A paperboard core suitable for use in winding yarns may include strips of paperboard wrapped about an axis and secured together to form an elongate structure defining a winding surface. A coating of a polymer such as polyvinylidene chloride covers the winding surface. The coating may be applied to the strips of paperboard prior to winding and/or applied to the winding surface after winding. The coating may comprise multiple layers of the polymer, which may be cured individually. The coating may also be applied so as to create a substantially uninterrupted coating along the winding surface. One method of applying the coating is by roll-coating.