By using the right kind of materials and tools it is possible for you to tile over the tub flange with ease and efficiency.
Tile over tub flange.
Fill the gap between the tile and the tub with caulk.
You may have to cut the bottom row which is normal but it will give you a custom finish all the way down to the tub edge.
After you finish the wall install the bottom row.
The best approach when installing cement board or other tile backer around a tub is to keep the cement board out of the lip area.
Above the lip of the tub.
Most three sided tubs will have a tile flange raising upwards from those three sides.
Check if you need to adjust this mark to avoid laying slivers of tile at the top and bottom.
Apply it to the wall with the bottom edge about 1 4 in.
Then apply a generous amount of thin set to the bottom bathtub tile and position it 1 8 in.
Start your first row just about less than a full tile above the tub edge by using a level straight edge tacked to the wall.
1 8 from the front edge of the densshield by the way the tub manufacturer oceania in quebec is adamant about no mechanical fasteners in or above the tile flange only silicone to the studs painters tape the tub then fill gap and onto the densshield with kerdi fix then apply kerdi tape and smooth out after drying redgard as much as possible.
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That flange needs to be covered or it will look pretty strange.
That means building a small wall down on that end of the tub that comes up and wraps over the tile flange with tile.
I plan to add to 3 8 spacers on the studs at flange area so as to bring the front of the tile flange just back approx.
They are also easy to clean and can be found in numerous styles colors and sizes.
Use your silicone along this seam.
Divide the dimension in half and make a mark there.
And it lasts for 20 years.
Maybe cap it off with similar material as your countertop.