Should I extend my baseboards up against the tub?

[Wephillips]

I’m leaning towards extending this baseboard so it ends at the tub, but thought I’d check with the hive mind first. Main reason is aesthetics. Baseboards are 3/4” thick and wife thinks it’s looks ugly for a baseboard to end at the transition to a much lower profile tile. That’s how we inherited our bathrooms. Another aesthetic reason is that the baseboard would cover the LVP as opposed to caulking between the LVP and tile (as pictured).

My concern is water. Baseboards are wood, and, as far as I know, over time, paint and caulking aren’t going to keep water from getting into the baseboard and/or between the baseboard and wall and tub. As you know, lots of water runs down edge of tubs where they meet the wall in an alcove like this.

Is there a way to extend that baseboard to the tub while keeping important things acceptably waterproof? Am I being over concerned with water? Or perhaps there’s a more stylish way to transition those baseboards into the tile?

BTW, against these walls I’lm using 4x12 porcelain vertical subway tiles in an off-white color that took my wife months to choose. Bullnose at the transition. She hates Schluter profiles.

 

[opplumbinghub]

I’m leaning towards extending this baseboard so it ends at the tub, but thought I’d check with the hive mind first. Main reason is aesthetics. Baseboards are 3/4” thick and wife thinks it’s looks ugly for a baseboard to end at the transition to a much lower profile tile. That’s how we inherited our bathrooms. Another aesthetic reason is that the baseboard would cover the LVP as opposed to caulking between the LVP and tile (as pictured).

My concern is water. Baseboards are wood, and, as far as I know, over time, paint and caulking aren’t going to keep water from getting into the baseboard and/or between the baseboard and wall and tub. As you know, lots of water runs down edge of tubs where they meet the wall in an alcove like this.

Is there a way to extend that baseboard to the tub while keeping important things acceptably waterproof? Am I being over concerned with water? Or perhaps there’s a more stylish way to transition those baseboards into the tile?

BTW, against these walls I’lm using 4x12 porcelain vertical subway tiles in an off-white color that took my wife months to choose. Bullnose at the transition. She hates Schluter profiles.

Extending the baseboard to the tub can improve the look, but water might cause damage. To prevent this, seal the edges with good caulk, use waterproof paint, or switch to materials like PVC that don’t absorb water. If you're worried about water, you could use a tile baseboard to match the wall or floor, or finish the baseboard neatly where it meets the tile. If Schluter profiles aren't your style, a clean tile edge or a small trim piece can give a smooth finish.

 

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[Fitter30]

Used three coats of exterior urethane sealer oil based on a cedar swing that has been outdoors for two years still looks new. For a under coat all surfaces.

 

[Reach4]

These are PVC baseboards etc: https://www.menards.com/main/search.html?search=pvc+baseboard

The odds of one being close enough to match your existing wood baseboard seems low.