Vaulted Garage Ceiling

[Half-Mine]

Sorry if this question has been asked before, as I didn't get good search results. I have limited carpentry skills, being an electrician by trade. In an unfinished garage, I planned on beefing up my ceiling joists (currently 2x6s 32" on center) by adding 2x4s purpendicular to those, 16" on center. With that, a carpenter friend of mine claims I could remove the joists entirely, and add (excuse the potentially wrong terminology) ridge ties (horizontal supports a foot or two below the ridge) at every rafter. In addition to the added ridge ties, I would instal 2x4 inserts above the wall caps in every other stud bay. Nail these down to the wall, and from each stud bay. In doing so, I would be making a vaulted ceiling, which for my brewery would look amazing. My only concern is, does this seem like enough support to hang drywall on? If so, am I ok to use 1/2", as it will be on 16" centers? Or am I best off using 5/8"? I'm in a catch 22, as I'm balancing structural support with weight. Another potential concern would be moisture. We put off a decent bit with our setup, and though we will have a ventilation system running, should i be concerned about moisture inside the bays? Any help would be amazing. Pictures to follow if needed, and after all is done, to boast
~Cheers~

 

[jethro29]

do you mean something like mine?

 

[Half-Mine]

Similar, though my ceiling goes straight from the ridge ties to the walls. Less of a "tray" and more "vaulted". Nice lift by the way I have to settle for a beer making station!

 

[little d]

Mine, with rafters your main concearn is pushing out at the top of the walls. There are several factors ya gotta take into consideration; pitch (the flatter your roof, the more pushout), load (roofing materals, ceiling materals, snow, etc...), how it is built and what materals were used in building it. Your friend is somewhat right, ridge ties will lessen the pushout, but to what digree?

Take some pics of what ya have and we will see if we can advise ya as to what ya can and can not do.

 

[kbs2244]

You don’t say where you are located.
What your friend is suggesting can be done depending on what the snow load restrictions are in your local code.
Run his idea by the local inspector.