Has anyone used torrified wood for exterior architectural woodwork that will be painted?

Are talking about thermo wood? As I understand, it was developed in Finland and there is only a handful of places in the USA that treat it.

I'd also love to hear if anyone has used it on an exterior application.

Bingaman lumber in Kraemer Pa processes this product. I don't see why it can't be painted, however they can provide more info I'm sure.
http://www.bingamanlumber.com

Why on earth would anybody pay for partially burned wood? Does it give the wood better rot resistant properties???

Joel,

That is the claim. I too would like to hear from someone that has used this product successfully for exterior woodwork over time. I have heard it said that strength values are reduced by this process. Anyone out there with answers? Bueller?

Kevin - I also would like to know more. I have heard the same things you have, mostly second hand, probably around Woodweb. As good woods for exterior work become harder to get, it would be dream to see a good alternative come onto the scene.

I did have a discussion with a shop in the Southeast US that used Accoya - the Australian Pine that is treated with an acetic acid solution (vinegar). They liked it and said it was only slightly different processes to work, and the finishing had some limitations. They were using it for shutters and windows - exterior work in Charleston SC.

He did mention the shop had the faint aroma of pickles, but that was about all they noticed different. I have priced it for a few jobs, but since it the about the same cost as Western Red Cedar, customers stuck with what they knew.

I did some work with the aforementioned company using this material. As explained to me, the wood is heated in a vacuum well beyond it's flashpoint, which changes it's cellular structure, this stabilizes it and prevents rot. This requires no chemicals. I worked with both ash and poplar which both turn an attractive chocolate brown due to the process. The wood machines well.
Again, I would recommend getting in touch with:
http://www.bingamanlumber.com
For more info. They are nice folks, and expert with the process.

Never heard back and still reluctant to use this for exterior work until I see some results of weathering.
Meanwhile I opted for much more expensive yellow cedar. Time tested and similar to old growth.

we have been using TM (thermally modified) ash for several years. the pros are: most stable material we have found, very rot resistant, mills well and priced less than mahogany. Con is that it is brittle. it is the only material that we'll make exterior screen doors with. it will not finish with water base paint, but otherwise finishes well. we also use it for cores for laminated stile exterior doors. it holds fasteners well as long as you pre drill. we have also done exterior hand rail and exterior radius work with laminated material. one job we did has max sun / weather and has been out there for about 4 years. it was hand rail and pickets on a large ipe deck. no news from builder, which in our neck of the woods means no probems. it greyed out just like the ipe.. my selling point for the material is "smells like bar b qued chicken and looks like walnut".