[gregpark]

Not sure what "section" refers to but the staggering of butt joints is important to the overall look. The rule of thumb is no butt joints on adjoining courses closer together than the width of a board. Also, if the material has varied shading from plank to plank (many do and it's a good look) I avoid putting 2 dark shaded boards together side by side. It'll look like a dark area in the over all floor. What you selected may be consistent in color though and the installers won't need to pay attention. The instructions could be referring to short starters or finishers but I never worry about that. I start or finish a course with a piece less than 8" all the time and have never had a call back because of it. All the field boards are probably all 4' long so no short sections possible