Marble tile on cement board is a very strong installation.
Cement board is a relatively new technology that combines fiberglass mesh with cement to create panels that can be cut and installed like drywall or plywood, but it is impervious to water. Laying marble tiles on cement board creates a very strong and waterproof installation if done correctly.
Establish a starting point for the marble. If the surface you are tiling from (floor, tub, counter) is not level, draw a line using the level approximately one and a half tiles above the surface. If you get lucky and the bottom surface is level, just use tile spacers to hold the marble one joint width off the bottom.
Mix thin-set in a bucket according to package directions. Allow it to sit for a few minutes and then remix. This allows the product to “slake,” meaning it absorbs some of the water and stiffens up. This will make it easier to spread.
Begin spreading the thin-set from the bottom up. Spread only enough for a couple of rows of tile. First, use the back, flat side of the trowel to push the thin-set into the cement board to ensure a good bond. Then rake the notched side back through so that there are ridges of thin-set on the cement board.
Make cuts for the bottom if necessary. If you drew a level line, make a cut of a half tile and determine where that is the perfect size cut for the bottom. Since you are laying the tiles level and the bottom isn’t level, the cuts will get bigger in one direction and smaller in the other. Marble tile is heavy and thin-set isn’t sticky like glue, so you need to be prepared to prop up the bottom row as you get started with your cuts.
Set your whole tiles either against the bottom or your line, depending on which you used. If setting against the line, use the level to make sure your tiles stay level and straight, and lay the cuts underneath as quickly as possible to keep them from sliding. Use the tile spacers to ensure a straight and uniform grout joint.
Continue spreading thin-set and installing up the wall. Once you have established the starting point, the rest of the wall will be easy. You should be able to spread and install three or four rows at a time until all whole tiles are installed to the top.
Measure and cut the remaining cuts at the sides and top as necessary. Butter the back of these with fresh thin-set to make sure you are getting a good bond and spread of mortar.
Wash excess mortar from the tiles and joints and allow the installation to dry for 24 hours. Remove any spacers sticking out of the joints. Mix the grout per manufacturer’s instructions. Spread it over the tiles and into the grout joints using the grout float. Use a clean damp sponge to wash excess grout from the tiles and smooth the joints at the same time. Allow the grout to set for an hour or so, then wash again with clean water. Buff with a dry, clean cloth as necessary.
Thin-set comes in white and gray. If you will be using white or light-colored grout, use white thin-set to make it easier to grout without gray mortar showing through.
You can use glue but will be giving up a lot of the strength and water resistance. Even type II adhesive will break down eventually under wet conditions.
Brooks, Darryl. "How to Lay Marble Wall Tiles on Cement Board." Home Guides | SF Gate, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/lay-marble-wall-tiles-cement-board-20692.html. Accessed 20 April 2019.