When it comes to the type of St Augustine in your yard, it can vary between neighbors. Depending on what the builder installed you may have Floratam, which gets ‘taller’ than the rest, or a semi dwarf type like Seville or Palmetto. The semi dwarf grass can be cut a bit lower than the recommended 4’’-5’’ for Floratam. The semi dwarf varieties of sod tend to tolerate the shade more than Floratam, but still require 5+ hrs of light to grow thick.