The Complete Guide to Stretch Hood Film
Stretch hood film has become the gold standard for securing heavy, high-stack pallets. This guide explains what it is, how it works, how it compares to the alternatives, and when it is the right choice for your operation.
What is stretch hood film?
Stretch hood film is a tube of highly elastic polyethylene that is cut, sealed into a hood, stretched open and pulled down over a palletised load. When released, it recovers tightly around all five sides — top and four faces — holding the load under constant tension. No heat is involved; the film’s own elasticity does the work.
How does stretch hooding work?
A stretch hood machine measures the load, forms a hood from tubular film, stretches it wide on four mechanical arms, lowers it over the pallet and releases. The result is a tight, smooth, fully contained pallet in seconds — ready for transport or outdoor storage.
Stretch hood vs shrink hood vs pallet wrap
Stretch hood
Highest load stability and a clean, weatherproof finish, with no heat tunnel and lower energy use. Secures the load with less film thanks to high recovery. Best for heavy, uniform, high-volume loads.
Shrink hood
Uses a heat tunnel to shrink film around the load. Conforms well to irregular loads but uses more energy and equipment.
Pallet wrap (stretch wrap)
Flexible and low-cost, applied by spiral wrapping. Ideal for lower volumes and mixed loads, but offers less top protection than a hood.
When should you choose stretch hoods?
- Heavy, high-stack loads — cement, fertiliser, chemicals, building materials
- Outdoor or yard storage where weather protection matters
- High-volume lines where energy and film savings add up
- Loads where clean presentation and full-pallet branding matter
Are stretch hoods more sustainable?
Often, yes. Stretch hooding needs no heat tunnel, so it uses less energy than shrink hooding, and high-recovery film secures the same load with less plastic. For high-volume operations, that adds up to a meaningful reduction in both cost and footprint.
The bottom line
If your loads are heavy, repetitive and exposed, stretch hoods deliver the most stable, weatherproof and energy-efficient pallet. Gundle manufactures stretch hood film in Germiston, matched to your machine and load.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is stretch hood film?
Stretch hood film is an elastic polyethylene hood that is stretched over a palletised load and recovers tightly around all five sides, holding the load under constant tension without any heat.
Is stretch hood better than shrink hood?
For heavy, uniform, high-volume loads, stretch hood usually wins — it gives higher stability, a weatherproof finish, lower energy use and less film. Shrink hood conforms better to very irregular loads.
Does stretch hooding use less plastic?
Yes. High-recovery stretch hood film secures the load using less material per pallet, and the process uses no heat tunnel, lowering both plastic and energy use.