Or do I also use some sort of adhesive between the drywall and the cement board?
You can attach the board with screws, they make special screws for it, however those seem to tear through the webbing that adds strength to the cement board so I always use nails...use gavanized roofing nails, I normally use 1-1/2 roofing nails. Another option if it is just a kitchen wall or a back splash is using mastic and applying the tile right onto the drywall. You want to make sure if you put the tile on the sheetrock to use mastic and not thinset.
I think you use cement board instead of drywall.
Cement board is an alternative to regular drywall.It is great for bathrooms or any areas that may get damp like kitchen backsplash.I would remove the original drywall and replace it with the cementboard.If you do a good job grouting your tiles then you shouldnt need to change it to cementboard unless the drywall is damged.I tiled a backsplash 15 years ago on top of drywall and it still looks as good as the day I did it.
attach with screws or nails.
