Cantilever Deck Reinforcement

We are in need of an expert structural engineer to help reinforce two cantilever decks in an Oakland hills residence. The upper deck is supported by four massive glue-lam cantilevers and two knee braces that are more than adequate for the loads. The small lower deck has two similar cantilevers.

The main concern is that the outdoor portion of these glue-lams could lose integrity over time. They seem fine since construction in 1992, but perhaps not forever. The main idea is to reinforce the four beams with sufficient iron (pick your metal) to carry their loads if any of these beams should weaken. The beams are generally accessible indoors (with sheetrock clad or above closets).

We would also like to re-do the deck surface and railing once the above is resolved. We're open to the possibility that removing the current deck surface comes first to more fully expose the beams.

We want to avoid the solution that adds four vertical supports and concrete piers outside. We investigated that and it's both ugly and expensive.

We want a professional engineer who has past experience with reinforcing similar cantilevers subject to Oakland city inspections. The new desk surface may need some architectural redesign, but we'll keep it generally square and simple.