractors and DIY customers, though significantly larger and broader in scope than Sound Cedar.
- Carter Lumber: Regional building materials dealer serving pro contractors and homeowners in the Midwest and Eastern US. Directly comparable business model (lumberyard plus specialty building materials) with similar customer mix.
- McCoy's Building Supply: Family-owned building materials retailer across the South and Southwest with deep specialty lumber and pro contractor focus. Comparable in customer base and specialty service positioning.
- Builders FirstSource: Largest US supplier of building products to professional builders. Comparable as a lumber and building materials distributor; overlaps with Sound Cedar's contractor segment but operates at vastly larger scale with manufactured components.
- BlueLinx Holdings: National building products distributor with extensive specialty products portfolio including decking, siding, and engineered wood. Comparable in product breadth across the building materials categories Sound Cedar carries.
- Taiga Building Products: Canadian-based wholesale distributor of building products with strong Western Red Cedar and specialty lumber offerings. Comparable in cedar product mix and Pacific Northwest regional exposure.
Regional players
- Everett Builders Supply: Regional PNW lumber and building materials retailer serving contractors and homeowners in the greater Seattle area. Comparable product mix and customer segments, with overlapping geographic reach (Snohomish and King Counties overlap with Sound Cedar's delivery area).
Direct peers
- J&W Lumber: West Coast specialty lumber distributor with deep focus on Western Red Cedar, Douglas Fir, and specialty hardwoods. Closest comparable in product specialization on cedar species and premium lumber categories.
- Ames Brothers Cedar & Lumber: Family-owned Western Red Cedar specialty lumber retailer in the PNW, offering cedar fencing, decking, and siding. Comparable as a single-location specialty cedar retailer serving contractors and homeowners.
Others
- Accsys Technologies (Accoya): Manufacturer of Accoya modified wood, a key partner-supplier to Sound Cedar. Listed as an adjacent ecosystem participant that supplies a premium product line carried by Sound Cedar.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Sound Cedar social profiles
Digital presenceSound Cedar financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sound Cedar leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
Sound Cedar funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sound Cedar M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sound Cedar
What does Sound Cedar do?
Sound Cedar is a single-location retail lumberyard in Mount Vernon, WA that sells Western Red Cedar and other specialty lumber species, composite and cedar decking, cedar and composite fencing, cedar and fiber cement siding, modified woods, railing systems, cedar saunas, Big Green Egg grills, and outdoor cedar furniture. Products are sold primarily through the 8,000 sq ft showroom with 5-day-a-week job-site delivery across the I-5 corridor and San Juan Islands.
Is Sound Cedar a public or private company?
Sound Cedar is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Sound Cedar founded?
Sound Cedar was founded in 1980. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Sound Cedar based?
Sound Cedar is headquartered in Mount Vernon, United States, in the North America region.
How does Sound Cedar make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Lumber and Building Materials Sales are the primary driver. The others are decking and Railing Products, fencing Products, specialty Products and delivery Services.
Who are Sound Cedar's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are 84 Lumber, Carter Lumber, McCoy's Building Supply, Builders FirstSource, BlueLinx Holdings and Taiga Building Products. Everett Builders Supply is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are J&W Lumber and Ames Brothers Cedar & Lumber. Accsys Technologies (Accoya) is listed as an others.
Does Sound Cedar have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sound Cedar.
What industry is Sound Cedar in?
Sound Cedar's product category is Building Materials Retail. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAIAEAA, Lumber & Timber Retail (Dimensional Lumber, Plywood, OSB), with a secondary code of CRAIAEAH, Decking & Outdoor Structural Materials Retail (Composite, Railings, Posts). Its SIC code is 5211.